A Visit to Women for Women International – Bosnia and Herzegovina: Reflections from Mariet Verhoef-Cohen, Soroptimist International – Europe Union President, The Netherlands, Suriname and the Dutch Antilles

March 2004

We traveled with five people in our group to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Three people were from the University of Leeuwarden in the North of Holland; Hinke Dijkstra, our liaison officer; and me, the Union President. The university students had just started their modules for their Bachelor’s degree in Humanitarian Assistance, and wanted to see the project and how it was organized. For their modules, they will be studying Project Independence: Women Survivors of War, and will be helping us raise funds and develop outreach and education materials.

Everyone was very impressed with the project, and with Women for Women International. We went to their Sarajevo office and toured the administrative offices as well as the training classrooms, where Women for Women International provides rights awareness education, leadership training, and vocational skills training. We were able to watch an embroidery training class, and in the next room, there were women making handbags. And, we saw several examples of tapestry and wood working that other women had completed in their training classes at the program.

We had the opportunity to talk to the women who were learning embroidery. As we talked, it became clear that the women were happy to be there, to be learning new skills, and to be exchanging experiences about what happened to them during the war. One woman even had her daughter enroll in the embroidery class, and they started their own small business together. Now, they are able to make more money than they were when they were trying to find part-time, temporary jobs. These women are all very brave, and I am sure they will succeed.

The next day we went into the field to see the microcredit program. Once a month, the participants come to a meeting point and pay the staff member. The women are very enthusiastic, and want to make their payments and start a new life. We met one woman who started a chicken farm. Her mother-in-law bought two cows with her microcredit funds. They all make their payments regularly, and make a living for their families at the same time. The interest rate for them in 1.5% per month, which is quite something.

Later that day, we spoke with a class of women who were being taught leadership skills, and how they can become leaders in their own community. It was wonderful. They were into women’s empowerment and were excited about taking leadership roles. I thought this initiative was great. One woman even said she was hoping to be a member of the local community board soon!

It was a wonderful experience and it was so much nicer to tell our members about the project when you have actually been there. After we returned, we had a meeting with several Soroptimist clubs to explain Project Independence: Women Survivors of War. Over 120 Soroptimist members came to listen, which was wonderful. The students introduced themselves and provided background information on Afghanistan, Rwanda and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was part of their first module for their degree. Then I explained the project and we discussed what we as a Union can do, and showed everyone the pictures and the film that we took while we were there. We are now committed to raising funds, and hope to get even more than we raised for Limbs for Life.