Hello Friends!

Wow! When we started this almost 4 years ago, I never would've thought it would turn into such a success and a recurring annual thing. Thank you to all who have participated in this over the last three years and to those who join us for a fourth year.

My name is Irfan and I'm raising funds for New Year's presents for my elementary school in my hometown. My friend and I started this fundraiser three years ago and it was a huge success. We purchased New Year's presents for ~100 kids each of the last three years and the kids and their parents were so happy and thankful. We focused on school supplies, small toys, and some treats, and plan to do the same this year, with an even stronger emphasis on school supplies. Here's more about the story and why I'm doing this.

The small city of Gorazde, Bosnia, where I grew up continues to struggle with political instability and tough times economically. The children in my elementary school have had a tough time recently with the school not being able to provide basic school supplies. I am working with one of my classmates, Damir Celjo, whom I know to be an honest, reliable, and trustworthy source. Our goal is to raise these funds so that Damir can put together New Year presents for the kids that go to the same elementary school (Husein Efendija Đozo) that Damir and I attended in Bosnia. We're planning on buying some school supplies for the kids, but also some treats and toys to put a smile on their faces. Their parents don't have the money to buy New Year's presents for them (Christmas isn't celebrated in Bosnia, so New Year's Eve is when Santa Claus comes).

I will transfer any funds collected to Damir, and Damir will use the funds to buy presents for the ~100 kids, which is the entire first-grade class.

Please note that I have plenty of proof that I can share from last year showing that the funds went to the appropriate place (wire transfer screenshots, pictures of the shareout, videos of the school principal making a speech about it, etc.), for anyone who would like to have extra peace of mind before donating. Reach out to request any of this info.

Dragi prijatelji, tačno prije tri godine smo moj prijatelj Damir i ja pokrenuli akciju i uspjeli skupiti sredstva za novogodišnje paketiće i školski pribor za djecu iz jedne škole u mom rodnom mjestu, gradu Goraždu. Ovo mjesto je prošlo teške godine rata, ljudi su mnogo patili i svaka donacija je dobro došla. Među učenicima za koje želimo da obezbijedimo poklone ima dosta socijalnih slučajeva, djece koja teško žive sa minimalnim uslovima za život i sigurno da će im ova akcija bar na jedan dan izmamiti osmijeh. Prošle godine smo imali 94 djece, a druge i treće godine smo imali preko 100. Svi su bili presretni, a mi ponosni što smo zahvaljujući vama uspjeli da ih obradujemo. Imali ste priliku vidjeti fotografije sa podjele paketića i pribora, a sada želimo da nam akcija opet bude uspješna i da ovo bude jedan događaj koji ćemo ponavljati svake godine i učiniti dobro djelo i pomoći djeci koja pohađaju školu gdje sam i ja napisao prvo slovo prije nego što sam došao u SAD.