I first met three activists from the Balkans in 1997—from Kosovo, Croatia and Bosnia/Herzegovina. I was immediately impressed by all three—their great feminist energy and intellect and compassion and generosity, their creative approaches to creating solutions for community change and their determination to cross borders and support their sisters in activism while their fathers, brothers and politicians were shooting one another down, was profound. In 1998 I made a visit to the region and everything I had felt in the initial meetings was confirmed and greatly expanded. I started the Heart & Hand Fund in 1999 in a response to the Serbian government’s aggressive behaviors in Kosovo. The New York Times was full of photos of Kosovars off in boxcars to unknown refugee camps with a laptop under one arm and children or pets under the other arm. My friends and eventually people I didn’t know, people from around the world, responded generously to my letter with $200,000—I think partially
because we realized that this could happen to us. Since then, many of Heart & Hand’s donors have given each and every year since 1999. Every dollar has gone to support our grantees.
I haven’t been to The Balkans since September of 2019. This has been an unwelcome and uneasy big change in my life. The changes we have seen in our own country in that time have been happening in many places around the world and magnified greatly in the Balkans. I have, of course, stayed in touch with our partners. A few have been stricken with Covid and recovered (I read somewhere that the Balkans have the highest vaccination hesitancy in Europe and perhaps in the world). Some of the hesitancy could be simply access. More than a year into the pandemic, in Bosnia vaccinations were not easily available unless you were willing and comfortable to go to the Serbian part of the country or Serbia itself. In general, it appears that only half of the people are fully vaccinated.
In Croatia, many activists have survived two earthquakes in which their office spaces were totally wrecked. Bosnia is experiencing unemployment over 32%. Domestic violence is up everywhere. Homophobia is rampant. While reports occur every year that Bosnia/ Herzegovina is failing, it seems even more credible these days. The Bosnian Serb leader is threatening to secede the Serbski region of Bosnia/Herzegovina. If that were to happen, what with Serbia’s strong links these days to Russian and China, all of Europe might get involved and yet another war may emerge. Croatia, Bosnia/Herzegovina and Serbia have been greatly stretched for years with Iraqi, Syrian and now Afghani refugees. They are not welcome by the governments and are often brutally moved to isolated places where they are subject to landmines if they try to leave these camps that barely have tents with no water or services or toilets or medical aid. Of course, our partners are there to help but, in these days, they are also very stretched with their own missions and caring for their families and staff.
And yet in spite of all this dire news globally and regionally, our partners continue with their work and seemingly find joy and a determination to keep on working. Many have received international awards.
In my own news, I wrote to our partners over two months ago with word it is time for me to retire. I turn 80 next year. Obviously, this decision is bittersweet. I love these groups and these women. We have stood side-by-side in the darkest times, not only as political allies, but also as friends. I know that our friendships will continue, and their important work will continue to flourish. I will miss our lively conversations. But I find my own energy greatly diminished these days and without the office help I had before Covid I am feeling very stretched to keep up with everything.
Heart & Hand has been an important source of funding and support. We’ve been able to do what we do, because of your support. It is our intention to leave each group with two years of funding and hopefully with a bit added in for well-being. I hope you will be able to give one more time to The Heart & Hand Fund. Heart & Hand will be open to taking donations through June of 2022 so if it’s easier to give once this year and another gift in 2022 please do so by June of 2022. If you have any questions, please feel free to write or call me. Thank you for supporting and sharing this journey all these many years and thank you for all that you do in your own lives.
-- Marta Drury
