I've just spent the last three weeks at the Brethren Volunteer Service orientation (unit #277) in Missouri! We lived on $2.25 a day for food, picked up trash in parks, discussed social justice issues and sang just about every pre-meal camp song that there is.
On October 22, I'm flying out for a three-day mini-orientation in Geneva. After that, I'll take the train to my new home for the next two years-- Mostar, Bosnia-Hercegovina! I'll be working at a youth cultural center called OKC Abrasevic as a program assistant. Basically, the organization exists to provide cultural outlets for youth-- film festivals, concerts, art workshops and more. These events are an opportunity for Bosnian Muslim, Croat and Serb youth to spend time together in a non-sectarian environment, as well as giving them something to do (the local unemployment rate is very high.) I can help by writing grants, editing project proposals and reports in English and hopefully coming up with some projects of my own. I have a lot to learn-- language, history, culture-- and I am so excited for the challenge. The center has a website: www.okcabrasevic.org
Now I need to work on packing! hopefully this blog will be a good way to keep in touch with all of you over the next two years. Thanks for reading. :)
love,
Katie
