Labuništa has always had its own sons, known for their readiness to contribute to everything that was of common interest to the village residents – often much more than expected of them.

When it came to building a road, school, mosque, church, fountain, bridge, or some other charity, people united and, each according to their means, participated in the joint effort. And when such an effort, for any reason, failed, there were always individuals ready to take the entire responsibility upon themselves.

Such is the case with the bridge near the village school, close to the Lower Mosque, which connects the two parts of the village.

After the effort to gather enough funds for building the bridge over the village river failed, Hajji Shaban came forward and decided to take on the responsibility for its construction himself.

The bridge was especially important for the students who went daily to the village school. At that time, according to accounts, more than one thousand four hundred students attended the school.

Hajji Shaban himself participated in the construction, together with several craftsmen whom he paid daily wages. According to his words, the bridge was built in twenty-two days, and the construction cost about one million four hundred thousand dinars at that time.

At that time, Hajji Shaban worked seasonally in Kičevo, where he sold lemonade and earned well. Since he often traveled from his hometown to Kičevo and back, he was saving money to buy a car to make his travel easier.

But just when he managed to gather the necessary funds, the need for building the bridge arose.

Then Hajji Shaban made a decision that perhaps best speaks of his character, selflessness, and love for his homeland.

He said:

"For me, the bridge for Selovo is more important than my car."

With those words and his deed, Hajji Shaban not only built a bridge over the village river. He also built another bridge – a bridge between generations, a bridge of kindness, sacrifice, and care for the common good.

His action reminds us that the true greatness of a person is not measured by what he owns, but also by what he is willing to give up for the good of others.

The bridge remained to serve everyone. And as long as people pass over it and it benefits generations, we hope that Hajji Shaban’s reward for lasting goodness continues even after his death.

And his words remain as a testimony to a time and a life understanding in which personal interest knew how to give way before the interest of the community.

Some people buy a car to make their own path easier, and some build bridges to make it easier for everyone to pass.

It is precisely those who remain remembered as true benefactors.

May Allah reward Hajji Shaban with the most beautiful reward and record this deed of his as lasting goodness that will bring him a reward even after leaving this world. Amen.

✍️ Jakub Kazimoski

From the cycle "Wisdom of the Elderly Labuništa Residents"