Healing Hands for the Victims of the Bosnian War Atrocities
Reiki is one of several therapies used to great effect with the victims of the terrible war and atrocities that took place in Sarajevo in the 1990's by the British charity Healing Hands Network (www.healinghandsnetwork.org.uk). The charity provides Reiki, Massage and other therapies to people who have lost limbs, whose family members are dead or missing, or who were raped and tortured during the siege of the city by Serbian armies.
During the siege of Sarajevo, libraries, schools and sports halls were turned into concentration camps where people and children were physically and sexually abused, men and women were raped and tortured.
As if enduring such treatment at the hands of soldiers wasn't bad enough, Bosnians continue to have serious problems. There are a large number of refugees in Sarajevo and many people are without jobs, homes or even basic food. A number of local organisations have been formed to help local people; one for those shot during the siege, one for the victims of house arrest and concentration camps, one for the widows of Srebrenica, and one for those women and men who suffered multiple rape. Healing Hands Network works with these associations who give them a list of members who would benefit from have regular treatments from their therapists.
Treatments are extremely well received by people who are still suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and grief. Some have shrapnel embedded in their bodies, while others have lost arms or legs when they were hit by a grenade or shell. Over the years Healing Hands Network has been working out there the therapists have seen positive change in the people who say that they now walk tall and have more hope in their lives.
The treatment centre sounds such a grand name but it is just a run down house that Healing Hands rent, where we work and where we sleep. From this house we travel to outreach villages very early in the morning in a taxi driven by a local man called Salid. His splendid taxi just about trundles along, sitting in the back (with no seat belts) it feels like it doesn't connect with the front of the car! Hills can be a problem also; in fact sometimes it would be quicker to walk!
Reiki has taught me so much; this extraordinary spiritual practice facilitates healing on multiple levels: with trust I continue to give it.
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Jenny Newman is going back for a second time to Sarajevo on August 22nd 2009 and needs to raise £1000 funds for the trip. If you would like to make a donation you can do so at the My Charity Page website here: http://www.mycharitypage.com/healinghandsnetwork. Any donations made on line will be ‘gift aided' which add to the amount.