Balkans Relief Mission

Project Completed
Back to Europe

Balkans Relief Mission

300

Project Managers: Michel Ramond and Bernadine Wolford

Balkans Relief Mission was formulated during the Yugoslavian War for the purpose of visiting refugee camps, military hospitals and children's centers in Croatia and Slovenia during which time they performed musical and drama shows for children as well as supplied food, clothing, school supplies and medicine.

Their work later expanded to include Bosnia (1995), where they conducted post war trauma therapy in the form of musical and drama performances for children.

Their musical team has performed concerts at SFOR (NATO) bases for thousands of soldiers with the purpose of boosting the morale of peacekeeping troops stationed in Bosnia.

During the 1998-99 period, they also did mine awareness programs in schools in conjunction with SFOR and UN police.

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina




Peace in the Midst of Storm

Our song & drama team performs shows centered on various themes such as Drug Prevention or Mine Awareness, etc. These programs take place before audiences numbering in size from hundreds to thousands, and in locations ranging from primary schools and kindergartens to camps for Kosovar refugees or Bosnian “displaced persons”, to SFOR bases of NATO peacekeepers. In almost all situations, one of the most popular songs is "Peace In The Midst Of The Storm" in the local language!

Drug-Free Future is a Brighter Future

In the aftermath of the civil war that ravaged Bosnia in the 1990s, drug abuse is a major problem among the youth, who face a very bleak future. To help counter the problem, we conduct drug awareness and prevention programs in schools. Working in cooperation with local government officials, we have already reached hundreds of young students, teachers, and school directors through these programs, as well as conducting follow up conversational English classes for teenage students.

Children's Vocational Center

Breza, located 30 kms outside of Sarajevo, is a town very affected by the war, where unemployment is extremely high, the educational infrastructure weak, and availability of sports activities and equipment lacking. When we were in Breza presenting our Mine Awareness and Drug Prevention programs in the schools of that area, the local authorities requested our help, which led to us organizing a program of vocational activities, conducted exclusively by our BRM team, and presented without cost to the community.

Computer Training

Partnering with “P’tit coups de mains” from Paris, we were able to install 16 computers at 3 local primary schools and one high school in the Breza municipality. Another 10 computers were installed at the Breza Red Cross center, which allows us to expand our vocational project to include basic computer knowledge and skills.

Activities at "Sunflower" youth center in Sarajevo

Vocational activities for 30 older children and teens. Activities and games, including dance practice, conversational English lessons, etc were all conducted by Balkans Relief Mission.

Monthly Programs for Underprivileged Children & Youth

Each month, groups of children and teenagers are invited to enjoy fun and meaningful performances and activities. With the help of local sponsors we are able to provide snacks and refreshments as well as small gifts for the children attending.

Other Balkans Relief Mission Programs

More activity photos.