There are returnees investing their experience and money earned abroad in their homeland. Such is the case of Darko Bojkić, who has returned from Switzerland to the village of Jablanica at the foot of Majevica after more than twenty years.

Darko kept Majevica close to his heart when he left for Switzerland as an eight-year-old. He always saw his future in the Republic of Srpska. He has returned and has no regrets, because freedom, according to him, has no price.

‘I’m in my house, nobody can touch me, that’s the biggest advantage, because you don’t worry whether you lost your job or got a job,’ says Darko Bojkić.

He decided to apply the work experience gained in a Swiss utility company in his birthplace. They purchase and collect plastic, glass, paper, cardboard and nylon.

He started the business courageously together with his wife Milena, so the company has a symbolic name: Hrabrost (courage).

They invested almost 45 thousand marks in building the hall, purchasing the machinery and equipment.

‘We started, we invested, we hope it turns out well,’ says Darko.

‘We collect from 4.5 to 5 tons of cardboard and about 2.5 tons of plastic per month, that’s collection only,’ adds Milena.

‘Survival is possible in the countryside and anywhere in the Republic of Srpska. I am very satisfied with my life here,’ says Milena.

In their pioneering venture, they received assistance from the Impakt investment foundation and support from the municipality, which is involved in two waste sorting projects.

‘The citizens and residents of our municipality need to understand that this is the project of all of us, of every household, every house, and without them it cannot be implemented,’ says Rado Savić, the head of the municipality of Lopare.

‘The amount of waste has been reduced significantly, by about thirty tons, in total terms. We were met with a very good response from the locals,’ says Željko Đokić, director of PUC Čistoća, Lopare municipality.

‘Waste can be used, it can bring some money, and finally Lopare are cleaner and more beautiful,’ says Slobodan Simikić, director of Lopare Tourism Organization.

So far, the Bojkić family has collected nine tons of cardboard and 3.5 tons of plastic and delivered it to the recycling centre in Banja Luka, from which they signed out a press and waste sorting bins. Just one ton of plastic requires collecting 22,000 bottles, but they have no doubts about the success of the family firm. The plan is to expand the operation, and their ultimate goal is waste recycling.

Source and photo: Radio Television of Serbia