In times of massive emigration and demographic crisis, it’s nice to hear a positive story about a blooming community
The town of Jastrebarsko near Zagreb is experiencing quite a baby-boom: more than 30 babies were born in the last two months alone, reports Lokalni on November 28, 2017. The urban area of Jastrebarsko, often called Jaska, has a population of around 5.500 inhabitants, and the Town was happy to report a growing number of young people is deciding to settle down in Jaska or its surroundings.
“It’s a source of joy that young married couples are choosing to raise their families in Jastrebarsko, also known as a Child-Friendly Town – a title justified by the fact that more than 16 first babies in the family have been born from the end of September to today. We’ve become richer for 11 second-born children, 4 third-borns, and 2 fourth-borns, Ella Reščić and Niko Dikšić. At the end of September, on the 25th, twins Petar and Bianca Kobetić also became residents of Jaska”, says a statement from the Town.
The Town of Jastrebarsko has been offering financial support to families with newborns since 2003, providing parents and babies with around 6 million kuna in total so far. They received 132 requests in 2016, a number that has already been surpassed this year. They received the 100th request on September 22; since then, the population has grown by 32 new residents, at least according to the number of filed requests.
As a tradition, Mayor Zvonimir Novosel and his associates visit the first and the one-hundredth newborn in any given year – and they make sure to bring gifts.
“We wish plenty of health, happiness and love to all Jaska babies and their families, and the Town of Jastrebarsko will keep making sure the town they live in remains a pleasant one”, the Mayor said.
