Benefit Society Oshchima
1907 - 2007
100 years in the making

By Spiro Vasilev Tupurkovski and Risto Stefov
rstefov@hotmail.com

The village Oshchima is situated in south-western Macedonia (now Greece), midway between the cities Lerin to the north and Kostur to the south. It lies near the head of the Bistritsa River amid a beautiful green valley embraced by the majestic mountains Bigla to the north, Gomnush to the east and the twin peaks of Lokma and Bodanitsa to the west.

Completing this picturesque setting are the friendly neighbouring villages Zhelevo and Psodery to the north, Trsie and Statitsa to the east, Besfina and the Prespa District to the west, and Trnaa and Rula to the south.

Oshchima is more than a pretty picture; it is our home, the home of our Macedonian ancestors who took pride in their heritage and history, which dates back to the days of Alexander the Great. Oshchimians are hard working, highly ethical and progressive people with a deep rooted love for independence. Unfortunately independence has been denied to them for over 600 years. Occupation, oppression and foreign rule have been their cruel fate. Oshchimians have suffered at the hands of Turkish and Greek overseers for six centuries during which time their homes and villages were razed and often pillaged. Social and political activities, the most important and essential elements in human life and society, were denied to them. Schools were unknown to Oshchimians until the middle of the 20th century, prior to that they were kept in a perpetual state of ignorance and poverty.

However, neither oppression nor ignorance could defeat the magnificent will of the Oshchimian spirit. Using primitive tools and homemade materials they built their own roads, water supplies, churches, schools and homes. The Turkish officialdom offered no support or guidance. Their sole concern was the tax levy which was collected by unscrupulous officials who were always harsh and brutal. The Greek State too was oppressive treating Oshchimians like foreigners on their own lands, changing peoples’ names and forbidding them from speaking their native Macedonian language.

Under Ottoman rule all productive farmlands were confiscated and given to Turkish feudal lords (begs) without compensation to the owners. Deprived of good lands, Oshchimians had no choice but to turn to the hills and mountains where the scenery was beautiful but the land was arid and unfit for agricultural cultivation. Men, women and even little children toiled from sunrise to sunset only to derive a bare existence.

Laboriously Oshchimians also tended small gardens, orchards and farm plots and raised cattle and sheep. The yields were small and of poor quality and whatever meagre surpluses they managed, they could not turn them into cash because of lack of transportation and local markets. Without money even the simplest domestic necessities were beyond their means. Consequently the men often left the housework to the women and children and sought employment in foreign countries, both near and far and were absent from the village for many months; sometimes for years.

The First Immigrants to Canada

The turn of the 20th Century was a milestone in the history of the Macedonian people. Hopelessly outnumberd, many fought for their freedom and independence in the great and stubborn National Ilinden Uprising in 1903. The uprising was lost to the overwhelming Ottoman hordes but not before the plight of the Macedonian people gained worldwide attention and sympathy. As a result they were able to get some concessions from the Ottoman Empire’s Sultan.

Today the anniversary of the Ilinden Uprising is celebrated as a national holiday by all Macedonians everywhere.

Canada and the United States were unknown to Oshcimians prior to 1904. It was in the fall of that year that the first group of five Oshchimian men left the village Oshchima for Canada. They were Bozhin Christo Temov, Trayn George Jigeroff, George Naum Argiroff, Nikola S. Argiroff and Naum Poppoff, all veterans of the Ilinden Uprising.

These men set a pattern for the many more who dared to venture out and earn some money in the shortest possible time so they could return to their families in their old homeland, Macedonia. A few worked one year, others two years at most. All returned to Oshchima with their savings to remodel and improve their homes and to aid their families in their daily work. But the few dollars earned were spent all too quickly, and within a year or less they returned a second time, a third time and sometimes more times.

No one at that time entertained the slightest notion of settling permanently in Canada. How could they abandon their place of birth, families and homes full of memories, so sweet, so beloved, and at times so sad? But as the situation worsened at home over the years the unthinkable too began to happen. In 1915 and 1916 two women left Oshchima to join their men in Canada. They were Sotirtsa Stamkoa and Krstoitsa Gustoa. After the First World War more women followed and as the saying goes: “Where the women go, so goes the home.” Yes Oshchimians made Canada their new home but never forgot their beloved homeland. Though loyal to their new country, Canada, Oshchimians carried a small piece of Macedonia in their hearts.

First Years in Canada for Oshchimians

Life in those first years in Canada was rough and difficult for the Oshchimian migrant workers. Conditions were trying and hard and jobs were scarce. To ordinary country folk impersonal city life seemed hostile at times and they found it difficult to adapt themselves to it. It was not so easy to forget the habits and manners of the country life they had been accustomed to. Handicapped by the change of climate, language and illiteracy they felt lonely and homesick but they were all hard workers, never refusing even the most difficult jobs. Working ten to twelve hours a day, six to seven days a week, for a measly weekly pay of six to eight dollars, they considered themselves very fortunate to even have a job at all.

But not everyone was so lucky to have a job and good health. Many were jobless and without money, roaming the streets looking for jobs, tired and hungry wondering if they would ever see their loved ones again. Those with jobs, in order to save quickly, denied themselves the many good things in life. They ate poorly and shared dangerously overcrowded accommodations, spending as little as possible. As a result the once strong and healthy bodies began to fail and many were left without means either to secure proper medical attention in Canada, or return to Oshchima. Most of their friends were in no better financial position to help them. Under such intolerable conditions most of them could only endure about two years.

Despite these hardships Oshchimians found time to celebrate and enjoy their culture. National holidays were observed lavishly in the true Macedonian fashion with nostalgic old songs and traditional oro dances and music provided by the traditional kaval (flute), clarinet and gaida (bagpipe).

Visiting each other's homes in the city for some pleasant pastime was a regular occurrence among them. But looming in the backs of their minds was always the fear of unemployment and insecurity, causing discouragement and despair.

Due to being unable to fend for themselves, in 1906 literally thousands of people were shipped out of Canada, penniless and heart broken. But the spirit of the true Macedonian was not easily extinguished. Macedonians turned to what they instinctively knew how to do best and that is “help each other”. The solution to the problem was the formation of a “benefit” organization that would take care of peoples’ basic needs. This gave birth to the Oshchima Benefit Society, “St. Nicholas”, established October 26, 1907.

The first constitution of the infant society was written by its founder Bozhin C. Temov. In 1934 the constitution was revised to widen the organization’s scope and the name was changed to “Benefit Society Oshchima”. Since then the constitution has been revised several times thus incorporating changes in the organization’s aims.

For the past 100 years of our Society's history, the rules and regulations of its constitution have been observed. All members with failing health were given financial help, either to return to their old homeland or seek cures here. The Society also assisted poor families in Oshchima with financial help and funded a few public works projects in the village as well.

In Toronto the Society purchased burial plots in Prospect Park Cemetery and in Pine Hills and made them available free of charge to all its members and newcomers.

Near Whitby, Ontario a duly constituted and registered community named Krasno Selo (Macedonian Village) is a tangible example of Oshchimians taking roots in Canada. This virile young community, founded by Mr. Vasil Filkoff, a member of Benefit Society Oshchima since 1910, has taken its rightful place among other Canadian villages and towns adding strength and stability, at the “grass roots” level, to our beloved land Canada.

Today Benefit Society Oshchima is still playing an integral part in the social and cultural activities in the Oshchimian community. It is more than a benefit society; it is a link of unity, friendship and brotherhood.

Looking back over the past century, since our arrival in Canada, surely we have good cause to rejoice that we chose Canada to be our adopted new home.

Many of us came to Canada young, illiterate and backward in many respects; but today we are the fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers of our Canadian sons and daughters who are living richer and better lives than their forefathers. They are the beneficiaries of the hardships and struggles of those of us who lived in sterner times. They have been educated in Canadian schools and universities and now walk in all fields of Canada's business, professional and political life.

Today as we glance back on our 100 years of progress let us think with humility and gratitude of the fathers and mothers who inspired us with the love of freedom and who taught us that progress and human betterment are achieved not through passivity but through hard work and struggle. Therefore let us rejoice that today throughout the world men and women with the will to be free no longer wear the yoke of bondage, but stand erect with their chains beneath their feet.

Again let us be grateful for what we, in common with all Canadians, have achieved during the past 100 or more years and in the spirit of the beautiful lines of a Canadian poet, who said “Let us rededicate ourselves to the service of our country and people.”

First Oshchimian Pioneers to Canada

Bozhin C. Temov, Christo Y. Tsarvenkoff, Kote Radeff, Kire N. Gigeroff, Vasil N. Tupurkovski, Tase Kalcoff, Risto Filkovski, Risto F. Stefofski, George N. Argirovski,
Tanas P. Dinevski, Tarpo Stoycheff, Nasto Grozdanoff, Vasil S. Argirovski, Endria Grozdanoff, Ristos S. Argirovski, Mitre Yovanofski, Giorgi Traykoff, Kote Yovanofski,
Nikola Tashovski, Yote andSpero Golitchovi, Trayan Jigeroff, Vasil N. Tsafoff, Kuzman Novachevski, Yovan Radevski, Vasil Novachevski, Risto and Kole Boglevi, Stefo Novachevski, Kote Tashoff, Stoyan K. Dimofski, Yovan L. Malkovski, Lambro Stoykoff, Lazo T. Argirovski, Nasto Stoykoff, Risto Traykoff, Mitre Dostin, Done Yanakeff, Krsto and Spiro Kotevi, Spiro and Vasil Filkovi, Nikola Shkembarovski, Georgi Tupurkovski, Lazo Novachkovski, Vasil Keleshovski, Georgi Stoychevski, Stavre T. Prespakoff, Stoyche Keleshoff, Nikola Georgieff, Tanas Radeff, Pando Dimofski and Marko K. Keleshoff

Ode to the Land

O lovely land whose mountains run
From peak to peak to seek the sun,
And where we take the sacred fire
Of life and love to raise them higher.
O 1ovely land where April rains
And April suns break ancient chains,
And where we too such bounties share,
Forever free, and ever fair.

Benefit Society Oshchima
Centennial Banquet

Dear Patrons,

We are pleased to announce that Benefit Society Oshchima, established in 1907, will be celebrating its one hundredth birthday this year, 2007.

To celebrate the event the Benefit Society Committee will be putting together a gala banquet.

The banquet will take place on;

Saturday October 6th, 2007

At

St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral

76 Overlea Blvd

at

6:00 PM

*** Tickets must be obtained in advance ***

Cost

Retired Members and Spouses FREE

Active Members and Spouses $ 20.00 Each

Non – Members $ 40.00 Each

Children under 16 $ 10.00 Each

To Order your Tickets Contact Chris Stefou at rstefov@hotmail.com