Heart

Stories that tug at your heartstrings, and make you appreciate what you may be taking for granted.

The Isolation of Old Age

Omanovic, 88 Bosnia

The Bosnian War lasted from 1992 - 1995. Hundreds of thousands of lives were taken, and nearly half the country was displaced. Many families fled as refugees to escape the conflict, what we now know was a genocide. But after the violence ended, many people, like Omanovic Hanife and her husband, made the decision to return. Because after all, Bosnia was home.

“We lost everything we had in the Bosnian War. Our house was destroyed and our son was killed in one of the camps. We were made refugees and only returned here in 2002. Even then we lived in a tent for six months. It was the help of good people that allowed us to rebuild our home.”

After three years of war, the Bosnian economy was in shambles. Jobs were hard to find, and as a result Omanovic’s three children were unable to stay with their parents. Many of them ended up moving to cities for better prospects. At first, it worked out.

“But now we are in our old age and have no money,” Omanovic tells us. “My husband is a pensioner and we mostly survive from his pension. But this income is mostly spent on medicines and paying our bills. It is impossible for us to afford meat even though it is affordable at the market.”

“We have always had to live a hard life, but now it’s even more difficult as we are old and sick and not able to look after ourselves. Due to the war, our neighbours are no longer here and our children are struggling in other cities. Seldom do people come and visit us now.”

Due to the tough economy, their children are barely able to make a living for themselves in the city. At the

time we visited her, all of her children were unemployed. The isolation that comes with old age is even more pronounced for this couple. “Eid al-Adha is a time when the family is together, but this has not been the case for us for many years.” She tells us that oftentimes, the Islamic Relief staff are the only visitors they get for months.

Even so, they don’t let their circumstances get them down. They remain optimistic in the help of Allah through good people. “Without the help of good people, we would not be able to taste meat at all. We place our trust in Allah. We’d like to thank everyone who participates in this good work. May Allah reward you all.”