Slavica and Đorđe Đurić are simple people living in Brčko. This is the second marriage for both of them, and they have been together for 15 years. Together, they have found stability and security that they did not have before in life.
Đorđe does not have children from his first marriage, while Slavica has three children and four grandchildren. However, today, the two of them are raising a little boy who loves to splash around in the crooked pool in front of their unfinished house.
„I saw a little child by the dumpster. He was covered in scabs and his legs were bloody. I don’t know, I can’t explain it, tears started flowing… The Social Services were nearby and I ran to them with the child in my arms, screaming. The police arrived, and we immediately went to the hospital. They estimated he was around 10-11 months old. The child was exhausted, he was… I don’t know. He was in the hospital for a couple of days. It was horrifying. Truly horrifying. Really horrifying,“ Slavica shared.
During this time, Đorđe was at work, and Slavica called him in distress to tell him what had happened.
„Slavica, just bring him home,“ Đorđe said. „The child cannot be on the street. If they have already thrown him on the street, he will not stay on the street, he will be with us,“ he added kindly.
Meanwhile, it was discovered that the boy’s name is Ismar, and his parents clearly do not want him. However, the Đurićs have not officially adopted him, even though they would like to do so very much.
„Well, the court has to decide. What will happen, how it will happen – I don’t know. I want him to stay. Even though I have my own, I have been raising him since he was little,“ Slavica said.
When asked if she loves him as a child or grandchild, she said she does not even know.
„Both. When it’s time to go to bed, he kisses me, kisses him (Đorđe), and we go to sleep. I want him to stay,“ Slavica said, with Đorđe adding, „He is my soul. I cannot describe it. This child has grown attached to my heart and ours. And simply, we cannot be without him anymore. We will give everything, even our lives, if necessary.“
Asked how they reacted when they found out that little Ismar comes from a Muslim family, they say it never mattered to them.
„We did not ask who he is or what he is. We did not even ask what religion he is. And now I don’t even ask today who is what, especially when it comes to children like this,“ Slavica said, and Đorđe added, „I grew up in a time when we were young pioneers, when we had work brigades, when nationality was the last thing that mattered. Actually, it wasn’t even a question then. Now that time is coming again for people to realize that we rely on others and that nationality has no relevance. If we are humans – let us be human. As Patriarch Pavle said, let’s just be human. The child is growing up in an Orthodox family and will not feel neglected on any basis. He sleeps among us, first kisses his grandmother, then kisses his uncle Đorđe.“
As for why little Ismar does not address them as mom and dad or grandma and grandpa, Đorđe says he does not want that.
„I do not allow any illusions because psychologically, it would cost him later. Let him know right away, let him know his truth. It is not easy for me when the child comes back from the playground and says that his friend left with his mom, and then asks where his mom is. That hurts me. I tell him that his mom will come and that she is not here right now. I lie and cry. It’s difficult. It’s difficult when a person realizes that he may leave one day. That will be my end, more or less,“ Đorđe said.
