Šabić hitchhikes to Sarajevo and sells socks

Ekrem Šabić (24) from the village of Babina Gora near Zenica travels to Sarajevo daily by hitchhiking, all in order to earn a few marks. Šabić is one example of how people who do not give up can secure a source of income. Namely, Šabić comes to Sarajevo and sells woolen socks there for the price of five and 10 KM.

He told the Patria News Agency that this is his only source of income, and that he got the idea by watching his grandmother Saliha knit socks.

- My grandmother Saliha does this job really well, and since I don't have a job, I suggested that she knit socks and I sell them. And that's how it all started – said Šabić, who could be a role model for many of his peers.

He further emphasizes that he doesn't mind getting up early and hitchhiking every day to get to Sarajevo, but many people gladly stop and give him a ride to Sarajevo.

- There is work, and I can earn from 20 to 50 marks a day. My customers are often foreigners who are interested in handmade products, but our people buy the most – added Šabić.

This young man has been doing the same job for two years, and he has gained regular customers who do not welcome winter without his socks. Several young men from his village have followed Šabić's example, and they have also started this small business.

- It is difficult to find employment today, but one must find ways to cope. At first, they laughed at me, but when they saw that it was possible to earn money, some of my friends started doing the same. We are not competitors, sometimes we come together, but we spread out to different parts of the city – added Šabić.