The lullaby of poverty
Donika, 9, and Mario, 8, are nearly inseparable. They walk to and from school down the same muddy road together. They are both quiet and thoughtful.
As they climb the road to reach their home, where their mother, Lude, 40, is waiting for them with bad news. Although she would like to cook a delicious and nutritious meal for her children, their refrigerator is as empty as their stomachs. Lude tries to hide the truth with a smile, but they are smart and they understand.
Winter is harsh in Kosovo; temperatures often drop to minus 14 degrees Celsius. Donika and Mario go hungry much of the time. Fortunately their neighbors and relatives have donated warm cloths to keep their small bodies warm.
[Poverty has locked children behind the bars. Photo by Klevisa Breshani/World Vision]
Although she never complains, Donika has health problem. Her chest hurts sometimes. She has been struggling with the same problem for three years now. Lude says that she doesn’t know what is ailing her, but she is afraid it may be a disease that would cost a lot of money, which they do not have, to cure.
Hopelessness and anxiety are constant companions in this house. At times, poverty seperates Lude from her children. During other times, she sits and caresses her children’s heads with love. Love is the only thing she has to give them.
As the eldest child of the house, Donika sees and understands almost all things. She understands that her health as well as the health of her mother are compromised by their poverty. Still, she tries to escape through song. Singing is the medicine of her soul; it’s theonly free medicine she can use as she needs no money to buy the songs she sings.
Mrs. Shkendie, Donika’s teacher at school says the girl is very good at music. And, although Donika tries very hard to do well at school, remembering the lectures is not easy for her. However, in her innocent spirit Donika dreams of being a teacher one day and teaching music to other children.
There are six members in the Gashi family; father, Seba,43;mother,Lude, and four children including: Donika and Mario as well as younger siblings: Marigona,2, and Manuela,4. Lude and Saba were married 10 years ago and have been living since then in Lude’s uncle’s home, which he offered to them when he left the country. They are grateful to have a roof, but lack of money and an abundance of health problems and difficulties finding a job keep them in poverty.
[Povery cannot vanishes the love we have for each-other ( In the photo Lude and her two daugheters, Manuela (on the front) and Marigona). Photo by Klevisa Breshani/World Vision]
Janieve, is an area with about 2,500 residents, locateda 40-minute drive from Prishtina, Kosovo’s capital city. Janieve used to be one of the richest villages in Kosovo, before 1992. Since then, things have been different. The chances of finding jobs have shrunk, while both the needs and number of people has increased. This vicious combination is typical of the psychosocial trauma left in the aftermath of war and social upheaval. Inter-ethnic tensions, and bleak economic opportunities continue to create a situation that leaves many children in Kosovo highly vulnerable.
Saba struggles every day to find any kind of work in the village to bring home any money for his family. Lude has been suffering from what she thinks is a heart disease for more than ayear now. She doesn’t know the real diagnose is however, because it is expensive to go at the hospital to find out. Her heart pain causes her to often lie in the bed for many days in a row, completely powerless and unable to take care of her children.
Lude feels discouraged and forgotten. All this family receives is a little social assistance of $100 (USD) per month. They have no land or other income. “If you have children under 5, you can receive this amount,” explains Lude. “[When] they reach 6 there will be no money for us,” she adds.
Lude says that many times they buy food on credit. “This is embarrassing for us,” she says. “The storekeepers cannot expect us to pay them back,” she says desperately. Lude’s dream is simple, “I don’t wish for much except a job,” she says. All she wants is a way to make money to be able to provide for her children’s most basic needs.
Donika and Mario understand their family’s economic situation, the younger children do not. Despite the cold temperatures and the harsh realities, the children still see blue sky and believe that things will change. “I would like to be a car driver’ says Mario. “I hope I will earn enough and buy the things I need,” he says.
Donika, on the other hand, innocently believes her music will be the cure; that the melodies she sings will pacify the waves of anxiety that are ripping through her family. “When I sing, I feel happy and thrilled,” she concludes with a tight smile.
This family’s situation was brought to World Vision’s attention. “[We], the Kids for Peace team in Kosovo followed up the problems of the family,” said Persiana Kamberai, World Vision Kosovo’s team leader. Once World Vision’s staff had a clear understanding of the family’s situation, they organized a meeting with the director of social services to formally report the case and ensure that they are receiving what corresponds to them under the support scheme. They also made sure that the family was receiving health benefits and followed up with a heath entre in the commune to make sure Donika will be able to see a specialist soon.
In Kosovo, World Vision works to promote peace and harmony among children of different ethnicities of Kosovo. Along with peace, education and respect for diversity, members of the Kids for Peace clubs also promote responsible living through, games and other activities. Donika will soon be part of the Kids of Peace club in her community.
The project operates in five Kosovo municipalities through15 Kids for Peace and five Youth for Peace clubs. All together, 300 children and 150 youth participate in regular activities where they can socialize and try to build a better peaceful future together.
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