JRS BiH: 45 years of serving people on the move

The celebration of JRS’s 45th anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on all the values that have guided us through nearly half a century of work: solidarity, community, and support for people on the move. This year, we decided to mark the anniversary in a way that includes our beneficiaries, partners, and the local community, while also highlighting the cultural and social diversity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Each activity provided an opportunity for connection, learning, creativity, and the expression of hope, which perfectly reflects our mission and commitment to the people we support.

At TRC Blažuj, we celebrated JRS’s 45th anniversary through an activity called “Blooming Together.” Participants wrote their wishes on paper leaves, ranging from expressions of gratitude to JRS, hopes for peace and safety, to personal dreams of success and a better future. Some expressed the desire to make their parents proud in the country they will call home, while others sent messages of peace for Sudan. The paper leaves were then placed on a symbolic communal tree, creating a visual representation of shared hopes and dreams. The celebration concluded with a birthday cake, and more than forty people joined the joyful gathering, enjoying each other’s company and a sense of community.

With beneficiaries from our Reception center for unaccompanied minors and a vulnerable group of children, we visited Mostar to connect the anniversary celebrations with learning about the cultural and religious diversity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the day, we visited the Franciscan Church of St. Peter and Paul, a prominent landmark of the Catholic community in the city built at the end of the nineteenth century. We then proceeded to the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, one of the most significant Orthodox churches in the region, which was restored after war damages and symbolizes resilience and community. Finally, we visited Hadži Kurtova Mosque, also known as Tabačica Mosque, built at the end of the sixteenth century and located above the Radobolja stream. The mosque has a historical connection to local craftsmen who worked in leather trades. We concluded the day with a shared lunch in Blagaj by the Buna river spring, where all participants could relax and share their impressions and experiences.

For women from TRC Ušivak, together with members of the local community, we organized a birthday celebration for JRS at Katkus Shop. The activity was intended as a moment for relaxation, creative expression, and mutual connection. Women painted their own ceramic pots, choosing colors and designs that were meaningful to them. Each participant received a small cactus and a decorated pot as a gift and a memento of the shared day. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, conversation, and the exchange of experiences. The day concluded with a walk through the old town, further strengthening the sense of community and relaxation.

At the Day center, we celebrated JRS’s 45th anniversary with the participation of beneficiaries, local organizations, and a school class. During the day, we reflected on the history of JRS, our values, and the mission that has guided us for nearly fifty years. Following the introductory session, participants took part in a creative activity, drawing portraits on postcards and writing short messages of support and hope. This activity allowed everyone to express their thoughts and feelings creatively, and the celebration concluded with a large cake, smiles, and shared enjoyment. Our partners from LAN and “Linija života” presented symbolic gifts, which further enriched this special day.

At TRC Lipa, we celebrated JRS’s anniversary through collective creativity and play in the family zone. Participants worked together on a mural titled “Beautiful bridge over troubled water,” symbolizing the journey of people forced to leave their homes in search of safety and a better life. The bridge in the mural represents hope, strength, and steps toward a better future, while the birds above symbolize remembrance of lives lost along migration routes. This creative activity allowed children and parents to express solidarity, compassion, and the importance of community, values that JRS has upheld for 45 years.

Through the celebration of JRS’s 45th anniversary, we wanted to demonstrate the importance of providing support and building community with people on the move, especially the most vulnerable. Whether creating together at PPC Blažuj and PPC Lipa, exploring Mostar and its rich cultural and religious heritage, sharing creative moments at Katkus Shop, or learning and connecting at the Day Centre, every encounter reminded us of the power of solidarity, compassion, and hope. These activities are not only a celebration of one anniversary but also a testament to our long-standing dedication, mission, and commitment to people seeking safety, support, and a home. With gratitude to everyone who participated, we look to the future together, continuing to build bridges of solidarity and extend a helping hand to those who need it most.