Mersiha Karic is the head of Islamic Relief’s Orphan Sponsorship Programme in Bosnia.
Established in 1992, shortly after the war began, our Orphan Sponsorship Programme now supports over 1,400 children in Bosnia. It provides a monthly stipend to cover schooling and health costs. Many of the children we've supported over the years have gone on to study and secure stable jobs.
“What is special to me is that one boy supported by the programme here finished primary school, high school and then studied aeronautics in Türkiye. Now he is specialising and works for Bosnia’s armed forces.
“Our children are generally successful. They work in different positions. Some in banks, as auto mechanics, as hairdressers.
“Besides financial assistance we also focus on providing psychological support and other forms of human kindness to people,” Mersiha says.
Mersiha was just a young girl when the war broke out, and like everyone from her town, she had to flee and leave her home behind.
She recalls how life changed in an instant. “From a carefree girl whose only worry was her homework, I had to grow up overnight in a moment.
“We had no electricity; it was a war zone.
“We saw soldiers passing to [got to] the front line and changing shifts and snipers and shells. If the [snipers] saw anyone in the yard during the day, they would shoot and shell us.
"I remember it was a struggle for us to get [to school] without being hit by a sniper.”
Islamic Relief was among the few international charities delivering lifesaving aid on the ground throughout the Bosnian War, and in the decades since it has remained a steadfast support for survivors.
We distributed food to centres where mothers and children were staying until they could return to their homes. These included iftar packs and qurbani meat packages.
“At that time, it helped a lot, and I believe it still helps today.
“Even as a young girl, I had the chance to be with those people when we were handing out food packages.
“I know how much it meant to a family to receive one, especially when you have nothing to eat and then you get that food package.
“My mission is to learn something new every day and through my work, to bring happiness or help to someone else,” Mersiha says.
