By Pavle Lakic (YES 2011-2012, Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosted by YFU in Roseville, MN)

International Women’s Day is held annually on March 8th to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and across nations. This is one of the most important holidays in Bosnia and Herzegovina, when women are reminded of their importance and greatness through small acts of kindness.

Based on last year's experience and excellent feedback, YES alumni Merima Muhic (YES 2015-2016, Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosted by ACES in Apex, NC) and Pavle Lakic (YES 2011-2012, Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosted by YFU in Roseville, MN) decided to repeat the same activity for International Women’s Day this year. Merima collected messages of support written by alumni for women hospitalized at the University Clinical Center in Tuzla. 

On the 8th of March, Pavle and his colleagues from the Department of Health Studies visited the clinic, where they distributed the messages and flowers to 39 women with chronic disease. Pavle and his colleagues already met several of the women last year, with whom they visited and made a record of their medical history.

"As a part of my monthly project, my colleagues from college and I visited University Clinical Center in Tuzla, where we took a moment to hand each women a flower and a message that were written by YES alumni as a small gift of appreciation. It was lovely to hear all the nice words and see the hugs and even tears of joy," says Pavle about his Women's Day project called "A message, a Flower, a Sequel."