Kerol iz Kenije došla je u Srbiju preko agencijskog programa za sezonske poslove u poljoprivredi.
Sremska Mitrovica – Mnogi nikada neće obići Afriku, ali Afrikanci u Srbiji donose svoja iskustva i uče nas o svetu. Jedna od njih je Kerol iz Kenije, čije iskustvo u Sremu i Srbiji pokazuje koliko upornost, hrabrost i prilagodljivost mogu biti ključni za novi početak.
Caroline Reno – Kerol je, sa svojih 31 godinu, napustila rodnu Keniju i upustila se u nepoznato. Pre dolaska u Srbiju, bila je preduzetnica u Keniji, bavila se prodajom kućnih potrepština i transferom novca. Kada joj je posao počeo da opada, odlučila je da istraži mogućnosti rada u inostranstvu.
“Želela sam da radim međunarodno, ali putovanja u SAD, Kanadu ili Australiju su bila previše komplikovana. Onda sam pronašla Srbiju – zemlju poznatu po gostoprimstvu i gde se može dobiti vizu za šest meseci sa minimalnim zahtevima,” kaže Carol.
Dolazak u Srbiju realizovan je preko agencijskog programa koji zapošljava radnike za sezonske poslove u poljoprivredi. “Videla sam na internetu oglas za branje paprika u Srbiji. Delovalo je u redu, još i putovanje i upoznavanje nove države. Odlučila sam da probam, pa šta bude.”
Kerolino prvo iskustvo bio je rad na farmi u Manđelosu, od oktobra do decembra. “Radili smo na minus temperaturama, što nikada ranije nisam doživela. U Keniji nikada nismo videli sneg; sve što sam znala bilo je sa televizije i iz knjiga. Bilo je teško, ali sam izdržala,” priseća se.
Pored fizičkih izazova, naišla je i na problem neisplaćenog rada: “Bilo je devastirajuće jer nam agencija nije platila deo zarade, a morali smo sami da tražimo novi posao. Nas 36 iz Kenije morali smo da pitamo ljude: ‘Znate li gde mogu naći posao?’”
Socijalna izolacija u početku bila je veliki izazov: “Teško je bilo jer smo bili samo farma, smeštaj, farma… Nismo mogli da komuniciramo sa ljudima. Ali sada mogu da kažem da je Srbija dobra. Ljudi su prijateljski i spremni da pomognu. Imam prijatelje u Šašincima, Mitrovici, Šidu, i opet u Manđelosu.”
Šetajući kroz Sremsku Mitrovicu, videla sam reklamu na bilbordu za posao u mesnici Nedeljković u Šašincima i odlučili smo da probamo.” Kerol je pozvala broj sa bilborda, uspela da dogovori razgovor za posao, a ubrzo nakon toga i konkretan angažman.
Danas je prezadovoljna poslom i platom. “Imam dovoljno novca za sve svoje potrebe. Plata je redovna, imam svoj smeštaj, prijatelje, i dovoljno za druženje, sve svakodnevne troškove, pa čak i da uštedim,” kaže Carol. Posle godinu dana rada u Šašincima, uspela je da sakupi dovoljno novca da poseti svoju porodicu u Keniji. Putovanje do njene zemlje košta oko 2.000 evra, ali sada je finansijski spremna i može da ostvari taj dugoočekivani susret sa porodicom.
Dolaskom u Šašince i Sremsku Mitrovicu, iskustvo joj je postalo stabilnije. Naučila je da se prilagodi novoj kulturi i hrani – dok u Keniji osnovna hrana uključuje kukuruz i ječam, u Srbiji je to hleb.
“U početku mi je bilo teško, ali sada uživam u lokalnoj kuhinji. Trudim se da zadržim svoje navike iz Kenije, ali moram da priznam i da sam ovde počela da jedem svinjetinu,” kaže Kerol.
Radni dani su osam sati, a slobodno vreme koristi za odlazak u Sremsku Mitrovicu. “Ljudi ovde nas tretiraju dobro, obezbedili su nam hranu, odeću i obuću kada smo stigli. Osećam se sigurno i kao kod kuće,” dodaje.
Kerol aktivno uči srpski jezik, a osnovne fraze koristi svakodnevno: “Hvala, dobar dan, kako si – to koristim svaki dan na poslu i u komunikaciji sa ljudima.”
Njeni roditelji su podržali odlazak: “Kultura u Keniji je takva da kada završite školu imate slobodu da idete gde želite, sve dok ste odrasli i sposobni za samostalan život.”
Razlika između Kenije i Srbije je očigledna – populacija u Keniji je oko 54-60 miliona, dok Srbija ima oko 6-7 miliona. “Srbija je mala zemlja, ali u razvoju. Ljudi su prijateljski i pomažu, a ja se ovde osećam dobrodošlo. Moji prijatelji iz Kenije žele da dođu ovde jer smatraju Srbiju lepom zemljom,” kaže Carol.
Trenutno u Srbiji boravi nekoliko desetina Kenijaca, uglavnom preko agencijskih programa za sezonske poslove u poljoprivredi, poput branja voća i povrća. Nakon završetka tih poslova, mnogi nastavljaju da traže radne prilike u različitim delovima zemlje.
Prema informacijama iz januara 2024, Kenija i Srbija pregovaraju o bilateralnom sporazumu koji bi omogućio zapošljavanje do 20.000 Kenijaca u Srbiji, uglavnom u građevinarstvu i uslugama.
U Sremskoj Mitrovici, Šidu i Šašincima, gde je boravila Kerol, Kenijci su postali prepoznatljiva zajednica. Mnogi su uspeli da se stabilizuju i integrišu u lokalnu zajednicu.
From Kenya to Picking Peppers in Manđelos: Now Living in Šašince, Carol Plans to Stay
Many people may never visit Africa, but Africans in Serbia bring their experiences and teach us about the world. One such inspiring story is that of Carol from Kenya, whose journey in Srem and Serbia shows how perseverance, courage, and adaptability can be key to starting a new life.
Caroline Reno – Life Before Serbia
At 31, Carol left her native Kenya and ventured into the unknown. Before arriving in Serbia, she was an entrepreneur in Kenya, running a business selling household essentials and money transfer services. When her business began to decline, she decided to explore opportunities abroad.
„I wanted to work internationally, but traveling to the USA, Canada, or Australia was too complicated. Then I found Serbia – a country known for its hospitality and where you can get a six-month visa with minimal requirements,“ Carol explains.
Her move to Serbia was facilitated through an agency program for seasonal agricultural work. „I saw an online ad for pepper picking in Serbia. It seemed fine, plus the chance to travel and explore a new country. I decided to give it a try, and see what happens.“
First Experience in Manđelos
Carol’s first job was on a farm in Manđelos, working from October to December. „We worked in sub-zero temperatures, which I had never experienced before. In Kenya, we never saw snow; all I knew was from TV and books. It was hard, but I managed,“ she recalls.
In addition to the physical challenges, she faced delays in payment, making the start even tougher. „It was devastating because the agency didn’t pay us part of our earnings, and we had to find new jobs ourselves. There were 36 of us from Kenya, and we had to ask people: ‘Do you know where I can find work?'“
Adjusting to Life in Serbia
Social isolation was another early challenge: „It was tough because it was just farm, accommodation, farm… We couldn’t communicate with people. But now I can say Serbia is good. People are friendly and willing to help. I have friends in Šašince, Mitrovica, Šid, and again in Manđelos.“
While walking through Sremska Mitrovica, Carol saw a billboard advertising a job at Nedeljković Butchery in Šašince. She called the number, arranged a job interview, and soon after secured the position.
A Stable Life in Šašince
Today, Carol is extremely satisfied with her job and salary. „I have enough money for all my needs. My salary is regular, I have my own accommodation, friends, enough for socializing, daily expenses, and even savings,“ she says. After a year of work in Šašince, she has saved enough to visit her family in Kenya. The trip costs around €2,000, but now she is financially prepared for the long-awaited reunion.
Living in Šašince and Sremska Mitrovica has brought stability. She has learned to adapt to the local culture and food – while in Kenya, staple foods include maize and barley, in Serbia it is mostly bread.
„At first it was difficult, but now I enjoy the local cuisine. I try to maintain my habits from Kenya, but I must admit I’ve also started eating pork here,“ Carol shares.
Her workday lasts eight hours, and free time is often spent exploring Sremska Mitrovica. „People here treat us well, provided food, clothing, and shoes when we arrived. I feel safe and at home,“ she adds.
Carol is actively learning Serbian, using basic phrases daily: „Thank you, good day, how are you – I use these every day at work and when talking to people.“
Her parents supported her decision: „The culture in Kenya is such that when you finish school, you have the freedom to go wherever you want, as long as you are grown up and capable of independent life.“
Serbia vs. Kenya
The differences are clear – Kenya’s population is around 54-60 million, while Serbia has about 6-7 million. „Serbia is a small country but developing. People are friendly and helpful, and I feel welcome here. My friends from Kenya want to come here because they see Serbia as a beautiful country,“ she notes.
Currently, several dozen Kenyans live in Serbia, mostly through agency programs for seasonal agricultural work, such as fruit and vegetable picking. After these jobs, many continue to seek employment opportunities in other parts of the country.
According to January 2024 data, Kenya and Serbia are negotiating a bilateral agreement that could allow up to 20,000 Kenyans to work in Serbia, primarily in construction and service sectors.
In Sremska Mitrovica, Šid, and Šašince, where Carol has lived, Kenyans have become a recognizable community. Many have successfully stabilized and integrated into the local society.
