The ACE Rapid Reaction Corps
For the past three months Soldiers of the Echelon Transport Troop,
part of the Support Battalion Headquarters ACE Rapid reaction Corps,
have been working to help a number of schools and Kindergartens in
the Sarajevo area.
Initially we have been involved with the distribution
of clothes and toys that had been collected by the forces families back
in Germany. More recently we have been concentrating our efforts on one
particular Kindergarten named "Quince" that was in a state of bad repair.
Quince
In the war the building in which the Kindergarten is located was the
Headquarters of one of the warring factions and therefore the defences around
the location were still intact and this gave no areas for the children
to play in.
It was decided that one of the first tasks that needed to be
undertaken was to clear the playground of defences (barbed wire etc) and to
remove the large concrete slabs of blast walling from around the building
to let the natural light into the building.
A team of willing volunteers was produced and using our own heavy lift
facilities the task was completed.
The team is assisted by Miss Maja Glinac,
a local girl who gives up her own spare time to help as an interpreter
for the soldiers.
| There is still a great deal of work to be done on the
interior of the building and this will be the next priority.
The delivery of welfare stores continues unabated and the most recent
consignment of toys was donated by the ODA in conjunction with the EDP
newspaper.
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| The children in Bosnia are still desperately short of most things.
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If there is anything you would like to donate to help with the work being
done in Sarajevo then you should contact Lt Steve Jermy by letter at the
address below:
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Lt S P Jermy
TPT TP COMD
Minden Lines
Zetra Stadium
Sarajevo
BFPO 543
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Other Projects
Professor of History William Hunt from the University of St Lawerence in the USA has
been continually striving to help the people of Yugoslavia during the conflict and
now with the re-building of the country. His efforts have included the gathering of
educational matter and generally aiding the local students.
Mission Statement
To give hope to children who have nowhere to live, due to war or disaster,
by providing them with a home
"....When we first saw the Bjelave Orphanage in Sarajevo, mortar fire and shelling -
including 11 direct hits - had turned it into a ruin....
No water or electricity, no windows, hardly any floor. Here 150 Croatian, Muslim
and Serbian children were trying to survive. In April 1995, we commisioned a local
contractor to restore and refurbish the building. Work is now complete,
and the children once again have a hopeful environment to live in....".
For more information please contact
Colonel Mark Cook OBE
Hopes and Homes for Children
East Clyffe
Salisbury
SP3 4LZ
Tel (01722) 790111
Fax (01722) 790024
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