Adelaida Stambol

I came to Roanoke 13 years ago with my husband and two children. We are from Sarajevo, from Bosnia and Herzegovina. I never thought that I would move away from my hometown. I loved everything there. I spent my childhood and early adulthood in Sarajevo – a happy time and place. My heart was full of love and my life felt like a poem put to motion. Everything was beautiful and peaceful. People were smiling. Children were playing. Birds were singing all-around. Flowers were blooming everywhere.

Yet Sarajevo, Olympic City suddenly changed. This warm, beautiful, bright city became a dark, scary place. People changed. Neighbors became enemies. They started to hate each other. Bombs, shells, blood littered the landscape. No food, electricity, water. This went on for three years. Hope sustained us in our struggle and fight for life.

Than one day, I woke up in a city named Roanoke. It was July 8, 1995 a warm and sunny day. Our little family living in this little city. What are we doing here? Starting our life from the beginning. We were fortunate to have a chance! After days, months and years of hard work as a refugee, we all became citizens of our new Country.

One day I heard somebody say, “Your heart is where your home is”. My home is here as is my heart. This is a place where I met my friends and started my new life. Roanoke is my new hometown. Now I am very rich. I have two hometowns, two countries. I love both of them, but Roanoke is the place where my husband and I are enjoying life. We will be forever grateful for the wonderful hospitality we have found here.

• Adelaida’s Career: Department Secretary, Jefferson College of Health Sciences
• Adelaida’s Hometown: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina