“Treasures Made by Bosnian Women’s Hands”

In June we received an invitation from local government representatives of the Municipalities of Novi Grad (Sarajevo) and Hadžici, to participate in their traditional week-long cultural events. We were eager to take part so that we could promote the organization and show the community the great work that our beneficiaries were capable of doing. We took great care in designing and preparing the exhibit, involving current and former beneficiaries in the process. We prepared a collection by choosing the best works from among the many beautiful and unique handicrafts made by our beneficiaries during their traditional and non-traditional training.

Although organizing exhibits to display the works of our beneficiaries is always important for us, this exhibit was particularly special because it would provide some of our past beneficiaries with an opportunity to gain new experience in promoting women’s issues in the community. These beneficiaries had received special training to become leaders in their community and to promote women’s rights and issues. They are now members of “Coordinating Boards” that organize activities to promote women’s rights and push women’s issues in the local government. Such Coordinating Boards were established this year in Sarajevo and Hadžici, and the members were thrilled to be a part of our exhibition, where they could promote the Boards' functions to all women in the community. Razija Bošnjak, program coordinator in Bosnia, said it was great to see “women who used to be our students, now participating in and leading these activities with such enthusiasm and devotion.”

We called our exhibit “Treasures Made by Bosnian Women's Hands”. It was opened by Damir Hadžic, the mayor of Novi Grad Municipality, in Sarajevo, and Esma Topalovic, deputy mayor of social activities and a member of the Coordinating Board in Hadžici. In Hadžici, the event took place at a center that organizes various activities and projects to help women living in poverty become more responsible for their lives and make their own decisions. At both events, community representatives were present, along with musicians from Sarajevo's School of Music, the media, hundreds of our beneficiaries and their families visited the openings and exhibits.

Several guests commented on the women's great artistic talent and skill. The beneficiaries were so proud to be a part of the exhibit and thrilled to show what they and their fellow participants were capable of when given the opportunity. They spoke about their work and the opportunities given to them through Women for Women International. The beneficiaries were very emotional when they spoke of the event and of the Organization. Zehra said: “This was the best experience in my life!” Dzena told us: “I feel so happy that I could cry,” while Emsa from Sokolje said: “My happiness would be complete if my sponsor-sister from the US was here today.” And Blazenka said she was “grateful to WWI for giving me this chance to improve my life.”

These events were therefore a great success in two areas: They showed the community the skill and talent of the women, and they provided an opportunity for Coordinating Board members to promote women's rights and issues in the community. Through both, the women in these communities gained greater attention and respect, which is one of the most important goals of Women for Women International in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dienne Miller
Staff Member, Women for Women International - Bosnia and Herzegovina