Soccer Uniforms & Medical Supplies to Bosnia

Giving Children Hope-Bosnia office welcomes shipment of uniforms and medical goods

On June 18, 2007 GCH Bosnia received a container of soccer uniforms, bean soup, wheel chairs, and a variety of medical supplies which were distributed in Zenica and throughout the country. Bosnian needs have recently shifted from humanitarian aid to practical items such as soccer uniforms. GCH is responding to these changing realities by working with staff on the ground in Bosnia who has the best understanding of community needs.

GCH collaborated with local soccer schools, the municipality of Zenica, the Bosnian government, an orphanage in Zenica, and a Catholic charity, Caritas. GCH estimates that approximately 2,500 children in soccer schools will benefit from the donated uniforms. These uniforms are making a tangible positive impact in the community and local schools are thrilled to be able to equip children with matching uniforms. In the future GCH hopes to collaborate with local sports associations by bringing second-hand sports equipment from the U.S. for distribution throughout children’s sports programs in Bosnia.

As part of the shipment, GCH delivered approximately $10,000 in bean soup to local soup kitchens where it is anticipated to make an impact on 1,500 lives. The delivery also included the distribution of wheelchairs and other medical equipment to be used throughout the country. GCH is particularly excited about a twelve-year old boy with a severe muscle disorder who was previously unable to sit up in a regular wheel chair but now has a new special chair that enables him to sit up alone and allows his family to be more mobile.

If you’d like to advance the community development initiatives in Bosnia or around the world, please donate on-line or send in a check to our office. Thank you for your partnership to progress Giving Children Hope’s work internationally!