The Croatia You Dont See - Lessons From The Past

Meet Špiro, a resilient man living in the nearly deserted village of Štikovo, Croatia. Despite facing significant challenges due to his disability, Špiro endures life in poverty with only a modest monthly contribution from the government to sustain him.

In my recent YouTube video, I shared a glimpse into Špiro's daily struggles and the harsh conditions he faces. While we do our best to support him with food donations and fuel for heating, there's so much more we can do together to improve his quality of life.

Just eight years ago, Špiro finally gained access to basic amenities that many of us take for granted—an indoor shower and toilet, sparing him from the harsh cold. He now has running water thanks to a pumped system connected to a well. Previously, Špiro had to fetch water with buckets and heat it by hand just to wash himself, if he could manage at all.

Your generous contributions can make a real difference in Špiro's life. Together, we can enhance his living conditions and provide him with the dignity and comfort he deserves. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us bring hope and a better future to Špiro.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

Join me on a heartfelt journey as I return to my grandfather's village in Croatia. Witness the challenging living conditions that many still face, including the use of an outside toilet and reliance on well water. Experience a glimpse into the simple, yet tough lifestyle that persists, with homes lacking basic amenities like carpets. This trip is all about embracing my roots and shedding light on the realities of rural life in Croatia. Don’t miss this eye-opening adventure!

Croatian Description:

Pridružite mi se na emotivnom putovanju dok se vraćam u djedovo selo u Hrvatskoj. Svjedočite izazovnim životnim uvjetima s kojima se mnogi još uvijek suočavaju, uključujući korištenje vanjskog toaleta i oslanjanje na vodu iz bunara. Doživite uvid u jednostavan, ali težak način života koji i dalje postoji, s kućama koje nemaju osnovne pogodnosti poput tepiha. Ovo putovanje posvećeno je prihvaćanju mojih korijena i osvjetljavanju stvarnosti života na selu u Hrvatskoj. Ne propustite ovu otvarajuću avanturu!

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[TruhliAhmo]

Such a profound content.. thank you Dusan. The war slowed us down considerably but we can turn things around. You prove it by coming back (or going forward).

[sonjavukoja]

Hapiness is in scarcity, modesty, humility, silence, appreciation, self control, loving and giving ! Most of today's living people can't apprehend this ... Hvala Dušane za još jedan sjajan video !

[australiaprisonisland]

Both my parents are from Montenegro and it looks so similar to their circumstances growing up. It's poverty which is why they left but they had a great loving community spirit and a very beautiful natural environment. A tough life makes tough people.

[michaellipohar]

Great video. Thank you for showing the other side of Croatia

[cosmozh]

Hi Dušan, I really love beautiful Dalmatian Zagora. My wife was born there and wee will be there whole September.
I’m often by the Peruća lake, Vrlika, Sinj, Drniš. I love to discover area riding on my motorbike.
Amazing place and lovely people, god food and vine.
Kindest regards from 🇨🇭

[kriswujko]

Very good video I have a old house like this I stared fixing it

[truxy]

damn dude. I randomly had your channel recommended and this is the first video I clicked out of curiosity. My dad and his family are from the same village, I've been here multiple times

[ivangri]

Dušan, for me this is the best type of videos you should be uploading! Thank you so much! It’s a real eye-opener, because it shows us the true meaning of life, and that is to be generous, and to help one another, and to live like brothers and sisters! Thank you again, and maybe you could make some new videos with the similar stories… pozdrav is Osijeka brate 😊…

[michellebaresic]

How true! She gave you what they have. Beautiful hospitality.

[annagaspar]

Natural beauty of Croatia is undeniable . Not much effort was required on our part for this beauty the standards of living, opportunities, capacity capabilities this is on all of us. Much work is needed in this area in Croatia and everywhere. We all need to rise up and not allow any fear factor to keep us stuck.. in general poor share far more, for they tend be less selfish..should always focus on what can I do to make it better???

[Munzic]

One of your best videos yet! This was an eye opening experience. Reminds me when my family lived in Cuba.

[knjiggaofficial]

Life in the countryside of Dalmatia was horribly hard and it made very hard people

[hc]

It’s sad but so true. Those who have little, give loads. My Cro husband gives away almost everything.. though he often laments how everyone takes but those that can, don’t give.

[bojangles]

This resonates so much with me also. Some of my family in serbia especially the ones who fled the war to Serbia had absolutely nothing but would literally give you the shirt on their back and save sweets and drinks for guests. Then Go back to Australia and people can be tight, Not warm and welcoming to guests not even a glass of water. While I sit in my mates bedroom while they ate dinner. I get enjoyment by giving rather than taking but every culture is different. Nice one brate

[Phiyedough]

It is similar in my area of Croatia. Even on hot summer days I often see smoke coming from chimneys and I'm guessing it is their only way to heat water for washing clothes or whatever. My place did have a bathroom but there was no septic tank, just a pipe dumping waste onto a field.

[helenavidovic]

❤❤❤ Hvala Ti lijepa za predobar video.. Lp od Helene iz australije

[nomchenikoloski]

👏 upravo si ranie nije bilo para ali smo bili happy sada nema respect a imamo sve😊

[jovanmalic]

Very nice and educational video for those who never saw poverty like this. There is also people in ex Yu countries who still don't have electricity to this day. Also, kudos for speaking good Serbian even though you're third generation of your family living in England, if I got it right.

[jtothed]

Reminds me a lot of going back to Herzegovina

[milansavic]

From what I see, your family from Croatia are Serbs...
Did Shpiro stayed there for the whole time during the war or he had to flee.!?
Probably thats why is so hard for him...
A lot if Serbs left and never returned.