Therapies In Bosnia

Therapy Charity Working In Bosnia by Jane Thurnell-Read

Though the Bosnian war ended in 1995, those with injuries/trauma are still suffering, as are their families. Many are left in poverty, as their breadwinners were killed/injured during the war. Sarah Greenwood and Karen Tinker decided they needed to help. They had both been to Bosnia before through a charity giving treatments to those suffering war injuries/trauma.

They realised that there was a need for qualified therapists in Bosnia full-time, as the treatments given by the charity only reached a small percentage of those needing them, and for a limited time each year. Sarah founded a new charity Phoenix-Aid (UK Registered Charity Number 1103938) with the full intent of training Bosnian nationals in order that they would be able to treat their own people year round.

To date the charity has:

• Run several courses in Indian head massage, Swedish/holistic massage, reflexology and aromatherapy
• Run a basic quantum touch (energy healing) course
• Run a basic Hopi ear candling course
• Worked with some homes for physically and mentally ‘challenged’ people of all ages, giving free treatments to residents when they can. They and their students are in the middle of setting up regular visits to the homes to give aromatherapy, Swedish massage, reflexology and Indian head massage
• Set up the first riding for the disabled scheme in Bosnia. This has been very successful. For example, an 11 year old boy spoke for the first time during his first riding lesson, having suffered a shell-shock type trauma during the war when a baby, which robbed him of the ability/will to develop speech.

There have been constraints of time and money, but the two women have tried to make the courses as comprehensive as possible with lots of useful, technical and practical input. Karen told me:

All the students we have taught so far have thoroughly enjoyed what they have learned and we have had very positive feedback about their intent to use our training to good effect in Bosnia.

Plans for the future include setting up of an institute based in Bosnia with a fully recognised international examination board to provide certificated courses with an international qualification. They also plan to set up an Equine Facilitated Learning Scheme. Many people can benefit from this, as the care of horses brings relaxation, bonding, stress relief and an interest outside the situation in which the war victims/disabled are living.

The Financial Part
Sarah and Karen are the only working members of Phoenix-Aid, doing all their own fund raising, teaching, organising etc. Even when back home, they constantly work for the goals of Phoenix, which are to “train, facilitate and create employment” for those still suffering from war injuries/trauma/poverty.

They are very much in need of funds and would appreciate any help people are able to give in this respect. They need essential oils and consumables, ear candles, carrier oils, charts and books each time they go over, so any help with this would be greatly appreciated also.

Read one therapist's account of her trip to Bosnia with this charity.

For more information, see www.phoenix-aid.org.
There are addresses on the website for donations, or you can send a donation to Sarah Greenwood, Upper Midgley Farm, Midgley, Wakefield, WF4 4JH, UK. Telephone: 01924 830025