LETTER FROM THE “MOTHERS” IN DEFENSE OF THE CHILDREN

LETTER FROM THE “MOTHERS” IN DEFENSE OF THE CHILDREN

A reorganization of the homes in Bela Tsrkva took place at the beginning of October 1949, during which the smaller dormitory buildings were closed down and the children were moved to other major centres which, in the meantime, had been renovated and refurbished.

The first children’s home in Bela Tsrkva housed 45 girls ages 11 to 14 years old. The teachers assigned to these children were Giurgievka Siiki (main teacher) and Stoia Iankovska. The caregivers assigned were Mara Shteger (main), Elena Eftova and Tomania Bozhinovska. Hosting duties at the home were assigned to Mihailo Atanasov.

The second children’s home housed 71 male and 81 female children ages 9 to 11. The administrator of this home was the teacher Dobila Iovanovska. The main teacher was Militsa Michin and the teachers were Fania Terzievska and Katina Markova. Appointed caregiver was Radmila Obrenov and host was Kiro Donev.

The third children’s home in Bela Tsrkva housed 60 boys, ages 13 to 14. The administrator of this home was the teacher Liubitsa Ugrinovich. The main teacher was Ielena Karanovich. The caregiver was Emilia Veselinovich and the host of this home was Petar Pashinov.

The fourth children’s home housed 223 boys and girls ages 9 to 13. This home was administered by teacher Ikonia Rosich. The main teacher was Vukosava Ianokovich and the other teacher was Vasilka Grozdanova. The caregiver was Margita Paunovich and the host was Tasho Bozhinov.

The fifth children’s home housed 90 children. The administrator was Melania Despotovich. The other teacher was Tronda Petkova. The caregiver was Aurelia Vasich and the host was Lazar Karaiovanov.

The first clinic had 27 hospital beds and was administered by Vane Ranelov. The second clinic had 11 rooms and 46 beds.

It can be seen from this that there was huge concern for the health and protection of the refugee children who were placed in these facilities and children’s homes in Bela Tsrkva.

After the Greek teachers, educators and caregivers left the children’s homes in Bela Tsrkva a completely new environment was created for the refugee children. An elementary school and a high school (gymnasium) were opened which taught in the native Macedonian language. The Government of the People’s Republic of Macedonia, to this end, acquired more qualified teachers and placed them in these educational institutions. Kosta Markovski was appointed manager of the schools. Rizhitsa Bura was appointed assistant manager of the Red Cross central administration homes in Bela Tsrkva.

It is interesting to note that those conducting the Informburo propaganda campaign, which forced the Greek party figures and the committee for child assistance (EVOP) to act negatively, never did investigate or contribute to finding the truth. They not only put pressure on the children, pushing them to seek going to Czechoslovakia, but used all kinds of means to vilify the Macedonian cadres and “mothers” who worked in the children’s homes in Bela Tsrkva.

Even though they and the children were placed in a difficult situation, these cadres and “mothers” refused to be discouraged by these Informburo lies and slander spread through propaganda. Fifteen “mothers”, who were also teachers and educators, signed a letter and sent it to the Yugoslav Red Cross in Belgrade.

Here is what the letter said:

“Recently we were contacted by Bulkes and told that the children will have to go to Czechoslovakia. We do not want that at any cost. Between us and the children there is fear. We have traveled and suffered enough. Here we have peace and a good life. Yugoslavia is

taking care of us and treating us and the children like family. The parents of these children in Greece entrusted us to bring them to Yugoslavia. Therefore we are the only authority who can speak on their and on their parent’s behalf. You have the power to stop Bulkes from sending us to other countries. We want to stay here and help educate the children in their native language. We who have our own groups of children want to remain with them. Please do not allow anyone, except the Red Cross, to interfere in our affairs. We will stay here with the children and we will go only if Yugoslavia does not want us to be here.

Please reply to us soon so that we can assure ourselves and the children that everything will be okay and that this problem will be solved as per our request. All the women and girls in all the homes here agree with this plea.”

The letter was dated August 27, 1949, Bela Tsrkva.

The following people signed on behalf of the parents and children:

Stoia Jankovska, Krsta Tashevska, Olga Zdravkovska. Kata Milankova, Fania Terzievska, Vasilka Delova, Elena Eftova, Tronda Petkova, Tomania Bozhinovska, Iana Ianchova, Vasilka Grozdanova, Tsila Mishevska, Elena Shulevska, Tsela Kuleova and Elena Delova.

As was mentioned earlier, several student sections functioned successfully in the primary school “Gotse Delchev” and in the high school “Kolishevski”, catering to the educational needs of the children in the homes. Included among the various sections was a physical education section, a gymnastics section, a hygiene section, an intellectual and artistic section, a choir section, a music and folklore section, a rhythmic dancing and ballet section, a drama and art section, a modeling section, a history section, a geography section and a biology section.

In 1950 members of the physical education section participated in four friendly football games and three chess matches between the refugee children and the students from the middle school in Bela Tsrkva.

Members of the history section put on a festive celebration for Ilinden and for the New Year. They also occasionally held literary reading sessions.

In 1950 the choral section, consisting of 74 members, competed in several festivities. In its repertoire it had 14 choral songs, 4 solo songs and 4 duets. It sang the songs in the Macedonian language.

In 1950 the folklore section, consisting of 42 members, put on 14 Macedonian folk dances. The children’s folk costumes which were used during the performances were tailor made to accurately reflect those worn in Aegean (Greek occupied) Macedonia. The folklore section performed in Skopje and Belgrade, and many times performed for the citizens in Bela Tsrkva.

In 1950 the ballet section, consisting of 72 members, along with members from the music and folklore and choir sections competed in events in Belgrade and Skopje.

In 1950 the drama club, consisting of 75 members, prepared 6 plays, 18 recitations in the Macedonian language and 10 in the Serbo-Croatian language.

In 1950 the art section, consisting of 36 members, painted over 100 images and participated in various children’s shows. Some of the art work was sent abroad.

We can say that much had been achieved in cultural and entertainment events with significant results. In January, February and March of 1950, for example, 11 performances had been put on in Bela Tsrkva alone by members of these sections.

As a result of the quality programs achieved, in May 1950 members of several sections in Bela Tsrkva organized a tour during which they visited Belgrade and Skopje where they showed off their cultural and artistic talents. The total number of participants in the tour was 116. The tour itself lasted 15 days.

On May 13 and 14, 1950 two shows were put on at the University of Kolarchev. The performances were filmed and a documentary was created. One of the events was broadcast over the radio.

On May 18 to 22, 1950 members of the cultural and artistic group from Bela Tsrkva performed in Skopje. They put on four performances.

Many members from most sections participated in numerous events at various festivities organized in Bela Tsrkva, during all the years the children were there.