People: Music graduate gives up three years to provide help in Kosovo

Naomi plays role in helping war refugees

By ANNE FORBES

Young Norwich music graduate Naomi Lawrence has given up most of the past three years of her life to help youngsters in parts of Bosnia devastated by civil war.
A former pupil at the Hewett School and a member of Sprowston Methodist Church, Naomi was deeply moved by the devastating situation created by the Bosnian war.
“God first gave me a compassion for Bosnian refugees in 1996,” said Naomi. “I prayed and asked him how I could help them. Within a short period of time I heard about Novi Most and wanted to get involved.”
In 1997, she began work with Novi Most (meaning New Bridge), a Christian charity set up in the early days of the war to be an instrument of reconciliation in a land torn apart by terror. It provides help to people in need, irrespective of their ethnic or religious status, a stance which has won respect from Muslims, Croats and Serbs.
Naomi, aged 26, joined a small team working in the Serb Republic of Bosnia, until the fighting in Kosovo forced her to join other Novi Most workers in Mostar. She has worked with Kosovar refugees in a place known as the “Container Village” because it is made out of a number of containers from trucks, laid out on waste land to form a village for refugees, who are mainly of gypsy origin.
Much of the work is humanitarian aid but Naomi has had a special responsibility for vulnerable young people and children: “Towards the end of 1999 I started a group called Jesus’ Angels for a number of children aged 8-13, mainly from refugee families,” she explained.

Naomi Lawrence with Isnija, a
young refugee from Kosovo.

“They have no access to education and speak little Bosnian but language is always fun for us. In our twice-weekly meetings as a group, we take time to study about Jesus using basic schooling skills of reading and writing. I also give them individual or small group music lessons where, as well as making up raps and learning dances and dramas, they pray for their families.”
She has also made progress with another group of youngsters: “Some of them have really matured. Some have given up smoking, some have initiated giving a small amount of money to those in need even when they have so little themselves. Others are helping with wood chopping for those unable to do their own.”
Recently she has been given an exciting new challenge. Novi Most International has asked her to head up a project to start a drop-in centre for the young people of Mostar.

“I am to work with a mixed team of locals and internationals, to provide a place where young people can come to look for answers to their questions and help with problems, ranging from family and career to loneliness and hunger,” she said. Already she is developing the local team and has taken an intensive language course to improve her level of communication.
Many thought the end of the war in Kosovo would mean the refugees returning at once and an end to many of the problems of the area. In reality the need is a continuing one. Through her Christian love and commitment, one young Norwich woman is making a difference.

* If you would like to support or find out more of Naomi’s work then contact BR Lawrence, Crossways, Court Hill, Frettenham, Norwich NR12 7NL, tel: 01603 898289.

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