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Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bosnia-Herzegovina
faces enormous political and economic challenges. Nearly
20% of the population are below the poverty line and
another 30% are close to it.
Bosnia
and Herzegovina is home to several ethnic groups of
different religious and cultural identities, including
Bosnian Muslims (officially known as Bosniaks), Serbs,
Croats, and a small number of Roma. There is a
significant concentration of poverty among ethnic
minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina such as the Roma.
Poverty
rates for Roma range between four and ten times that of
non-Roma, and Roma are subject to numerous livelihood
insecurities (including poor education and health
status, limited access to employment, and
discrimination), which contribute to their high
vulnerably and social exclusion. |
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The
Saint Clare program was born as a response to an urgent fax
received from Ravno, Bosnia-Herzegovina in January 2000. The fax
requested desperately needed help in obtaining an ambulance,
medicines and medical supplies for their health clinic.
Within one week, the founders collected over $3,500.00 worth of
medicine and medical supplies, $800.00 in children's medicine and
$878.00 in cash. A trip was made to Ravno February 1, 2000 to
deliver these needed supplies. Upon arrival, the doctor receiving
the supplies broke down and cried. He said, "I have only read
about these types of medicines, but have never seen them
before." The cash was used to pay their electric bill and
purchase an oxygen unit for the health clinic.
This small village health clinic serves a total community of 2,500
people in the surrounding 500 square mile area. The majority of
the residents are elderly. Ravno is located two miles from the
current Serbian border.
The closest hospitals are 55 and 75 miles
away. There are only four telephones in the town, which makes
emergency situations even more difficult.
The countryside is very
rugged, making any ride on the gravel roads uncomfortable for
patients, especially those in critical condition. The clinic was
using a 15-year-old station wagon as an ambulance. This story was
featured in the Spring 2000 issue of Medjugorje Magazine and, as a
result of the article; enough funds were raised to purchase a
customized ambulance car for the Ravno Health Clinic.
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View
of Ravno and Serbian border |
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Old
Ravno Health Clinic bombed during the war |
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Delivery
of medical supplies in 2000 |
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Sister,
area residents and Nancy Latta in Ravno |
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Doctor's
office in the Health Clinic |
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Dental
chair in the Health Clinic |
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New
ambulance for Ravno Health Clinic |
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