First: The Community of Bosnia has been officially granted tax deductable and tax exempt status as a non-profit corporation (501c3). We are writing letters of thanks to Martha Hurt, Janet Marcus, Kathy Costanza, and Sandi Porter, the latter two of whom did the detailed legal documentation necessary for this crucial category.
Second: The book Haven by Ruth Gruber tells the story of 1000 refugees, mostly Jewish, who were brought to the U.S. at the end of WW2 despite all kinds of bureaucratic inertia and opposition. Those who came here, particularly those of college age, went on to make contributions to world society far beyond any possible statistical probability or even beyond what their previous school records would have shown. They had been through the hell of genocide and education to them was the most cherished of possible opportunities. They did not waste a particle of it.
Now, as organized genocide in Bosnia continues, the Community of Bosnia is beginning to get those "April letters" with news on our major effort to get scholarships for talented Bosnian refugee students who survived "ethnic cleansing" and the deliberate cultural genocide aimed at teachers, students,and professionals. NOTHING brings more hope to a refugee family than the ability of one of their members to continue education. Nothing thwards the cultural genocide campaign more than stopping the waste of a promising student intellectual career. Nothing can better enrich a college community with the full geopolitical dimensions of cultural and ethnic conflict than having an articulate and talent Bosnian survivor within the community.
Good news at Swarthmore, West Chester, and Villanova and Earlham. The academic lives of four truly remarkable Bosnian students will be supported by these fine institutions. The Community of Bosnia will be drafting special awards of recognition to all four institutions. In my book in progress I will have a chapter devoted to the kind of people who went against the current and acted to help Bosnian students, refugees, women, children, and others. Please join me in welcoming and celebrating out Bosnian neighbors of this coming year and in appreciating those who helped to make it possible.
1) West Chester Has offered a four year tuition scholarship to Suljo Linic from the Kamp Veli Jose refugee detainment center in Croatia, along with Toefl (English) special help. Special gratitute to Professor Lawrence Davidson for his persistent efforts.
2) Villanova: Four year full tuition offered to Irvana Kapetanovic, a truly remarkable student from Prijedor (the heart of the Ethnic Cleansing horror). Special gratitude to Barbara Wall, Director of Villanova's Center for Peace and Justice and to Professor William Werpehowski, Department of Religion and Center for Peace and Justice.
3) Swarthmore: Full scholarship (board, room, tuition) to Djevad Sukilovic of Bijeljina, a talented and outstanding student now in a Hungarian refugee (prison) camp surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards. Special thanks to Director Wallace Ayers of Admissions, to Steve Sowards, and to President Al Bloom.
4) Outside our immediate area, Earlham College has offered a full, four year scholarship to Sandro Alisic, a student with superb literary gifts, from Prijedor.
I just came from a dinner on Sunday for 12 Bosnian students at Pendle Hill. I cannot tell you how extraordinary these people are. The Community of Bosnia will be offering every kind of possible support for these cherished new members of our neighborhood.
I hope to have more news soon in Issue 2 of the Community of Bosnia Newsletter now in preparation.
MS
(We have heard initially disappointing news from Bryn Mawr but we are hoping it is not final and working to find out how it can be redressed. I'll update you soon on the situation there.).