Fatima Cengic tells story of heroism
The Interior News, July 28, 2004.
Fatima Cengic survived the siege of Tesanj, in Bosnia, and proceeded to build a life for herself in Canada – all thanks to a Christmas shoebox that arrived from Whitehorse and a great deal of determination. This was published in the Interior News on July 28, 2004. This story also never made it online, so here is a full transcript:
WHEN Fatima Cengic was 13 years old, she was living in Tesanj, a Bosnian city under siege by Serbian militants. She was unable to enjoy even the simplest of pleasures of life, such as a carefree stroll down the road.
Because of the threat of gunfire and bombs, she lived with her family in the basement of their home for six months.
But after six months, Cengic got fed up and decided enough was enough.
“My room was upstairs, everything was upstairs,” she says.
“I just hated the basement.”
To the chagrin of her parents, Cengic defied what they thought was safe, and began sleeping upstairs.