To the south of the Kopaonik mountain range and surrounded by steep mountains, are raised the walls of the Begu family house, in the village of Kaçandoll.
The flag of the United States of America flies over its peak, as the best evidence of the closeness that this family has with the country miles away.
The Begu family had lived in America for 17 years. The war in Kosovo was the reason why these Kosovars had found refuge in Chicago. They stayed there until retirement.
However, upon retirement, Hyla Begu and her husband decided to return to Kosovo.
“The reason we came back is because we got used to working, we could not just stay there, we wanted to come and do the housework here in our home. We lived in Chicago,” said Begu.
Begu says dynamic life in America, over the years, becomes unaffordable for older people.
“Life has been much more dynamic in America, life there is much faster. It is a good place for young people who have jobs, have to work and start a family. But when you retire, the foreign country is not good. “Everyone is busy, we were even stronger, and we decided to return to Kosovo,” she said.
The admiring look towards the US flag makes sense when Ms. Hyla describes how America changed the lives of her family, which at the time was facing Serbian aggression – just as many other Albanians.
“America has given us opportunities. The war destroyed everything, we decided to go. God gave us health, while America gave us opportunities.”
Begu says that in America they were welcomed by the Albanian community, but she has a message for Kosovar youth.
“My message to the youth is to go, but not always live in America. They should return and contribute to their country. The youth should not be lost, we are back for our grandchildren. I ask everyone to return “Here in their countries, in the villages, so that youth is not lost. There is work here too. It is not easy to function even in America, you have to work hard there to do something here.”
Due to their initiative to return to Kosovo after 17 years, the Begu family has had regular visitors for two years.
In the future, they plan to invest in the village where they now live – which is characterized by high mountains and fresh air.
