This statement was given by Muzafer Teskeredzic, Union Secretary of Civilian Victims of War - Sarajevo Canton Citizens Association.
It sums up in a few words the importance of the work carried out by the Healing Hands Network.

Imagine you're at home in the kitchen preparing the evening meal. Suddenly your neighbour bursts in and points a Kalashnikov rifle at your head. "Get out!" he yells, "I'm taking this house." He lets you take a coat and your car - nothing else. You don't know what has happened to your husband or children. You don't even know if they are still alive.

This isn't happening in some far-flung corner of the world. It's not a story from a history book. It's happening today, in Europe, to people like us, living in towns and villages just like ours.

They had homes, families, jobs and a future. Now they have nothing.
When disaster strikes, after war or natural catastrophe, governments and charities all over the world raise funds to help the injured and their relatives in the immediate aftermath.
Hard work and generous donations help provide food, shelter and medical supplies.

Lasting damage takes time to heal. The neglected victims of the hidden horrors of disaster - the young, the old and infirm who have no-one to help them - need help long after the front line aid workers have left.

Massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, acupuncture and reiki

Healing Hands Network was set up to send volunteer care professionals to work with people suffering from the trauma and terrible consequences of war and disaster. we have been sending two therapists a week from April to October since 1997, and have now treated over 12,000 people.
Therapies include massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, acupuncture and reiki.

Professionally qualified and experienced therapists work to produce positive and encouraging results, enabling people to rebuild their lives. The work is exacting, exhausting and exhilarating.

The stories are haunting and heart-breaking - and encouraging. People respond to our work in a very special way.

Hands-on therapies work to heal, restore and regenerate the spirit as well as the body.

Therapists in Kenya

In November 2006 we sent four therapists to Kenya to establish a new project treating the victims of gender violence. This project is now continuing with local therapists working with doctors and counsellors in the Nairobi Women's Hospital.