Stranded Bosnian finds new family to help her survive

If all had gone according to her plan, Saldjana would be doing her internship this year somewhere in this country. Instead, the 23-year-old Bosnian has found her plans -- and her family -- torn apart by a war that is difficult to understand.

For the past two years, she has been living in Niskayuna with the Brennan family of St. Helen's parish, going to a community college, and taking life one day at a time.

Surviving

"It has been a struggle for my family to survive the past four years," she told The Evangelist. "First, we're all split up. My mother hasn't seen my sister in four years and me in two years. Then there's the economy. At one point, my mother's monthly salary was the equivalent of a dozen eggs.

"It's amazing," she said. "My life is completely switched around. Maybe someday I'll be able to do my internship at home."

When the war started, Saldjana went to Denmark where she worked as an au pair for two years. Throughout that time, she was in touch with Denis and Margaret Brennan, who had been her host family when she spent her senior year attending Niskayuna High School.

One day, the Brennans called to say that they had made arrangements for her to attend Hudson Valley Community College in North Greenbush and were in the process of raising money for her tuition. This spring, she completed her studies there with a 4.0 grade point average her last semester. The plan is for her to attend the University at Albany in the fall to study art history and child psychology.

Tuition needed

The Brennan family has begun fund-raising efforts in order to get the tuition necessary for her to stay in America.

"We needed $10,000 for the U.S. government to let her in two years ago," Mrs. Brennan said. That money paid for her two years at HVCC. Now the family must raise the $10,000 tuition per year that foreign students pay at the university. They have raised $4,000 so far.

"I would go to Mass during Lent and people would slip money into my pockets," Mrs. Brennan said. "One lady sent a substantial contribution because she said she had been helped by so many people that she wanted to be able to help someone in return."

Catholic touch

"It is amazing that they would do this for me," Saldjana said of the Brennans. "They are great people, good Catholics."

The Brennans were her first experience with a Catholic family. Raised in what is now the northwest part of Bosnia during the communist era, she had little exposure to any religion. Because most of her generation was raised as agnostics, she has a hard time believing that this war has much to do with religion.

"Religion didn't start the war," she said. "There were other motives. Now it's about nationalities and religions. I can't follow it."

Besides splitting her family up, the fighting has come within 20 miles of her mother's home. Phone lines were out of service, so she couldn't communicate with her family. Now she is able to talk to her family approximately once a month.

"I miss my family and my old life. I think I miss it even more because it will never be the same. I miss the way it used to be," she said.

Faith as guide

The Brennans, who are parents of four young adults, were guided by their faith in bringing Saldjana to their home.

"It was meant to happen for a reason," Mrs. Brennan said. "It's our Christian duty to help. It would make no sense for a talented person like Saldjana to be in a refugee camp.

"We pray a lot," she continued, referring to their efforts to raise the money for Saldjana to finish her education in the United States. Two of the Brennan children are also in college, and Dennis recently lost his job as an office manager. Despite those financial struggles, the Brennans are adamant that this is the place for Saldjana right now. "We'll borrow the money if we have to," said Mrs. Brennan.

Friends and faith

For now, the Brennans are getting by with help from their friends. Denis and Margaret are part of a prayer group the grew out of the Renew movement years ago.

"Our faith and support from friends are getting us through," Mrs. Brennan said. "Our prayer group gives us hope and really cares."

The summer has been somewhat difficult for Saldjana. Her working papers expired, so she is unable to work. "The summer has been slow torture," she said. "I have read all of the books I set out to read. I would like to work."

A talented artist and photographer, she would like to be able to show her work to help raise money for her education. However, because she is not able to work, she cannot afford the supplies she needs. However, she doesn't complain.

"She has a real appreciation for what's she's done and what people have done for her," Mrs. Brennan said. "Kids here don't have that kind of maturity."

Hopes for future

While she is anxious to one day go back to her country, Saldjana knows that it will be a while. The employment rate is at five percent in Bosnia, so chances are great she wouldn't be able to work. Also, she knows life will be different when she returns.

"I'm sure my family will never be able to be together all in one place again because my family has different ethnic groups," she said. "I feel like I found the right spot for now. I feel like a member of the family. If there is anyone I call a family, it is the Brennans, next to my biological family."

(Editor's note: Anyone interested in helping Saldjana Bijelic stay in the U.S. can send contributions to the Trust Account for Saldjana Bijelic, in care of Cathy Currin, First National Bank of Scotia, Balltown Road, Niskayuna 12309.)