WFW Graduation in Zenica
Last month, LWP Christine and I traveled with Women for Women International (WFWi) to Bosnia. While there are still many bullet-riddled building and other reminders of the horrific fighting that occurred during the 90’s, what’s remarkable is the dichotomy of progress and the pre-war politics that endure.
Women for Women
Prior to the trip, I read books about the break up of the former Yugoslavia to better understand the people, politics and the atrocities that occurred in the 1990’s. Traveling with WFWi provided a lens through the eyes of the many thousand Bosnian women who have gone through the WFWi program and have learned business, personal and vocational skills, allowing them to earn money to support themselves and their families.
Dreams & Reality
For the first two weeks after I returned from Bosnia I tried to process what I had experienced and read – trying to make sense of it all. Sleep was difficult and I would wake many times during the night to thoughts of the women we had met, the war, the destruction and the people left to put it all back together. Sometimes I would stay awake for hours trying to solve complicated issues in my dreams. Being back in my home with family and friends nearby was wonderful, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the amazing women I had met in Bosnia who were determined, smart, strong and motivated.
Call to Action, Making a Difference
Home Visit with WFW graduate
After a week of fitful sleep, I decided I don’t want to fall back into my comfortable life and only having distant memories of a wonderful trip. Instead, I’ve made the conscious decision to stay involved and to make a difference. How?
- Promoting the incredible work of WFWi – sponsoring a woman: more than 30,000 women in 8 post-conflict regions have gone through the WFWi program, helping to train women to be financially self-sufficient and empowered.
- Connecting WFWi and other Bosnian efforts, including Post-Conflict Research Center, with other organizations and programs to create synergy for Bosnian progress
- Continuing to learn: about Bosnia and other war-torn regions. Today, I’m reading Bone Woman, a forensic scientist experiences in Bosnia, Rwanda, Croatia and Kosovo.
Motivating Yourself & Others
With WFW Country Mgr & Finance Lead
Most importantly, I’ve decided that I’m comfortable with being uncomfortable. I’m motivated to help and want to inspire others to become involved. The conservative estimate for unemployment in Bosnia is 43%, but in some areas it’s as high as 75%. It gave me a new perspective about US unemployment that hovers around 9%, especially when I witnessed first-hand what the Bosnian women are willing to do to survive.
When you see me, I may look a little bleary-eyed due to a restless night’s sleep. Take it as a reminder that we need to help the incredible people in Bosnia to be able to dream in color.
