Firefly International - combatting social division worldwide

Firefly works to build peace in divided communities around the world by supporting children and young people from different backgrounds to form friendships and mutual respect. It brings young people together in positive, fun and life-affirming activities ranging from music-making to theatre groups. These young people go on to become ambassadors for peace within their own families and communities both today and as adults. In this way Firefly is tackling conflict now as well as planting the seeds of peace for the future.

Children and young people play a vital role in preventing violent conflict and building peaceful societies. Where young people form friendships that cut across social, political or religious boundaries, they can and do help to avert conflict and assist societies to recover from war. Where young people from different backgrounds are supported to celebrate what they have in common this can and does break down tensions and distrust and help warring communities to reconcile and unite.

Without Firefly thousands more children would be growing up in conflict. Many communities would still be at war with each other. Lives would have been lost and futures condemned to poverty and lack of opportunity.

Here is a letter written by Bojana Lugonja, one of many young people who have been involved with Firefly in Bosnia;

For Ellie
The very first time I met Ellie I was just a kid in elementary school, so nervous because of the show we were planning to do. A little did I know! Ellie was one of the main reasons we were able to do that show in Brcko, and any show for that matter. She was one of the main reasons why I remember my early life with such joy and one of the main reasons why I have so many great friends from that period.

With her enthusiasm and strength she did wonders for many kids in Bosnia. As you all know, Bosnia wasn’t very friendly country to live or work in, after the war. The situation for us, for kids, wasn’t so bright. But she helped us. Because of her I was able to meet kids from other religion backgrounds and play with them like there was no war and no boundaries. Because of Ellie we (members of theatre project “Jupiter”) got our first chance to travel to Croatia, to go to camps, hang out, and create great performances.

It just makes me wondering if she had ever realized how many lives she had touched all around the world. That is the main reason why we should celebrate her life and hope that somewhere above she can see everything she has accomplished and anyone of us who think very highly of her and love her.
Thank you Ellie for helping us become the people we are today!

Bojana Lugonja with the rest of the theatre group “Jupiter”

Slavica Simic, Sanja Krajisnik, Vesna Ivanovic, Janka Kovacevic, Jovana Kojic, Zvjezdana Crnogorac, Sanjin, Biljana Ristic, Mihajla Pantelic, Boki, Ljubisa Lazarevic

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