love is the salve
In 2014 I spent a few weeks in Bosnia working with young people through a non-profit organization. I stayed with a host family in Sanski-Most and had the opportunity to visit other cities in the vicinity. The beauty of the country was only matched by the complexity of the history. What struck me most though, was the energy families in Sanski-Most put in to building strong bonds with each other.
Grafitti in Sarajevo.
Grafitti in Sanski Most on the side of a garage.
Men in Sarajevo play a large game of chess.
Grafitti and announcements on a wall in Sarajevo.
A panoramic shot taken from the Sanski Most bridge in the center of town. Bosnia is known for their beautiful waterways and each town has it's own bridge.
My "little sister" Zarah, the youngest of my host family's children.
Celebrating a second birthday in Sanski Most.
A quiet moment on a light hike to Bliha Falls right outside of Sanski Most.
Zarah's parents protect her from the Bliha waterfall spray with an opened sandwhich bag.
Students show us through a local school in Sanski Most that had been damaged by severe flooding.
A market in Mostar.
Large delivery trucks filled with remains found in a mass grave make their way through Sanski Most. It is estimated that at least 100,000 people were killed during the Bosnian war from 1992-1995. Ethnic cleansing occurred during the war as large numbers of Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Croats were murdered and their bodies often left in mass graves around Bosnia.
Residents of Sanski Most line up to pay their respects as a caravan of delivery trucks filled with remains recently found in a mass grave makes it way through their town.
A wooden ladder rests against a building in Sarajevo leading to the roof and an open sky.