In 1992, aside from running a small automotive business, Milos Supica began devoting his time and energy helping the children of Bosnia. Turbulent times called for medical attention and supply for the severely wounded. Early on Milos encountered a wall of bureaucratic red tape hindering his efforts to bring the injured children of Bosnia to America. A man on a mission, he sought out President Bill Clinton and pleaded with him to change federal policies blockading the ability for foreigners to travel here to receive medical treatment. Through his efforts, President Clinton changed a policy allowing for emergency visas to be issued expediting cases for the critically ill and injured to receive life-saving medical attention. Milos arranged for transportation and pro-bono treatment for over 132 severely injured children and adults (many of whom lived in his home for seven years) He skillfully crafted relationships with physicians and hospitals in the US to treat major internal and reconstructive surgeries as well as prosthetics. It is through these efforts that Save Serbian Children was born.
Over the last 16 years SSC has been able to provide millions of dollars in humanitarian aid, assistance and in-kind services not only to Bosnia, but also the Balkan countries of Serbia, including the provinces of Kosovo, Romania, and Montenegro. Milos has personally driven hundreds of miles to pick-up donated equipment and supplies and bringing them to his shop. There, he cleans refurbishes and tests them to make sure they are fully functional. He then inventories, packs, loads, and arranges shipping, sending nearly one-hundred 40 foot containers filled with unexpired medical and dental necessities including: heart monitors, x-ray machines, office supplies, ambulances. A beautiful 35' motor home he converted into a mobile Dental and Eye examination facility complete with x-ray equipment, frames, and lenses, was an especially exciting project.In addition, Milos carefully packed new clothing, toys, tons of food and seeds for growing crops. One man's passion to help has reaped much.
Because of his proven trustworthiness, many have offered contributions allowing supplies to be sent to The Republic of Georgia, Romania, Armenia, The Ukraine, Afghanistan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Mexico, Uganda, and Ethiopia. Domestically, SSC sent supplies to Hurricane Katrina victims, and donates to local charities and organizations in the Sacramento and Stockton, which is located in the heart of San Joaquin Valley.
Milos Supica has received respect, and name recognition from leaders in other parts of the world. After an individual who heads about his work and asked for help in building a $100 million dollar hospital in Ethiopia to treat cancer patients, he was installed as Vice President of Life's Second Chance, and met with President of Ethiopia and the countries top officials. He addressed the United Nations in Ethiopia where he spoke to representatives from one hundred-fifty nations. Milos’s unending passion to help where he can has now led him to design a cutting edge program that will help to relieve hunger and drought in Ethiopia and possibly other parts of Africa.
Save Serbian Children has grown to a new level of meeting needs. Because of his unique "Can do” approach in meeting challenges directly outside the walls of government, SSC is proud to announce the changing of its name to Direct Effect. The new name helps more adequately identify the scope of outreach throughout the world and its mission in helping people through programs of sustainable development, emergency assistance, and in personal and community empowerment.
