Scout Letters To

Bosnia

Scouting in Bosnia-Herzegovina is in the early stages of a rebirth, after years of absence because of the terrible civil war between Serb, Croat and Muslim citizens of that country. When Bosnia was part of the country called Yugoslavia, Scouting had a strong presence in the country. However, civil war severely damaged the movement.

Today, boys and girls of scouting age are growing up in the aftermath of war, trying to cope with terrible hardships. What is a hardship? How about not even knowing if you will even have water ...water to cook with, water to bathe, water to clean your house or water to drink. Food shortages, or shortages of school supplies (if your lucky enough to be able to go to school) are common. Just getting to school can be dangerous. There are still many landmines out there, which do kill or severely wound people every day. Even though the war ended in late 1995, with the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, there is still much tension between the various ethnic groups (Serbs, Muslims and Croats).

In the face of these hardships, the boys and girls of Bosnia-Herzegovina, an incredibly beautiful country, are beginning to band together under the banner of Scouting in the hope of building a better country. For them, the hatred and suffering of war must stop. Indeed, maybe if enough of them join the themes of WOSM, the messages of the Scouting Movement will catch on with their parents!

That's why we've included this page. We'd like you to send a letter to a Bosnian Scout to encourage them in their good work. Let them know what you and your troop do for community service projects. Share with them your favorite traditions - both with your troop and your family. For example, what will you be doing this Christmas, or do you celebrate other holidays, or no religious holidays? Do you enjoy simple family camping trips in the countryside?

We have recently established contact with Scouts from BiH, with the 22nd April Scout Group. The Group has been active and thriving on initiative and spirit. However, they do need our collective support. On their HomePage, you will find the following plea: "Because of war we was lost all our scout's equipment. Any donation (Scout's equipment, food or money) to our Scout Group is welcome."

Scout Group "22nd April"
Brace Cubrilovica bb
78000 Banja Luka
Republic of Srpska
via Belgrad
Yugoslavia

The members of BSA Troop 100 heartily encourage you to visit their homepage at http://www.bl.ac.yu/~scout/index.html. We are sure as soon as you see the warm smiles of the boys and girls of the 22nd April Group, your hearts will melt. Indeed, when you sign their guestbook, please let them know Troop 100 at March Field recommended the visit. Understand that e-mail is not always working and reliable in BiH. You may have to send your message more than once to get it through. Please be sure to include your full name and snail-mail address. Your regular address is very important, because it is very possible that a Bosnian will not have access to a computer and much less, e-mail.

You may also address "Snail Mail" to:

CRC Ilidza
Kriste Hegedusica, b.b.
71210 Luzani, Ilidza
Bosnia-Herzegovina
attn: Isela Chevarria or Matt Hodges
John Crownover
e-mail:ybibl@modesty.urc.bl.ac.yu
tel/fax: 011-387-78-66-783

Let's truly be World Scouts! Let's pull together and encourage the movement to really take root and flourish in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Perhaps, in such a small way we can collectively encourage the peace process!

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It would be very helpful to us if you will let us know whether or not you will be sending a letter to a Bosnian Scout by signing our guestbook.

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