During the month of November, a collection of sleeping bags, blankets and hygiene items for the Ušivak refugee camp in Bosnia took place. On Sunday night, December 1, 2019, we hit the road with a transporter packed to capacity. 1 000km to Sarajevo, 5 hours at the border + 5 hours at customs in Banja Luka.
We didn't get to Ushivak camp until dark due to delays at customs. Behind the high security fence, we were confronted with the reality of refugee life in the camps. Instead of the announced 300 men, there are now 800 people living in tin sheds - former warehouses, tents and unimoboxes for families with children.
When I walked into the warehouse, where 250 people sleep together, my jaw dropped. It was like a crowd in a market, guys sitting and lying on bunk military beds, huddling together to get at least a little warmth. Outside, the snow was thick and the cold was creeping up by its fingernails. This really has nothing to do with conditions that would ensure even elementary human dignity. I was ashamed of myself and of us Europeans...
Our colleague Janusz from ADRA Bosnia and Herzegovina, who serves in the camp, was not hiding his enthusiasm for what we brought. 140 thick military blankets, 65 warm blankets and blankets, 72 sleeping bags, hygiene packs for more than 100 people (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste). However, our thanks go to you who donated these items. Thanks to you, at least some of these people will have their own sleeping bag and warm blanket from tomorrow...
One of the refugees willingly came running to help us and when we unloaded everything he shared his story. He comes from among the Kurds who had to flee their homeland because of the war. It took him and his family (a wife and two small boys) a year to make it to Bosnia. They spent all their belongings on the journey. Now they have to spend the winter in a camp in a unimobile cell and then they will look for a new home somewhere in the EU. When he said goodbye to us, he did not forget to remark: „And thank all those generous and helpful people in Slovakia!“ So it is with great pleasure that we give you this heartfelt thank you.
When Mato and I were coming back home, we said to each other that it was really „cool“. The only question is whether we could have done even more...
If you would like to contribute financially to the hygiene packages for the people in this camp, please send your donation to the account: SK48 0200 0000 0049 7524 1312, VS: 035026.The value of 1 package containing soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and cream is 5.-€.
Thank you friends for helping people and changing lives! After all, this is what ADRA is all about.
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