Subject: BosNet ACTION - SArajevo Winter Appeal From: Nermin Zukic ------------------------------------------------------------------------ B o s N e t - Sept. 4, 1995 ======================================================================== Also available on Usenet as BIT.LISTSERV.BOSNET ________________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe send mail to DOC.IC.AC.UK, WITHOUT the subject: UNSUB BOSNEWS. Default format is set to DIGEST, if you have problems please contact moderator(s). ________________________________________________________________________ Sarajevo Winter Report/Appeal #3 BACKGROUND Last February a few netters in the US and Sarajevo started the "Sarajevo Winter" project, which wired cash to Sarajevo for distribution amongst the people of a neighborhood to help them get through the winter months. We set up a bank account, found a way to wire money to Sarajevo reliably, and appealed for contributions. Our Sarajevan team member distributed the money amongst needy people of his acquaintance. Over the winter we collected and sent a total of $1900 to Sarajevo, which has been shared amongst a total of 30 people. We also carried $900 to individuals at the request of netters who heard of our project; and we sent a small amount of money to Bihac. THE QUESTION OF PROFITEERS We decided that money sent to Sarajevo would work against the black market if people could lay in supplies during those times when the city was relatively open and prices low. We decided that it was more important to help people with immediate necessities in this way rather than worry too much about the profits of those who were bringing goods in during the siege. We would have sent more money to Bihac, but the situation there was different than in Sarajevo, and our Bihacan team member advised that such aid at the time was not useful. END OF THE FIRST PHASE, BEGINNING OF THE SECOND Supplying money to Sarajevan friends during the winter was a successful project. However, the task of distributing the money - and having large amounts of money in hand - was a burden to our Sarajevan team member, and we are not currently soliciting contributions for that particular activity. However, during the first phase we have identified specific needs in Sarajevo and also Tuzla, that can be met through Sarajevo Winter wires, and are now appealing for help in meeting them. Our current projects are: 1. We are helping a Sarajevan soldier who lost his foot after stepping on a mine; this soldier needs remedial surgery, and a decent prosthesis. His wound is not serious enough to require medical evacuation, and we are attempting to supply the funds he needs to get proper care in Sarajevo. We have arranged for a US doctor to consult with the Sarajevan doctor via email, and the prosthesis will be built either in the US or Sarajevo, depending upon the siege situation. NEED: $1,000 2. We were able to deliver a number of solar-panel battery chargers and portable stoves to Sarajevo during the winter, and have been told that these made a big difference to people. We would like to procure and deliver more. NEED: $500 3. We have begun a project "Tuzla Disabled Online" to allow the mobility-disabled community in Tuzla to communicate with their peers in other countries via email. We are hoping to supply two groups, the Union of War Invalids and the Association of Dystrophics, with the hardware needed to bring people online and also provide training in computer skills. Deltacomm ltd, a telecomm company in Tuzla, will provide the necessary technical help. NEED: $2,500. IF YOU WANT TO HELP: Donations for these projects may be sent to our account by wire or check. Wires: Ask your bank to send the wire to State Street Bank of Boston routing number 0110-000-28 with the following information: PLEASE CREDIT: Roxbury Highlands Bank account number 90322801 FOR THE BENEFIT OF: Sarajevo Winter account number 010023701 Checks: To avoid wire fees, you can send a check, money order, or bank draft (US funds) to: Sarajevo Winter (acct. 23701) c/o Roxbury-Highland Bank 515 Centre St. Jamaica Plain MA 02130 USA The check should be made out to "Sarajevo Winter". If you want a personal receipt, send your contribution to: Sarajevo Winter c/o Ed Agro 32 Robinwood Ave #2 Jamaica Plain MA 02130 USA For more information, send email to eagro@igc.apc.org or pamelacd@aol.com Thanks to all who have contributed to the previous Sarajevo Winter project, and thanks in advance to all who contribute to this appeal -- Ed Agro, Pamela Crocker-Davis, William Hunt ________________________________________________________________________ Opinions expressed/published on BosNews/BosNet-B do NOT necessarily always reflect the views of (all of the members of) Editorial Board, and/or moderators, nor any of their host institutions. Zeljko Bodulovic Dzevat Omeragic Davor Wagner Nermin Zukic