Our Story
The Jericho Foundation was founded by Joanna Shields of Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was personally affected by the war in Bosnia when her sister-in-law, Collette Webster was the first American aid worker killed on September 27, 1993. The brutal war (1992-1995) killed an estimated 200,000, and displaced 2.2 million people in aggressive fighting and ethnic cleansing that pitted Christians against Muslims, neighbor against neighbor, and Serbians, Croatians, and Bosnians against each other.
During her visit to a Bosnian refugee camp in 1995, Joanna became close with 9-year old Melisa and her family, who had been forced to flee from their home at the height of the war. When it came time to say good-bye, Melisa said "please don't forget us". Those words penetrated Joanna's heart.
In 1999, Joanna traveled back to Bosnia and sought out the family she had grown to love through letters for the last four years. Because Melisa's village was destroyed the entire family was living in cramped conditions, the leftover remains of a post war structure. What Joanna saw changed her life forever. She was determined to do something beyond writing letters. She wanted to help Melisa and her family to find hope in what seemed like a hopeless situation.
Joanna's dream was a non-profit foundation that reached out to children to re-build their lives with hope. She set up the Jericho Foundation to rally monthly donors that could come alongside children, and change their legacy. The Jericho foundation received 501 (c )3 status in 2000.
Today, Jericho raises thousands of dollars each year to bring tangible hope to the oppressed people of Bosnia, through health care, opportunities, personal relationships and education. Through these pursuits (and a special focus on youth) Jericho is helping this war-torn country rebuild itself one child at a time and become a self-sustaining thriving country once again.
What's behind the generosity of the donors, volunteers and supporters of Jericho?
The answer is Love.
"Love your neighbor as yourself"...Luke 10:27
During her visit to a Bosnian refugee camp in 1995, Joanna became close with 9-year old Melisa and her family, who had been forced to flee from their home at the height of the war. When it came time to say good-bye, Melisa said "please don't forget us". Those words penetrated Joanna's heart.
In 1999, Joanna traveled back to Bosnia and sought out the family she had grown to love through letters for the last four years. Because Melisa's village was destroyed the entire family was living in cramped conditions, the leftover remains of a post war structure. What Joanna saw changed her life forever. She was determined to do something beyond writing letters. She wanted to help Melisa and her family to find hope in what seemed like a hopeless situation.
Joanna's dream was a non-profit foundation that reached out to children to re-build their lives with hope. She set up the Jericho Foundation to rally monthly donors that could come alongside children, and change their legacy. The Jericho foundation received 501 (c )3 status in 2000.
Today, Jericho raises thousands of dollars each year to bring tangible hope to the oppressed people of Bosnia, through health care, opportunities, personal relationships and education. Through these pursuits (and a special focus on youth) Jericho is helping this war-torn country rebuild itself one child at a time and become a self-sustaining thriving country once again.
What's behind the generosity of the donors, volunteers and supporters of Jericho?
The answer is Love.
"Love your neighbor as yourself"...Luke 10:27
Jericho founder Joanna Shields with college scholarship recipient Elvedin in 2006.
"Please don't forget me..."
Melisa and Alisa with their mother in 1995 in the refugee camp, where Joanna first met them. Melisa is the first graduated, scholarship recipient. Alisa is a current college student funded by Jericho.
Dr. Sime Curkovic, a 2009 Project HOPE trip attendee spends time with one of many new friends he made at the orphanage in Zenica, Bosnia.