Donors Meet Lifesaving Dogs and Landmine Survivors in Bosnia and Slovenia

MLI hosted this late June Balkan visit to allow donors to witness both the impact of landmines and the results of their charitable investment.

The group observed mine clearance operations around Sarajevo and met with local students participating in MLI’s CHAMPS Int’l program, which connects U.S. students to their landmine-survivor-peers across the world.

CHAMPS Program Manager Marija Trling introduced the donors to Kemal, a young survivor who received a prosthetic leg as a result of CHAMPS Int’l Student Leader Michaela Streep’s monumental fundraising efforts in Kingston, N.H. Each donor was able to view the direct effects of his or her donation. The Mignano family, part of Girl Scout Troop 820 of Williston, V.T., met the troop’s CHAMPS beneficiary Anita Vidovic, whose story you can read in our summer newsletter.

 

Meanwhile, the Parkinson family observed their sponsored mine detection dogs working with the Bosnian Office of Civil Protection. Ms. Joan Wismer visited two of her MDDs, who “sniff out” mines with BH Demining, as well as two more who are part of Pro Vita’s demining team. View larger photo

After enjoying the generous hospitality of Pro Vita and a scenic walk across the historic Mostar Bridge (pictured above), the delegation relaxed with local host Nermin Hadzimujagic at the Mine Detection Dog Center. There, New Lebanon School Principal Gene Nyitray met with the trainer of MDD Shadow and the Mignanos toured the facilities where their MDD was trained. The group explored a Sarajevo wartime tunnel and then flew to Slovenia to visit the Institute for Rehabilitation, where MLI has provided medical care to eight survivors over the past year, in partnership with the International Trust Fund (ITF). Many donors then continued on to Dubrovnik, Croatia—a picturesque way to end a successful and informative visit!