Snapshot of a life: Bekim Greku
Bekim Greku at home with his family.
Photo: CWS
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Bekim Greku and his family fled from Kosovo to Serbia in 1999. Before the violence forced his family to flee, he worked as a locksmith. The family lived in a big house in Mitrovica, and Bekim had a steady and decent salary, which allowed him to take good care of his family.
Today Bekim Greku, 39, and his wife Aisha, 32, live in a small rented house in one of the illegal settlements in the Zemun district of Belgrade. The cardboard-roof house has only one room and a tiny attached kitchen. The couple has four sons, ranging in age from 71/2 to 14, and Bekim's mother also lives with them.
The main furniture in the house is an old wood-burning stove. Yet very often the family does not have enough money to buy wood for the stove. Recently Bekim negotiated with his neighbors, and they are allowing him to connect to their water source. However, this water is not good for drinking. It can be used only for washing and cleaning purposes.
Three of the Greku sons attend to Branko Pesic Primary School. Bekim needs to cover school expenses for his children, but he often doesn’t have the money. He works temporary jobs--often several a day--to provide for his family, but there are days when no jobs are available, especially during the winter.
Despite his poverty, Bekim Greku is an active and supportive parent. Having completed secondary school himself, he understands the value of education in modern society. He is in good communication with the school and is fully aware of his children's school developments. He wants his eldest son, who is very good at computers, to continue secondary education, but the money to fund his children's education is difficult to make.
Bekim wants his children to be educated and grow into productive and respected members of society. Despite daily survival challenges, Bekim remains a good parent and husband--loving, caring, and supportive.
Bekim has his locksmith skills. All he needs is some assistance that will allow him to purchase tools to use his skills. Then he will be able to earn an income for his family and enable his children to remain in school.