Education & children’s rights restore hope post flooding

It also included various games, dances and poems that importantly made children smile after enduring the stress of displacement and upheaval following the floods.

“The activity is important because it helps the children cope with the stress of the post-flooding situation,” said Endri, aged 13, Peer Educator and volunteer at the event.

The activity is important because it helps the children cope with the stress of the post-flooding situation

During the flood children were prevented from going to school and many of them missed their ‘normal’ life and their schoolmates. Although the children returned to school some weeks ago, this activity reignited in them the desire to continue education, become aware of their own rights and enjoy a joyful time together.

“We as children have the right to be educated. To have an education is important because it means to become someone in life,” said Ela, aged 12.

“With this activity we want to give the message that even though these children have experienced the hardships of the flooding, education is important to them. We want to raise awareness in the community about its value because it is primary for the children,” said Valmira Cook, World Vision’s Shkodra Area Development Coordinator.

Games that explored children’s rights were a highlight of the event and the children themselves articulated their own rights. Their lively voices rejoiced in harmony as they said: “I have the right to be educated, to play, to be free, to have food and clothes, to be protected.”

Although children want to be educated and know their own rights, often their voices go unheard because of so many economical and social struggles that their families have to endure. In Albania, many children drop out of school because of poverty. They contribute to the family’s income by working, some even working in the street. Other contributing factors l are poor school infrastructure especially for children in rural areas, limited resources and the harsh mentality of the community related to education of girls.

The view that girls should marry young and don’t need an education is very prevalent in rural areas of Albania and among the Roma and Egyptian communities. Although girls have equal rights and dreams for their future, they have to sacrifice these dreams because of family pressure and the community they live in.

In her speech to the children, Mrs. Ermelinda Kamberi, representative from the Education Directorate, above all pointed out: “We encourage parents and the community that the children continue their education even though they have a lot of struggles and they are under the economical hardships because of the consequences of the flooding. We hope that things will soon return to normality for the children and families of Shkodra.”

I have been very sad during the flooding and after it because many of my things were lost in the flood. This activity is giving me joy and hope that life goes on

“I had a lot of fun at this activity,” said 11-year-old Dashmira. “It meant a lot to express my rights and to have such a good time.”

At the end of the activity, the children received educational kits that included books, notebooks, children’s magazines and other educational materials.

“I can use these materials for school. They are very helpful for me,” said 12-year-old Xhesika.
The children rejoiced in the fun event and enjoyed their time together away from the daily routine and the continuous stress of the aftermath of the flooding.

“With the activity we also want to mark a way of helping the children to come back to their normal life and continue it by going to school and enjoying their childhood,” Mrs. Cook concluded.

“I have been very sad during the flooding and after it because many of my things were lost in the flood. This activity is giving me joy and hope that life goes on,” said Esmeralda, aged 11.

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