Winter aid brings hope, warmth and safety to families in need

A mother’s fear as winter closes in

When the temperature drops, Esmerelda’s fear rises. As the mother of young four children, winter brings overwhelming challenges to her and her husband, Eldin.

Temperatures drop, heating costs rise, work dries up, and every coin must be stretched just to put food on the table.

Eldin works every hour he can, but firewood – their only source of heat – is too expensive. Both parents spend long days searching for scraps of wood to burn, even covering the windows with blankets just to keep the cold out.

“The family live in a little house that’s in very poor condition. As soon as the winter sets in, they really feel the freezing cold weather,” says Sandra – who works for Mission Without Borders in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mission Without Borders delivers firewood and hope

Sandra, who is Bosnian herself, understands the challenges that Esmerelda, Eldin, and their children face every day. “Some people must fight every day to survive, and I would definitely say that’s the case for this young family,” she said.

When she arrived with enough firewood from Mission Without Borders to last through the winter, Esmerelda couldn’t hold back her tears. For her, firewood means safety, dignity, and the comfort of knowing her children will sleep warmly through Sarajevo’s bitter nights.

As well as the firewood, the warmth of Sandra’s friendship has shone a bright light into the lives of every family member.

“When I first met Esmeralda, she was very shy and she didn’t talk much. After some time, she’s opened up,” Sandra said. “Over time, we’ve built a good relationship, and I’m very happy that we now have deeper conversations.”

Help us keep families warm this winter

In her role as family coordinator, Sandra visits Eldin and Esmerelda and their children regularly, bringing food and other necessities, and staying to chat and spend time with everyone.

“Sandra is a gift sent directly from God,” Esmerelda said.

While the firewood brought the promise of a safe and cosy winter, Sandra’s presence brings something even more valuable – the knowledge that the family are loved and not facing the future alone. Thanks to Mission Without Borders, Eldin and Esmerelda have hope that the future holds brighter and warmer days for them – and that God sees them and cares for them.

This winter, you can help keep families warm—through firewood, support, and the warmth of friendship.