top of page
HPR 2026 Logo Text Black.png

Hosted by

Color 2FREELENS Foundation-Logo-RGB-01 Kopie 2.png

OPEN CALL
01 – 30, MAY 2026

Mitar Simikić

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mila

As collectors of discarded goods for over 20 years, the members of the Salihovic family are often seen as outcasts in their hometown of Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Of the family’s five children only Mila (real name Samila), how the project has a title, she wants to educate herself and change here future. Just 11 years old when this when I met the family, Mila has proven to be a brilliant problem solver. During the period of primary school, where he showed interest in acting and sports - football. All this gradually shaped Mila into the idea of finishing school and finding a job. She is currently in the final grade of the Agricultural School. With her whole life ahead of her, it is uncertain how her story will unfold, but the project will continue to document her journey up until her 18th birthday. On July 13, this year, she will become an adult. Her plan to get an ID card and immediately start looking for a job. For Mila it is clear that she is aware that she will have to help her parents at some point because they are in years where they cannot work with the same intensity as before. Mila has wishes, plans. A school that enrolled in a three-year education. Mila wants to continue for another year to have a four-year education and a degree in Agricultural Technician. This allows her a higher coefficient in employment and for possible further education. She does not want to do the same job that her family does. So far, Roma have been mainly involved in waste collection and recycling. Salihovic family is a Muslim family originally from Bijeljina. Their case, without a doubt, goes to show a problem that the world is sliding into with too much inertia: While this great world thrives, making every idea that comes to mind possible, the needs of an ordinary man seems to be forgotten and while he is seen less and less, in the meantime, he still wakes up and continues to live the only way he knows how. This project follows Mila and her attitude and strength to persevere in the idea of having a much better life than she has now and a family that supports her, but also this project is a reminder that it is not enough to just have dreams and hopes, because changing a life requires constant work and willingness to give up certain things in order to create an enviroment just for yourself.

bottom of page