OUR PRIDE: Jovan (8) sells raspberries by the road to buy books for school (PHOTO)

Jovan gets up in 6 in the morning, he waters the raspberries, and then gatheres them with his sister and takes them by the road

Boy Jovan Gajic (8) stands entire day by the road in the place called Sitnica na Manjaci offering raspberries to the people. Many stop, talk to him, take pictures and, of course, buy them. Jovan is not bothered with great hear, he tells that the raspberries were planted by nearby house by their parents Bozana and Milos, but all chores were taken over by him and his older sister Jovana. 

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- I gather money for books and to start school. I plan on buying a new school bag, and mom promised to take me to Banjaluka. She said that i can find all sorts of stuff there, and i am happy about it - the boy said his motives for gathering without hesitations, he packs them and offers them almost rip, but juicy raspberries.

He finished second grade of elementary school "Petar Kocic" in Sitnica, and he has most top grades in his report card. He earned high marks for his determination and his work during the summer to provide better conditions for schooling, with his own hands. 

- I get up around 6 every morning, i water the plants, and then i pick the raspberries with my sister and take them by the road. I have a wooden table there, an umbrella and a bottle with water - describes this boy his "workplace" by the hot road which is refreshed by mountain breeze from time to time.

- Everybody ask something, say something - where did you get that hat, would you sell it, how old are you, how are your grade... The people who are passing by are asking me anything, and i answer - retells this boy with the black hat, with blond hairs and pure, curious eyes that are focused on the road where cars pass by in a rush from Banjaluka towards Mrkonjic city and Kljuc, and further to the Adriatic sea.

- I don't know how much i earned so far. I give all the money to my mother, and she puts it away somewhere. I only know that one cup of raspberries is 5 marks. That is not much. No one complains, they just laugh and pay. Sometimes, they give me more... My raspberries are sweet, you don't need to add sugar, for sure - Jovan assures us praising his products while dark red juice slides among his fingers and palms to the back of his elbows.

While we talked with Jovan Gajic about summer vacation, school, sheep and cows that overflow Manjaca and recent gathering honoring Petar Kocic, he revealed his secret to us.

- I would love to learn to drive a "Yugo", this one by the house, but my dad still doesn't let me. He said that its enough i know how to drive a bicycle. But bike is nothing for me. And there are kids that know how to plow with a tractor. I wish i could plant a field of raspberries and bring them with "yugo" to Banjaluka market. That would be really good - said Jovan.

(Telegraf.co.uk / source: istinito.com)