In September 2006, launched the following April, we chose the name Aid2Bosnia as an 'umbrella' title for this website describing the work of a variety of individual aid workers and Charities who, having seen the needs in Bosnia, had decided to get involved and to help. We said then, Aid2Bosnia is bringing together in one place, this website, descriptions and up-to-date information about aid that is being given to Bosnia, a country that has suffered so much as a result of the War that took place in the former Yugoslavia, 1992-1995. For so many the suffering still goes on, now, so many years since the War has ended. We hoped the website would do a lot of good and it would seem it has - we have had some excellent feedback!
Now, things have changed slightly (2009). Then, we had no plans to turn AID2BOSNIA into a charity because we felt we were 'up front' people, doing the work, and we did not think we would be disciplined enough to run a charity of our own without lots of legal and financial accounting support. Amazingly, during this last year of Joe's such serious and life-threatening illness, this is the year when a very good friend has done everything to create our very own charity and all the support we need is in place! How could we 'stop' our work because of Joe's illness when now we are a charity! Of course, we had to choose a name and, after much thought, discussion AND prayer, we knew there was no better name for our charity than AID2BOSNIA so that is the name and our Charity No is XT16040, registered with the Inland Revenue, able to Gift Aid and reclaim tax from Gift-aided donations. Something very, very wonderful has happened as Joe has recovered and is now 'almost' back to normal. Miracles all round!!!!!
Our philosophy could be described as follows: as Christians, we are called to serve. The desire to serve is reflected in the charitable work described here on this Aid2Bosnia website. Different circumstances might have meant that it was ourselves who were suffering as the result of War. It could have been us crying out for someone, anyone, to help us. For us, once the cry from Bosnia had been heard, once we had seen how it is there, we could not turn our backs and just walk away. We had to help - and you can read here how many other people have heard those cries and have decided to get involved as well.
If you are aware of others helping Bosnia or if you yourself are helping already, perhaps you would like to get in touch so that this website can continue to grow and grow ... spreading the word ... being links in a chain ... all for the benefit of people in Bosnia who are suffering now.
Update on us, Deacon Joe and Felicity, and AID2BOSNIA
The first 6 months of this year were difficult for us as Joe was very ill again BUT, after 2 operations, he began to 'turn a corner' in July and is now getting stronger all the time.
