OUR STORY
Bosnia-Herzegovina has not yet recovered economically and politically from the brutal civil war, and families that thrived before the war have not yet been able to regain emotional and financial stability, remaining trapped in a cycle of poverty and post-traumatic stress. Ethnic tensions continue, limiting job opportunities, social interactions, and community involvement that force families to navigate complex ethnic barriers built before them. The resulting high unemployment means families remain trapped in a cycle of poverty and post-traumatic stress, and the only path out is through higher education.
We know education is the answer that will empower the youth of BiH to change these stories. Each person obtaining a degree has opportunities to build a new reality for themselves, their families, their communities, and the entire nation. They have stronger access to necessities such as food, housing, and healthcare, all of which create more robust and more stable home environments for every generation in their families.
But with few scholarships or student loan options, the path remains challenging. This is where Jericho steps in to create opportunities where there are none and impacts the region, one student at a time. We provide scholarships to an ethnically and religiously diverse group, helping build bridges that overcome ethnic barriers. Empowering these marginalized youth provides opportunities to promote unity and diversity.
THE BEGINNING
My sister-in-law and I discussed the news coverage of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) with an aching heart for the horrible atrocities against women and children. We often asked ourselves, "why isn't anyone doing something to help?" One day, the conversation shifted; my sister-in-law told me that she had decided to travel to BiH and aid those who had been forgotten. In my heart, I knew the country needed help; I just didn't know the help would come from someone I cared about.