3 August 2025 | Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina [Luciano Caleb with tedNEWS]
From 28 July to 3 August 2025, Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, became the stage for a remarkable display of youth-led compassion. Thirty-five young volunteers from across Europe gathered for the 10th anniversary of Invazija Ljubavi (Invasion of Love), a regional outreach organised by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Bosnia and Herzegovina in partnership with the Youth and Children’s Departments.
The initiative unfolded across public parks, retirement homes, stairways, playgrounds, and busy city streets. Cleaning, helping, smiling, listening, painting, and playing were just some of the many activities carried out during the week. Through simple, intentional acts of kindness, volunteers brought joy, relief, and connection to hundreds, transforming ordinary spaces into places of hope, compassion, and community.
A Hands-On Programme
Each day featured a variety of hands-on activities, including cleaning and restoring parks, visiting a retirement home, and bringing joy to the streets with free hugs, face painting, music, and creative activities for children.
A special highlight was the Health Expo, organised by ADRA HUB. The Expo offered several free health checks, including blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring, as well as lifestyle and wellness advice from health professionals.
For many local residents, this was their first introduction to ADRA HUB, a newly established Centre of Influence that will continue serving the city year-round. From September 2025, it will offer a variety of services, including language courses, a Health Club, and community workshops. For the volunteers, the experience was a powerful reminder that health outreach can build bridges to stronger, more caring communities.
The Expo “brought strangers together, opened people to conversation, and presented the love of God not through preaching but through presence,” a volunteer commented. The community response was immediate: people stopped to ask questions, smiled as they passed, and often stayed to talk, laugh, or take part. “Whatever this is, it’s beautiful,” said one resident. “We need more of this.”
Kindness Without Borders
The Mayor of the Central District of Sarajevo, Srđan Mandić, personally welcomed the team, congratulating them on their efforts and promoting the initiative on both his official and personal social media accounts. “This kind of work builds bridges,” he said. “It reminds us that kindness has no borders.”
The project also caught the attention of local media. Božidar Mihajlović, ADRA Bosnia and Herzegovina Director and President of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (BHC), was invited to speak on local radio and was interviewed for local television. He explained that the project was not only a faith-based initiative but also a broader act of inclusion, dignity, and community care — a message that resonated strongly in Sarajevo’s multi-religious and socially diverse context.
Volunteers’ and Organisers’ Voices
Perhaps the most profound impact was felt by the volunteers themselves. “It was a tiring week, but I was joyful every day,” one said. “I’ve made a life commitment to serve and reflect God in simple acts like this with my church when I return home,” another reflected. “Helping with small things opened doors to conversations I never expected,” a third concluded.
The event organisers were also inspired. Jelena Dokmić, BHC Children and Youth Ministry Director, commented: “It took a lot of work and preparation, but seeing these young people step out of their comfort zones, connect with people, and give selflessly has been the greatest reward.”
“The Invasion of Love is more than an event; it is a growing movement showing how youth can be a transformative force for good,” shared another organiser.
As the 10th edition concluded, the 2026 destination was already set: Trebinje, the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As this initiative continues to prove that small acts of love can bring hope to the most unexpected places, organisers hope that in Trebinje “new hearts, new friendships, and new stories” will be written.
[Photos: Božidar Mihajlović/ Jellena Dokmić/ Ines Anjum/ Victoria Metodieva/ Caleb Quispe]
