Youth in Kosovo celebrate 5 years of leading the way to Peace
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Some
350 children from all of World Vision Kosovo's Kids for Peace clubs, welcomed parents, school staff, and UN representatives to their 5th anniversary celebration in Brezovica, 60 kilometers south west
of Pristina, the capital of the province on Sunday.
'We are the world, we are children, We are the one's who make a brighter day, so lets start giving' sang the Serb, Albanian, Bosniak, Roma and Croat children aged between 10-16 years old who had traveled from throughout Kosovo for the event.
'If you understand the context of Kosovo, you realize ethnic and religious communities don't mix until you bring them together. Here, the children have one identity as Kids for Peace, they see each other as the same', said Rick Spruyt, Civil Society Programme Manager for World Vision Kosovo.
'In a safe environment they can interact freely, have fun and show all the adults present what they have achieved in their peace clubs throughout the year which gives the kids themselves a real sense of accomplishment,' he continued.
'Peace Club members helped us to get out of the cage we found ourselves trapped in', explained 16-year-old Bojana Stanojvic, a Serb from Staro Gracko peace club. 'Being part of this project makes us shine. It makes our eyes sparkle again, and gives us warmth in our hearts'.
Representatives from each club presented short sketches, dazzling dance performances to the latest pop records, poetry and songs as part of their celebration activities.
'My favourite show from today was when my friend shared his poetry', said Muhamed Duila, a young Albanian boy. It was called 'I wish', he spoke about how every child should have peace and harmony in his and her life' he shared with a big smile.
'When I see these kids all together, then I see my dream is realized', said a proud Rita Llulla, the Kids For Peace Project Co-ordinator. 'That was my goal in 2002, to see children, whether Serb, Bosniak, Croat, Roma, or Albanian, all acting as one".
'We are the world, we are children, We are the one's who make a brighter day, so lets start giving' sang the Serb, Albanian, Bosniak, Roma and Croat children aged between 10-16 years old who had traveled from throughout Kosovo for the event.
'If you understand the context of Kosovo, you realize ethnic and religious communities don't mix until you bring them together. Here, the children have one identity as Kids for Peace, they see each other as the same', said Rick Spruyt, Civil Society Programme Manager for World Vision Kosovo.
'In a safe environment they can interact freely, have fun and show all the adults present what they have achieved in their peace clubs throughout the year which gives the kids themselves a real sense of accomplishment,' he continued.
'Peace Club members helped us to get out of the cage we found ourselves trapped in', explained 16-year-old Bojana Stanojvic, a Serb from Staro Gracko peace club. 'Being part of this project makes us shine. It makes our eyes sparkle again, and gives us warmth in our hearts'.
Representatives from each club presented short sketches, dazzling dance performances to the latest pop records, poetry and songs as part of their celebration activities.
'My favourite show from today was when my friend shared his poetry', said Muhamed Duila, a young Albanian boy. It was called 'I wish', he spoke about how every child should have peace and harmony in his and her life' he shared with a big smile.
'When I see these kids all together, then I see my dream is realized', said a proud Rita Llulla, the Kids For Peace Project Co-ordinator. 'That was my goal in 2002, to see children, whether Serb, Bosniak, Croat, Roma, or Albanian, all acting as one".
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
