In my school library...

Almost 120 new books have been added to the library of the school SH.F.M.U "SKËNDERBEU" in the village of Kraishtë, Municipality of Lipjan, Kosovo.

While we are all going through a difficult period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and just left behind an unusual summer, 25 young people, part of the IMPACT group in Kraishtë of Lipjan, undertook an initiative to add new books to their school library.  

"During the pandemic, we stayed at home because we couldn’t go out a lot. Together with other members of the IMPACT group in Kraishtë we thought that books would be excellent friends for children and youth during this period. Thus, we would spend time reading and also enjoying imaginary journeys around the world where these books would take us,” - says Albin, 14 years old.

There were very few books in the library and the majority were either old or damaged. These were the main reasons, why the youth through the group voting process chose this initiative as a winning one among many other ideas which also aimed at improving the school environment or life in the communities where they live.

“I am very happy that now we have the opportunity to open the library doors and there are many more options for students to read... I believe that this initiative will also increase the interest of children in reading" - said Mr. Ismet Dedushi, the school director.

Textbooks, history books, novels - this is the large range of books that are now available to the 300 students and teachers of this school.

Upon returning to the school, the IMPACT group members will also organize literary classes with their peers and discuss various books. Soon after the library project was completed, the students of the school started to take books from the library and read them in their free time.

This is one initiative, among many others, undertaken by youth aged 12-18 years old and implemented with the financial support of World Vision Kosovo.

IMPACT clubs are groups of young people with about 20 members that organize joint meetings and discuss topics with different modules such as active citizenship, peace and many others. At the end of each module, youth organises community initiatives.

Upon finishing this community project, youth will continue discussing ideas and initiate new initiatives, while inviting other peers to engage in improving their neighbourhood or the community where they live, because they believe that together they can do great things.