SOS Children in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Overview of Bosnia-Herzegovina

The Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina is still struggling to recover from three years of bloody inter-ethnic war during 1992-95. Around 250,000 people died in the conflict between Bosnian Muslims, Croats and Serbs as part of the break-up of Yugoslavia.

The war was still in progress when the charity first began working in the country in 1994 with an emergency aid programme for families in Sarajevo who were caring for orphaned children. Specialised treatment was also provided for a number of deaf and dumb children, as well as children suffering from diabetes. Youth clubs, which also offered therapy and counselling, were set up to help young people, families and children cope.

Our Work in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Sarajevo

After the war, we began work on two SOS Children's Villages. SOS Children's Village Sarajevo was built on a site provided by the city authorities in Mojmila. A residential district was chosen, which was extensively damaged during the war, and it took in its first families in 1997. All of the children first housed here were affected by the war, with their parents killed during the conflict, or missing since then. Built on a sloping green hill, the Village has 16 family houses for up to 102 children, built in the traditional Bosnian style. An SOS Youth Home provides accommodation for young adults moving towards independence. The Village also has a sports ground where the children can play and take part in sports.

In 1999 we finished work on an SOS Social Centre close to the SOS Children’s Village. It includes an SOS Nursery for 60 children and a computer centre to train young people in IT skills. English and German language classes are provided, as well as handicrafts and visual arts workshops. Around 800 children and young people are currently benefiting from these facilities. There is also an adventure playground which provides somewhere for children from the SOS Children's Village and the neighbourhood to play in safety away from the busy city streets.

In autumn 2003 the popular Playbus Project, which has been running very successfully in Albania and Romania, was introduced in Sarajevo with the aim of helping to keep children off the streets. The mobile bus visits children in parks and playgrounds and offers street children, children from orphanages and other children the opportunity to take part in play activities. The bus goes to Sarajevo's most notorious district where children are especially at risk. Taking part in the Playbus activity is free and the activities are tailored to different age groups. Every month the Playbus puts smiles on a thousand faces in schools, hospitals, parks and orphanages around the country.

Gracanica

Bosnia-Herzegovina’s second SOS Children’s Village opened in north-eastern Bosnia on a hill overlooking the town of Gracanica, about 35 km from Tuzla, in 1998. Located approximately 3 kilometres from the city centre, SOS Children’s Village Gracanica has 12 family houses built in the traditional style. These houses provide a new home to up to 78 children. The Village also has an SOS Youth Home for up to 34 children in the city of Tulza who have grown up in the Village and are now on the verge of independence.

Other SOS projects in Bosnia-Herzegovina include the rebuilding of two nurseries in Mostar which were destroyed in the war.

Bosnian Orphans

For more information about the work we do in Bosnia, see our page on Bosnian Orphans.

Life in SOS Children's Villages Bosnia-Herzegovina: Big brother, little brother

When you look at their interests, talents, friends and temperaments, you would think that Ismet and Hamza are not even related. Look deeper into their hearts and you will find what they share with their SOS siblings - their affection for their SOS mother and the same deep brotherly bond which grows stronger every day.

"Ismet and Hamza are very much in tune with each other," says SOS mother Isma. "I try hard to create such bonds among all my [SOS] children. I teach them that each of them will be the other's pillar. They have to and will support each other in life."

When Isma talks of her nine children, she can't stop smiling. "I'm happy when my children are happy and content with themselves. I couldn't be prouder."

A little brother who's a talented dancer

Six-year-old Ismet has been attending ballet school for over a year now and is happy to demonstrate the ballet steps that he has learned. As ballet is not such a popular choice for boys, he was the only boy in the group when he started but he soon discovered his talent.

"Each time I bring Ismet to a ballet lesson, his teacher tells me how exceptionally talented he is. He really enjoys every lesson," says Isma as Ismet does the splits in the living room. "Who knows... maybe he'll grow up to be the next Baryshnikov?!" "Barshy…who? How do you spell that?" immediately inquires the boy who will not start school for another year, but already knows all the letters.

A big brother who's a talented basketball player

Hamza is a promising basketball player, although he is unsure whether he will be a professional basketball player or whether he will just play the game as a hobby. The nine-year-old is training hard in the local basketball club and takes every opportunity to shoot a few balls on the village playground.

"Whenever I go outside I take a ball with me. Even when I'm on my way to school, if I meet some friends on the field, I quickly shoot a few three-pointers before I rush off to school," says Hamza. A third-grader in the nearby primary school, Hamza is often described as a wonderful student by his teacher. "Ah, I do sometimes get help from Tea," admits Hamza with a look of gratitude to his older SOS sister.

Regardless of what they do with their lives, one thing will always remain the same: Ismet and Hamza will always be the brothers of Tea, Mirso, Faris, Alma, Amra, Alen, Damir. They will always be Isma's sons and be each other's greatest support.

Local Contact

SOS Children's Villages Bosnia and Herzegovina   

Bosnia and Herzegovina                   

Tel: +387/33/465 218    

Fax: +387/33/465 323