Two brothers. Ten-year-old Muhamed has autism, and twelve-year-old Mersad is a fully disabled. He has epilepsy. He does not speak or hear. Until last year, they lived in an inadequate house in the village of Kazagići near Goražde in Bosnia. Together with their parents who struggled to provide them with the basics for living.
The walls in the house were black with mold, and the furniture was damp. The space was overcrowded with things, untidy, and neglected. Everything smelled of mildew.
The boys slept on dilapidated beds over which several blankets and pillows were piled. They had no space for rest or study. Most of the time, they spent outdoors.
Donations from all over the world
After visiting the family together with Emira Hodžić, president of the Association for Persons with Special Needs of the Bosnian-Podrinje Canton, the "Second" Foundation launched an appeal for assistance in renovating and furnishing the house via social media. The campaign lasted several months, and a total of 6,560.00 BAM (3.350 EUR) was raised in cash donations, as well as materials, household appliances, furniture, clothing, craftsman services, and transportation services valued at approximately 11,500.00 BAM (5.873 EUR).
"People from all over the world came forward to help the boys have normal living conditions. It started with renovating their room so the boys could sleep in warmth and cleanliness. After the room was renovated with the personal, selfless commitment of the Association's president, Emira Hodžić, the boys did not want to leave it. They also contributed by painting and cleaning with her," recalls Belma Mujezinović, director of the "Second" Foundation.
Later, the owner of Karbon nova company, Hajrudin Huseinbegović, joined the entire project, engaging and coordinating a team of craftsmen in Goražde and Sarajevo. The result was the replacement of electrical and plumbing installations, which were broken, installation of new tiles, laminate flooring, and replacement of doors. Frischeis company donated high-quality Egger chipboard for the new kitchen, and a carpenter from Sarajevo, Sead, made and installed it for free in their home.
From the collected cash donations, the following items were purchased: construction materials, plumbing materials, electrical materials, metal kitchen parts, sink, vacuum cleaner, curtains, curtain rods, two faucets, bedding, duvets, pillows, towels, wood stove, refrigerator, chandelier, rugs, cleaning and house maintenance supplies, food and hygiene packages for the family, clothing, school supplies, two school backpacks, bicycle parts, two months' worth of food for the cow, as well as seed potatoes and onions for their extensive agricultural land. Fees for the electrician and plumber were also covered, along with the installation of laminate flooring and doors, and transportation of the kitchen from Sarajevo to Goražde.
"Muhamed loves animals and cared for them according to his understanding. He had four cats, a dog, and a rabbit, so we provided food for them, treated them for parasites, and one generous donor even contributed money for the rabbit's cage. Unfortunately, both the dog and rabbit later passed away. We also transported one sick cat to Sarajevo, where she underwent several months of treatment for various illnesses. Due to her contagious FIV condition, we were unable to return her, so she remained in our Cat Residence space in Sarajevo," explained Mujezinović, who has been in almost daily contact with the boys' mother for the past year, offering guidance and assistance with various issues.
Other donors who participated in furnishing and renovating the house
Furniture Center INOWEST: two new sofas and a desk
TR Sensa Sarajevo: paint for painting, doors, and laminate
Thermoluxx: liquid thermal insulation
Anis Novalic: free transportation of a full van of second-hand furniture from Sarajevo to Goražde
Citizens of Sarajevo: corner sofa, dining table, chairs, dresser, coffee table, wardrobe, food, paint for the walls
Index company: Gorenje electric stove
Murex: wall and floor ceramic tiles for the kitchen
Hilsaf: waterproofing insulation
TMP Sarajevo, Society for Employment of Blind and Visually Impaired Persons of the Sarajevo Canton: transportation of painters Osman Karačić and his colleague from Sarajevo who painted the house
Anonymous company from Goražde: full truck of gravel for cushioning around the house
Eniad Rizvić from Goražde: ceramic tile installation and purchase of part of the materials for laying tiles
Anonymous donor: Bicycle
The family is a member of the Association for Persons with Special Needs of the Bosnian-Podrinje Canton, with which the "Second" Foundation has a cooperation agreement. The association has 35 families with one or two people with special needs.
The project of collecting donations for renovating and furnishing the home for this family has been completed.
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If you would like to help other families in need in Eastern Bosnia, you can do so by donating to the "Second" Foundation's account with the note "Donation for Eastern Bosnia".
SECOND FOUNDATION
NURIJE POZDERCA 8, SARAJEVO
BAM: 1413115320025053
or
EUR/USD IBAN: BA391413115310005729, SWIFT: BBIBBA22XXX, Bosna Bank International DD Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Additionally, donations can be made through PayPal at the address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling the unique humanitarian number for all telecom operators in Bosnia and Herzegovina: 17077, where you can donate 2 KM for this selfless cause.
We thank everyone who has already supported this noble initiative.