Century after Mother Teresa’s birth, World Vision recognised for contribution

World Vision in Kosovo was among 12 international organisations awarded by the Kosovo Government for its humanitarian and peacebuilding work in remembrance of Mother Teresa 100 years after her birth. These 12 NGOs were chosen among 5,000 organisations that have worked in Kosovo during the past two decades.Mother Teresa was Albanian by origin and for Kosovo and Albania, 2010 has been the "Year of Mother Theresa", as it marks the 100th anniversary of her birth. The anniversary is being remembered all over the world, but in Kosovo it was celebrated by recognising the humanitarian work of NGOs that have helped Kosova’s people from 1990 to 2010.

“We are recognising World Vision because it has made a great contribution to the communities throughout Kosovo, both in relief and in peace building initiatives,” said Megi Shala, representative of “The Bridge of Friendship”, which was part of the selection committee.

World Vision started its operations in Kosovo in 1998 by responding to the needs of Internally Displaced Persons in areas devastated by armed conflict, following the break up of Yugoslavia.

Several significant emergency interventions took place in the municipalities of Podujeve/Podujevo, Mitrovice/Mitrovica, Lipjan/Lipljan, Suhareke/SuvaReka etc. More than 1,700 families were assisted through the housing reconstruction programme. Interventions also involved construction, community development and revival of the agricultural sector. World Vision also rehabilitated and constructed new schools, hospitals, and homes for people with special needs.

World Vision founded the first multi-ethnic Community Council for Peace and Tolerance in the ethnically divided town of Mitrovica, as well as established the Kids for Peace clubs, both initiatives of which have been supporting the rapidly burgeoning children\'s peace movement.

As a peace initiative, founded in 2002, the Kids for Peace project has been involving youth from different ethnic groups that have been affected by conflict. The key focus of this project from the beginning was the facilitation of interaction among children from all ethnic groups, with specific emphasis on stimulating greater communication between Albanian and Serbian children.

For almost a decade, Kids for Peace has been teaching thousands of youth how to be peacebuilders in their families, community and across the whole nation of Kosovo, which has suffered extensive violence in the last 20 years among its many ethnic groups.

Kids for Peace has been teaching thousands of youth how to be peacebuilders in their families, community and across the whole nation of Kosovo

Even though the northern part of Kosovo continues to be a hot spot in the country, around 400 children from 16 Kids for Peace clubs join regular activities, promoting peace and living together. Their interaction reflects the touching words of Mother Teresa for all people “…I pray to God that His peace reaches our hearts, our families in all the world….”, which were also the opening words at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Mother Teresa.

“The example of Mother Teresa has taught all of us that there are no religious and cultural borders but peace and charity should triumph all around the world,” said Micheal Giffoni, the Italian Ambassador to Kosovo. “We should keep her words in our heart that we shouldn’t have hatred among us, but only faith and peace,” Mr. Giffoni continued in his speech remembering Mother Teresa and her work.

“Kids for Peace have been playing a very pro-active role in overcoming inter-ethnic barriers of communication between Albanians, Serbs and other ethnic groups in Kosovo,” said Driton Krasniqi, World Vision Kosovo Zonal Manager.

While in some cities of Kosovo, like Mitrovica and Rahovec, there continues to be a dividing wall between Serbians and Albanians, Kids for Peace clubs from both ethnic groups are a great example of unity and friendship. In these cities only children from these clubs can cross the divide between these neighbourhoods, by taking part in different activities and playing together with their peers from other ethnic groups.

Just as Mother Teresa is a symbol of peace for the whole world, “Kids for Peace” are a symbol of peace for all ethnic groups in Kosovo. While Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, “Kids for Peace” has been recognised by World Vision International for its peacebuilding work in Kosovo.

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Kristela Kajana has contributed to this story