Elma Dandić, Blagaj, Bosnia & Herzegovina
My Desire at the Crossroads of Blagaj Dreams
Author: Elma Dandić
I was born in the radiant town of Blagaj. Throughout my life, I held onto the belief that after completing my education, I would secure a respectable job and lead a fulfilling life. However, my hopes, fears, longings, and desires now seem like a mere joke at the intersection of Blagaj dreams. Like many others, I have come to realize the harsh reality of job prospects, employment, and obtaining work in a small community like Blagaj. This realization has exposed how our society is plagued by nepotism, despotism, corruption, and manipulation.
In Blagaj, it is incredibly challenging to find employment without personal connections or some form of manipulation. Despite graduating and earning a master’s degree in civil engineering, I have been unable to find work in my field. Currently, I am employed in an unrelated position as a physically demanding and arduous bartender. The working hours at the café average between 10 to 12 hours, and the tasks involved are not particularly suited for women. Moving forward, I do not wish to continue in this line of work as it hinders my personal growth and professional development. Presently, this job provides me with a degree of financial freedom, which is crucial for a young woman like me.
Regrettably, securing a job in my field of civil engineering solely depends on having personal connections. Our local environment fosters an atmosphere where acquiring employment without such connections is virtually impossible. As a young individual, especially as a young woman, I yearn for a system where jobs can be obtained based on merit rather than connections. Completing my college education was no easy feat, and my current circumstances restrict me from achieving my aspirations due to financial constraints. Some of my goals, such as marriage, home-ownership, and starting a family, remain out of reach in the current situation. Moreover, I long to depart from this place as I see no promising future here. It is disheartening as a young and ambitious woman to witness the absence of fair competitions for individuals like me, devoid of connections, within our country.
Consequently, there is a noticeable absence of desire or willingness from those in power to assist young individuals, particularly educated women like myself, in Blagaj. Had I known that this would be the case, I might have left Blagaj earlier and sought opportunities elsewhere, recognizing the limited prospects for young people in this community. I harbour resentment because individuals such as myself are denied the chance to showcase their abilities. Regardless of the size of our community, everything could be transformed if we collectively reject corruption and nepotism.