Two Healthy Kidneys for Sale !

Yes you read it right. This is the headline of an advertisement which Rebuild for Bosnia, the Monasterevin based charity that has housed thousands of victims of

the Balkan war, discovered in a Sarajevo Newspaper last year.

On immediate investigation the charity discovered the source of the advertisement having recruited a local representative to responded to it.

“It transpired that the kidneys on sale belonged to two women who’s husbands were detained in the brutal prisoner of war camp Manjaca during the 1992-95 conflict in Central Bosnia” said Patricia Keane Chairperson of Rebuild for Bosnia. Patricia goes on to say that “The men were left with lifelong physical disabilities after torturous beatings and weeks of starvation. Despite their army service they have no income and have had to move thirteen times in six years from one shack to another. The women heard that internationals were paying good money for kidneys and they saw this

as their way of putting a roof over their heads, food on the table and purchase the necessary medication for their mentally traumatised husbands.”

The charity is constantly working with people like this, sad remnants of a war that

most of the world has forgotten. “It is horrendous that people are now resorting to selling their organs” said Patricia.

Tom Walsh from Athy and with responsibility for the fund raising and marketing for the charity explains that the charity has managed to convince the women to put a stay on their kidneys for sale. The women have withdrawn their advertisement on the basis that the charity will do absolutely everything in their power to raise €42,000.00 to build them a home.

For this purpose Rebuild for Bosnia has organised a very historic and memorable

walk which will take place along Tochar Phadraig in Co. Mayo, the 22 mile pilgrim path which thousands of early Irish Christians walked to be baptised by St. Patrick 1,568 years ago. The walk takes place on Saturday and Sunday, July 18^th and 19^th

with an over night stay in Westport. It is hoped that each walker will raise one thousand euro and Rebuild for Bosnia have come up with a novel way of helping

them raise the money in these stringent economic times. The walk includes accommodation, meals, packed lunches, transport and entertainment.

“Time is running out now and we urgently need to build a house for this poor unwanted family who have to resort to selling parts of their body to survive, we think it’s bad here in Ireland but remember it is horrendous still in Bosnia,” said Ms. Keane who believes that people will reach into their pockets to help such a worthy cause and have a memorable and rewarding weekend in the process and stop the Papic Kidney

for Sale Campaign.

If you would like to participate or donate to the event, please contact Patricia or Tom at 045 532410 or 087 9974120. Or write to: Rebuild for Bosnia, Beechfield Office, Athy Rd, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare.