A laptop for Sarajevo

Bristol Wireless was recently contacted on behalf of the Healing Hands Network to see if we could help provide a laptop computer for Amir, a 27-year old resident of Sarajevo and Bosnian civil war victim, to enable him to turn his life around and help him gain the qualifications to find work.

After being nearly killed on his way to school by being shot on a tram when he was 14 years old, Amir’s life was saved by Bosnian surgeons working under fire and impossible conditions on the front line. Thirteen years later, he has grown up into a very sensitive, bright individual, speaking fluent English and French, with excellent practical and mental abilities. However, like most young Sarajevans, he has never had a proper job, although Healing Hands Network has arranged for him to take a proficiency English course that would enable him to teach English and has also been offered help to learn office skills. Nevertheless, Amir desperately needs a computer in order to do these.

After hearing of Amir, how could we not respond?

At the time of writing (Wednesday), the Pentium III laptop destined for Amir (and kindly provided by our recycling friends at Byteback) is currently being prepared by Bristol Wireless volunteer Andy Sabel. The laptop is running AntiX, a lightweight version of SimplyMEPIS, and is ready for use with the usual range of office, internet, multimedia and graphics applications. We hope Amir likes it. 🙂

The laptop leaves for Sarajevo either on Thursday or Friday, having been collected by Colette Wadsworth of Healing Hands Network. We at Bristol Wireless wish you luck, Amir, and please let us know how you get on with your computer!