Bosnia-Herzegovina
History
Bosnia is a country comprised of many different nationalities with multiple religions. Over the past centuries this region has been one stricken by war, with the most recent being the most destructive to date.
The spiritual need of the people whom MWB serves in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the current post-war period is tragically obvious. War transformed families into widows, orphans, invalids, and refugees… all innocent victims of war in desperate need of material and spiritual support to overcome the difficulties in their every day struggle to survive.
Our Work In Bosnia-Herzegovina
Our work is centered in the town of Mostar where the effects of civil war and uneasy peace dominate the people’s lives. Once a prosperous region, it has been crippled by massive destruction.
In Glamoc, another town of great need, there is a large population of elderly single people. Of 4,500 inhabitants, 800 people are over the age of 60. That is more than one fifth of the whole population. These people came during the war as refugees from other towns and parts of Bosnia. A great majority of them do not receive any pension at all.
MWB began working in war-torn Yugoslavia in 1991 and established MWB Bosnia-Herzegovina soon after. Based in Mostar, employing only Bosnian/Herzegovinian nationals, MWB has established various aid, emotional, health and Christian programmes aimed at meeting the needs of some of MWB Bosnia-Herzegovina’s most vulnerable people.
The 1992-1995 war had a devastating impact on the whole of the country. Thousands died. About half of the population was displaced. Neighbours fought neighbours. Towns and cities were destroyed. Farmland was rendered useless by the widespread use of land mines. The economy collapsed. Bosnia-Herzegovina’s people were left impoverished and traumatised.
MWB’s programs have therefore endeavoured to cater for more than people’s physical needs, but their emotional and spiritual needs as well. With a particular emphasis amongst the young, we encouraged reconciliation rather than revenge. In 1999, MWB’s work expanded to support 2,500 ethnic Albanian Kosovar refugees.
Today
Although there has been a lot of rebuilding since the war, about one fifth of the population live in abject poverty. Many lack access to basic needs such as safe drinking water. Ethnic tensions still run high. MWB continues to offer assistance to people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds. We’ve developed Vocational/Educational projects and scholarships to prepare orphaned or abandoned children for a fulfilled adult life. Refugees continue to receive material and emotional help. Our introduction of Micro-Enterprising is helping families to become self-sufficient and in turn benefit their own society. It is so easy for the elderly to feel alone and embittered. Therefore our support of the feeding centres ensures that the elderly are given good nutritional food daily, helped emotionally, and given clothing, medicines, etc on a regular basis.
Read Ivana’s story and learn how one girl has been helped.
Read our latest Newletter specifically about the needs and ministry of Mission Without Borders Bosnia-Herzegovina Helping the Forgotten - Bosnia
Helping BosniaClick on a link for more information:
