TWI Camps for Children 
in
Bosnia and Herzegovina
AND
MONTENEGRO

 July 3 - 21, 2005

 

This page provides information concerning the TWI for the Children Camps to Kids in Bosnia and Herzegovina  and at the Orphanage in Montenegro during July 2005.

A training meeting was held on May 9, 2005. Read about the results of our planning  for the 2005 Summer Camp2Kids.

Date

                          Activity

3 July

Sunday

• Team Arrives Sarajevo 
  (5 Volunteers)
  
•  Meet with Bosnian partners

4 July

Monday

Tour Sarajevo

Prepare for Camps

5 July

Tuesday

• Camp in Ilidza

Sing-Along

6 July
Wednesday

• (PM) Travel to Srebrenica
  

• Tour of Srebrenica Area

7 July

Thursday

•   Camp for Persons with Special Needs in Srebrenica.

• Travel to Sarajevo

Srebrenica Disabled Camp,  7 July 2005:

"So far, my most interesting time was in Srebrenica and staying with the family of our interpreter. There were gun shots in the nighttime that reminded me of Christmas 1996 in Sarajevo when we heard them throughout the night. It seems that the authorities in Srebrenica have received many tips of terrorists’ plans to disrupt the memorial services on the 12^th of July 2005.  Policemen were posted all over the Memorial Center and it looked like they were ready to act. Some of the locals said they thought this was the year that something could happen since it was the 10 year remembrance. Our time with the family was wonderful and you truly felt how difficult it was for them to return to their home.

The Center for Persons with Special Needs and young adults was special and the children were so well behaved. The director explained that many of the children had not eaten in a long time and for that reason the lunch we served was for many the only meal they had had for a long time. There were a number of parents who stayed for the entire time and at the end they all said how wonderful it was for their child to have had this camp opportunity. The disabilities range from deaf children to children in wheel chairs, to children with physical disabilities. It was a true blessing to work with these people."

8 July

Friday

• Visit to Sarajevo Orphanage
  
• Additional Volunteers arrive.
  
• Tour Sarajevo Tunnel

Sarajevo Orphanage Camp – 8 July 2005:

"Evaluation time with the orphanage director, Amir, was interesting. The big thing here is the decision of the BiH Ministry of Education to integrate children with special needs into the regular classes in all schools. It has already happened so we heard all sides of the story from the parent’s side, the caretaker and the teacher. At the Sarajevo orphanage, the director, said they had 10 special needs children and their teachers are constantly calling him to come get the children because they cannot  work with them. He asked if TWI could organize a workshop dealing with the topic of “integrating special needs children in the classroom” regardless of their disability."

Thoughts from Michele upon arrival:

“I arrived in Sarajevo safely and without any problems, all my anxiety attacks and worrying for nothing. I have now been here 24 hours, and I have experienced more emotion then I have in a few years. From the moment I was flying and landing in Sarajevo . It definitely is more beautiful then I anticipated, we flew in over mountain ridges and villages that were just amazing. That was the first tear shed. Next was all the love I saw in this tiny little airport I arrived in, people hugging and kissing, and tears, so happy to see their loved ones. I was greeted by Vjeko (my interpreter) with big kisses and hugs, and I instantly felt welcome and comfortable. He explained that the emotion comes from so many families being separated, as many became refugees, and only return on holidays.

We left the airport and drove into Sarajevo , a good majority of the city has been repaired and a lot more was under construction. Sarajevo is surrounded by mountains, so on our way through it, Vjeko pointed out bunkers and different buildings where the snipers and soldiers would fire from.  There is probably not one building that does not have some kind of trace of gun fire or shell attack.  The streets are narrow and curvy and they drive crazier than the Irish. We drove up a very curvy hill street and pulled up in front of an apartment building. Graffiti and over grown brush, broken down playground on the side, stray animals everywhere, and Vjeko said this is where you are staying. I was told that this was one of the nicest neighborhoods. We walked up about 3 flights of stairs and were greeted with more hugs and kisses by my host mom Hajda, a widower in her 60´s.

She lives in a very small 3 room apartment, spotless and with beautiful white linens everywhere. She speaks no English and of course I speak no Bosnian. With all my practicing these last few weeks, I got stage fright, I think I have said hello and good day to her 1000 times for everything, but some how we understand each other. She tried to feed me all kinds of things, but I settled on homemade bread and Orange Juice. The whole block had no water yesterday, so she heated water in a pot and created me a small plastic tub bath, where I managed to bath and wash my hair. I think she wanted to bath me too, but I managed to get the door closed . 

Last night, I walked down the street and met the other people in my group and we walked a few miles into old city Sarajevo. Wonderful cafes and street market, shops, people everywhere. And yes of course, I have already bought something. We had a wonderful dinner outside on a river, looking at this beautiful old building that once was the library. Vjeko said the soldiers focused on destroying old buildings with any historical meaning. They are in the process of trying to repair it, but will never be able to replace the old books. We walked back home, and I swear up at least 500 steps, my legs are killing me today. "

9 July

Saturday

• Team,  Children with Special Needs and their families travel to Rama "House of Peace"
  
• (PM) Camp for Disabled Children

  Overnight: Rama Monestary

 Camp for Childen with Special Needs at Rama: 9 – 10 July 2005

Michele:   We left this morning at 8am for Rama about a 2 hour drive. We are spending today, tonight and tomorrow night in a Franciscan Monastery. It’s beautiful and on the most gorgeous lake, and mountains are everywhere. On the way here, I experienced my first bathroom stop in the hole, yes I took pictures first, peed on my feet, I washed them off in the sink, I don’t think you are suppose to do that.

We were greeted by the disabled children and their families of Sarajevo . TWI provides them with this weekend getaway. We had lunch together and at 5pm will start the camp with song and dance, then the crafts. 

Bobby:

"Everybody  arrived at Rama in time for lunch.   We have 40 disabled children, including their families. Fra Mato, Director of the Monastery,  gave the extra children a scholarship so that there is no increase in cost for them. We arrived in time to get our keys, take our things to our rooms and then go to lunch. As always, lunch was delicious. First course was a fantastic soup - very light but very tasty. This was followed by a platter of pomme frits and wonderful baked chicken. We welcomed everyone and then gave the general camp schedule. After this everyone was given free time for naps and then camp officially started at 5pm with musical activities. Vjeko led some of our team and parents on a short hike and then we all ended up at the cafe to wait for camp to start. After musical activities, we had dinner and then everyone headed for the cafe. The children just love being able to walk around on their own and the mothers love being able to not worry about them.

10 July

Sunday

• (AM) Camp for  Children with Special Needs
  
• (PM) Families and  Children with special needs return to Sarajevo by Bus
  
• Team remains at Rama

TWI for the  Children provided transportation for the families to the retreat, accommodations for the families and meals.  The camp was modified to provide more free time for the families, but we still had time for songs, games, crafts and stories.  We truly look forward to this weekend with our friends.

Return to Success 2005 Page

11 July

Monday

• Camp at Rama School
  
• Travel to Sarajevo

12 July

Tuesday

• Camp at Zenica Orphanage
  
• "Dinner with Vahid"

13 July

Wednesday

• Travel to Mostar

• Half-day camp at Mostar Orphanage.

This camp is really fun!!!

14 July

Thursday

• Day camp at Mostar Orphanage

15 July

Friday

• Travel to Trebinje
  
• Camp at Trebinje School
  
• Travel to Montenegro Orphanage

16 July

Saturday

• Camp at Montenegro Orphanage

17 July

Sunday

• Camp at Montenegro Orphanage
  

• Travel to Mlini
  

18 July

Monday

•    Day free in Mlini
  

19 July

Tuesday

• Day Free Mlini

20 July

Wednesday

• Team (-) Departs from Dubrovnik Airport to USA

• Travel to Sarajevo
   

21 July

Thursday

• Team Departs Sarajevo