Ramadan 1444, April 2023 - catch up and delivery of cow
Widows Project
Bosnia Trust were honoured to share iftar with 19 widows who had lost their husbands and sons in Bosnia on the day of Ramadan 2023. For this reason they are referred to as 'The Mothers of Srebrenica'. The atmosphere was very happy and peaceful. We gave gifts in cash envelopes. The following day we gifted another widow with an envelope as she could not join us the night before. Another 30 widows will also be given cash gifts. The remaining money raised for the widows will become a fund used for the widows benefit which they will tap into as and when required. E.g. to buy firewood, medicine, etc.
However, there are so many more mothers and widows like them and after speaking with our partners on the ground about more ways we can help, we are planning to:
Improve the mental health and well being of our mothers and widows by employing a Counsellor who will provide specialised support for the next five years.
Recruit befrienders and domestic helpers to provide both companionship and practical assistance to the widows, many of whom live alone in isolated rural areas.
Amongst the benficiaries of these projects will be women like Saliha, whose husband was killed by Serbian soldiers after being forced to call his son out from hiding. Saliha’s son was also murdered. Here is her story: https://srebrenica.org.uk/survivor-stories/saliha-osmanovic
For those of you who want to watch, the footage of Saliha’s husband can be seen here https://twitter.com/bosnianhistory/status/1455645047202930689, but we do warn our supporters that the video is very distressing.
We are looking to raise £90,000 (£18,000 per year) to employ a full-time Counsellor for five years.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilitiies (SEND) Project
We visited a specialist centre for children and young people with SEND needs. We will be supporting families who have children with SEND by supporting the funding of a classroom (£7,000) and specialist equipment (£15,000).
Cow Distribution
Across Bosnia and Herzegovina there are up to 5,000 orphans. These children, along with their mothers and the rest of the family members often live in very difficult socio-economic conditions, have limited economic opportunities, and are at a greater risk of social exclusion than their peers.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country rich in fertile arable land that is suitable for the development of animal husbandry and cattle breeding. In some regions, meadows and pastures make up 80% of the landscape.
Our partners realised the benefit of distributing livestock to orphan families and families in hardship when visiting them. Many live in in rural areas where agriculture is the primary source of income. Since 2008, you have donated over 100 cows, providing families in hardship including orphan mothers with a sustainable source of income and food and giving them the opportunity to grow their business by breeding more cows and utilising their land to its fullest potential.
You can read more about some of the families you have helped in Ramadan 1444 below (please note, names have been changed):
Greenhouse Project
A new project has been suggested which is the Greenhouse Project. Like the Cow Project, by giving a family in hardship a Greenhouse allows the family to become self-sufficient. Furthermore, it is a project which is environmentally friendly suited to Bosnia and has the potential to become income generating.
We have been able to commission three Greenhouses ranging from small (21m2), medium (50m2) to large (100m2).
Cow Project Recipients
Family One: Widow, Nadia has three daugthers from her first marriage and a son, Tarik, from her second marriage. Unfortunately, Tarik’s father died from cancer when little Tarik was only two months old. Nadia initially lived with her in-laws after her husband’s passing, but was subjected to verbal and emotional abuse and was forced to leave. Her new home is surrounded by 500 square meters of land which she uses to grow vegetables for her own needs. She also has a barn that she can use for keeping livestock. Tarik is now 9 years old and he is a good student. He helps his mom around the house and loves animals.
Family Two: 11-year old Hana and 16-year-old Adam lost their father to a heart attack. Their mother, Sofia is a hardworking woman. She has a job, but also looks after the house, grows vegetables and takes care of the family’s two goats. She lives with her mother and her two children in their family home. Hana and Adam are very good students, and they also help their mother to grow vegetables and take care of their household.
Family Three: Widow Layla lives with her 10-year-old daughter, Zara and her parents. She works as a cook, but her salary is not enough to provide for all the family’s needs. Zara’s father had mental health issues and died in a traffic accident recently. The family live in a poor neighborhood and although Layla’s elderly parents are helping where they can, their poverty is an extra burden they are forced to bear on top of grieving for their husband and father.
Family Four: Farah with daughter and son, 12 and 8 years old, both going in school, mother is unemployed. After the death of her huband she was left alone with small children. Now she is married and caring for her son and daughter, as well as the two children from her husband’s previous marriage. Farah has also recently given birth.
Family Five: Family Besic, mother Nada has two sons, 15 and 13 years old, both going to school, mother is unemployed and has no income. Before the death of her husband they had cows and worked a lot in agriculture because they have a lot of arable land. Supported after we left Bosnia.
Family Six: Malik and Omar live with their grandparents in their village. After their father's death, their mother got remarried and was unable to care for them so their grandparents became their main guardians. They work in animal husbandry, but struggle to support their grandchildren on their small income. Malik is now in year 7 and Omar is in year 9. The boys also help their grandparents at work. Unfortunately, after losing their father, their uncle, who they were very close to, also passed away.
Family Seven: The cow will support a family of four in hardship. The father has been helping his community. He has been working low paid jobs. This will greatly benefit this household.
Family Eight: This cow was received by a family who lost their son to a car accident six months ago. The father grows and sells seasonal produce and the family have found it very difficult. They are proud and dignified people and have never asked for handouts. In fact they were referred by their neighbours and friends who felt that they should receive a little helping hand. The wife is a home maker and she recently donated a kidney to her daughter in law. These are selfless and warm people who deserve this gift - from you to them! May Allah accept this from you. Ameen.
Total raised for Ramadan April 2023 (as of 30 April 2023)
Livelihood Project – Cow and a new Greenhouse Project £14,405
Widows Project £12,995
SEND Project £205
Infrastructure 2,343
£29,948