JRS BiH: Celebrating 44 years of humanitarian work

On November 14th, with pride and gratitude, we celebrated the 44th anniversary of the founding of our organization! On this day in 1980, Father Pedro Arrupe, then Superior General of the Society of Jesus, moved by the suffering of refugees, established JRS as a compassionate and committed response to the needs of those forced to flee their homes. His vision of accompaniment, service, and advocacy remains at the heart of our mission today.

To mark this significant anniversary, JRS Bosnia and Herzegovina organized celebrations at our Reception center for minor asylum seekers and vulnerable children in Sarajevo, as well as at the TRC in Ušivak and Blažuj, and the TRC in Borići and Lipa in Bihać.

At our Reception center for minor asylum seekers and vulnerable children in Sarajevo, an intimate celebration took place in the company of beneficiaries, friends, and partners, including Caritas Switzerland in BiH, the Ministry of Security of BiH, the Cantonal Center for Social Work, and IPSIA BiH. Animators brought joy through games and creative workshops, making this day unforgettable.

At TRC Blažuj, beneficiaries enjoyed activities such as “Cup connection” and the popular “Bingo,” with the festive atmosphere further enhanced by traditional music and a special JRS cake.

TRC Ušivak was filled with creativity through henna painting and decoration, along with the creation of a “JRS tree” where beneficiaries wrote messages. Following this, a game of “Bingo” took place, with winners receiving prizes.

At TRC Borići in Bihać, artistic talents were showcased through a painting competition, while the “Wall of gratitude” became a place for heartfelt messages from beneficiaries. We were especially delighted by the guests from JRS Italy.

At TRC Lipa, together with our partners from IPSIA BiH, we marked the celebration by setting up the “Maze of trust” game. Beneficiaries, paired in teams, guided a blindfolded partner through a series of challenging obstacles. Afterward, a karaoke competition took place, and everyone enjoyed music, cake, and snacks, creating a joyful and relaxed atmosphere that brought everyone together.

These celebrations were an opportunity for fellowship, fun, and gratitude, in the spirit of support and community that JRS has nurtured for over four decades. Thank you to everyone who was part of this special day!