Known as MCAB (Magdalen College Aid to the Balkans) until 2003, OXAB was founded in the early 1990s as a group providing aid to all parts of the former Yugoslavia in the aftermath of the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The original trips consisted largely of transporting aid to the region, and after the first couple of years came to focus entirely on Bosnia. Over the past decade, in response to the changing situation in Bosnia, our aims have shifted toward a specialism in helping disadvantaged children in the Balkans, especially those in institutions.

Since then:

2000 - the first moves are made toward expansion beyond the former Yugoslavia, into Bulgaria.

2005 - OXAB sends volunteers to Serbia as well as Bosnia and Bulgaria.

2008 (December) - OXAB begins exploring an expansion into Kosovo, ready for summer 2009.

OXAB is run by a committee of students, elected each year at our November AGM. Most of our work takes place in the Spring (Hilary) and Summer (Trinity) terms, organising volunteer trips to the Balkans to take place in the vacation periods, although an increasing amount of work on projects continues throughout the year.

Contact Details

If you’ve got any questions or would like further information about OXAB’s activities, you can email us at info@oxab.org.uk

For individual committee members, see the committee page.

Last updated: January 16th, 2009