Friendship and Values in Albanian Society
Summer Camps for Kosovar Children

 

	The relationship between Albanian youth and the children from Kosovo continues a unique tradition which has been built through cultural and educational activities. This is the sixth year that a group of Albanian Orthodox volunteers planted and cultivated the basic societal values in the children of the Malisheva commune.
The volunteers organized four summer camps, which were identified by virtues: Generosity (in Carallukë), Hope (Malisheva), Joy (Banja), and Benevolence (Begaj). More than 1,500 children took part in the activities.
	The Albanian volunteers focused on educational programs, through which they conveyed knowledge and creativity to the children, effectively transforming the camps into summer schools.
The camps were conducted by the Children’s Office and its leader, American missionary Nathan Hoppe, who was supported by a staff of twenty-five. The staff consisted of seminary students from the Resurrection of Christ Theological Academy (Shen Vlash, Durrës) and Orthodox youth center volunteers from other Albanian cities. (Since 2001, around 100 Orthodox volunteers have participated in these activities.)
	The camp program consisted of socio-cultural teaching, small and large group games, songs, plays, “Olympic” games, crafts and snacks. The camp ended with a festival presented by the Kosovar children themselves; the children’s teachers and parents were the audience. Also, at the end of each camp, a festive evening was organized for the teachers of the schools.
“Our goal is to build and strengthen the friendship between us and the children,” said camp staff leader, Mr. Nathan Hoppe. Ms. Gabriela Bezhani, the coordinator of the youth staff volunteers, stated that the aims of the activities were to entertain children who had suffered from the Kosovo war, and to build bridges of friendship between ethnic Albanians on both sides of the border.
	“Today, I can state that I am satisfied with the work we have done. The virtues with which our camps are labeled represent special values and in this direction, we think that we have given some contribution for the society of Kosovo,” she explains.
The organization of the camps is made possible through cooperation with the deans of the attending schools and the permission of the Communal Head Office of Education (the campers are elementary school students). Over the years, there have been several requests from many schools for these camps. This year, Idriz Hoti, dean of the Imer Krasniqi school, asked the representatives of the Albanian Orthodox Autocepholous Church to organize a summer camp for his students.
	“There are many children who are still traumatized by the war, and hard social conditions do not give them the chance to enjoy such good and useful activities as the Albanian Orthodox Church provides.” The Head of Education, Ms. Sanije Kelmendi claimed that, the previous year, she did not believe that these camps were a good idea or that the children enjoyed them. But now, she seems to have changed her mind: “I hope that these camps continue in the coming years.”
The local people have expressed their profound appreciation for these activities. “Our children have always taken part in these camps organized by the Orthodox Church and look forward to them,” said Ms. Emine Krasniqi, of Caralluka. Mr. Milaim Kastrati, of Malisheva, speaks positively about the work done by the Church volunteers at the camp in which his daughter, Mirenxa, had taken part:
	“My daughter is very pleased. In the camp, there were games and teaching. I am very satisfied with the work which has been done and is so well reflected in my daughter.”
Two computers and a printer were given to the Hilmi Hoti school; the dean and the faculty were very grateful for this needed present. The Kosovar media, in general, and the newspapers The Daily Time and The Voice, in particular, showed great interest in the camps.
	As Mr. Idriz Hoti, dean of the Imer Krasniqi school, requested a summer camp for his school, there will be, at the end of August, a camp at this school called “Friendship”.

By Isidor Koti & Gabriela Bezhani

Translated by Juliana Pici

Edited by Constance Luisi