Letter to friends
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends.
The political situation/ the security system
When could I write “No news from Kosovo?” Here, especially in Mitrovica and in the municipalities of Zveçan, Leposaviç, and Zubin Potok, there have been conflicts and disputes between Belgrade and Pristina/ Serbs and Albanians for years. The Serbian minority in the north does not recognize the Kosovar government; they only accept directives coming from Belgrade through the Serbian President Vucic. In April 2023, there were once again local elections in the northern part of Kosovo. The elections became necessary because at the end of the previous year, Serbs in the aforementioned northern municipalities had resigned from all political positions, leading to a power vacuum. Voter turnout was at 3.5%. The elected mayors then entered the town halls with the help of the police, leading to severe clashes and over 30 KFOR soldiers being injured, some severely. Weapons and stun grenades were smuggled into Kosovo from Serbia. Europe and the USA, which had previously urged Kosovo to hold the elections, now criticized the implementation and appointment of Albanian mayors to their positions. The situation has somewhat calmed down by now. New elections involving Serbian participation are expected to take place in the fall. The EU is currently negotiating with the conflicting parties. The Kosovo Force (KFOR), consisting of soldiers from 27 countries, serves as the security guarantee here. We often have visitors from soldiers of various contingents. They are great and dedicated people. It’s still a long and arduous journey until the two states, Kosovo and Serbia, can peacefully coexist as EU member states. 2 Summe
Summertime/ “Schatzi”-time
On July 27th 2023, the second training period at DTC came to an end. During this period, we had 68 trainees. Additionally, we provided practical training in various fields such as electrical installation, heating construction, plumbing, and drywall to students from the technical school (municipal school) in Mitrovica. For students from municipal schools, we conducted a 5-day training program for 9 individuals (caretakers) in the areas of heating, plumbing, and electrical work. Bringing forth excellent news after a long wait, we have secured a new contract for the premises for the next 10 years. This provides us with legal certainty until 2033. Bread for the World (BfdW) has granted us funds for a new building, including classrooms for the kindergarten and training facilities. The building was planned over 2 years ago, and the costs have risen significantly. We will now engage a construction company through a bidding process to create the structural framework, and our specialized instructors and students will handle the interior construction. This approach is necessary to ensure the funds are sufficient. This is particularly beneficial for our students as they will learn and practice under realistic building conditions. A big thank you goes to BfdW for their patience and support. We also extend our gratitude to the city of Mitrovica and its mayor, Mr. Bedri Hamza, for providing the land use agreement for another 10 years. Construction is scheduled to commence on August 28th 2023.
The Diakonie Training Centre (DTC)
On July 27th 2023, the second training period at DTC came to an end. During this period, we had 68 trainees. Additionally, we provided practical training in various fields such as electrical installation, heating construction, plumbing, and drywall to students from the technical school (municipal school) in Mitrovica. For students from municipal schools, we conducted a 5-day training program for 9 individuals (caretakers) in the areas of heating, plumbing, and electrical work. Bringing forth excellent news after a long wait, we have secured a new contract for the premises for the next 10 years. This provides us with legal certainty until 2033. Bread for the World (BfdW) has granted us funds for a new building, including classrooms for the kindergarten and training facilities. The building was planned over 2 years ago, and the costs have risen significantly. We will now engage a construction company through a bidding process to create the structural framework, and our specialized instructors and students will handle the interior construction. This approach is necessary to ensure the funds are sufficient. This is particularly beneficial for our students as they will learn and practice under realistic building conditions. A big thank you goes to BfdW for their patience and support. We also extend our gratitude to the city of Mitrovica and its mayor, Mr. Bedri Hamza, for providing the land use agreement for another 10 years. Construction is scheduled to commence on August 28th 2023.
The farm/working place for people with disabilities and ‘Otto per Mille’
In Italy, there is a denominational tax. Everyone is required to pay 8% (otto per mille) of their income tax. They can choose whether they want to support a church, charitable organizations, humanitarian causes, or cultural activities. 3 The Waldensian Church in Italy utilizes the 8% tax to support diakonic and social projects worldwide. Since 2019, “Otto per Mille” has been supporting our farm. They have assisted us in expanding and developing the farm further. On June 13th 2023, three of us visited the headquarters of Otto per Mille in Rome. The journey by car through Albania, from Durres to Bari on the overnight ferry, and then onwards to Rome, was quite an adventure. In Rome, we were warmly welcomed by the Director of Donations, Giulia Abbati, and Mrs. Daniela Schiavao. We got to know “Otto per Mille” and the Waldensian Church better, presented our work, and discussed further collaboration. With the help of 8%, we were able to purchase an automatic milking system for the farm. We look forward to continued collaboration and extend our gratitude to the Waldensian Church for their fraternal assistance!
A voluntary social year and its effects
For years, we have been working closely and trustingly with the Protestant Volunteer Service (Evangelische Freiwilligendienste) in Hannover. Typically, we have around 3 volunteers who work at the farm, the kindergarten, and the youth center. In the kindergarten, during the past volunteer year (September 22 – August 23), there was a young German with Kosovar roots named Festina. She worked diligently at the kindergarten and was highly popular and valued. In the youth center, we have had a visitor for 10 years who came as a child (13 years old), developed into an outstanding dancer (Mr. Robot). The youth center became his home and family. From being a visitor, he became a volunteer worker. He attended the DJ course and the camera course. By now, he has become a skilled cameraman and a paid employee. That’s not all! Endrit and Festina met at the youth centre and Amor shot arrows. On 10.08.23 they got married. It was a beautiful wedding at the Aquapark in Mitrovica, with music, dancing and fine food!
Unfortunately, Endrit will be leaving us, probably next year, to live in Germany with his wife.
A young Ashkali woman has completed her training as a hairdresser with us. Impressed by her
professional and social skills, she became the assistant to our hairdressing instructor. Now, after 2
years, she got married. With one joyful and one crying eye, we have now said goodbye to her. She has
moved to Peja to be with her husband. We miss her!
Adoptions and other stories
In the German media landscape, the so-called “summer slump” is a well-known phenomenon. When there’s nothing important to report, all sorts of stories are placed. Here, it’s different. What’s being reported now actually happened and has somehow concerned all of us. The fact that we not only love and respect humans but also animals has spread throughout the animal kingdom. Constantly, dogs, cats, and other four-legged creatures of God come to visit. And when they are fed, they tend to stay around. Jacky, who came by as a puppy in November, is now a big, strong, and wonderful dog. She had a friend, a black cat named Blacky, who had three kittens. Suddenly, the mother disappeared, and only one kitten was left. Spontaneously, it sought the company of Jacky, and the good dog adopted the little cat. This way, she could survive, and she’s growing and thriving, bringing joy to all of us. When Jacky wags her tail, she wants to prey and catches the tail
In the meantime, a hedgehog comes by and eats dog food and so on.
We have many cats on the farm and one puppy always came to the cats looking for help. They then adopted him. That’s how patchwork families are formed here.
Carsten Berg has been working as a civilian employee in Filmcity in Prishtina for twenty years. He is helping us a lot. From his last trip to Austria he brought donations for the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian neighbourhood. We thank the donors in Austria and the noble “carrier”! .
Bavarian State Office for Asylum and Return
Since 2019, we work closely with the Bavarian State Office, and since 2021 in cooperation with the “Diakonisches Werk Trier”. We pick up the returnees at the airport in Prishtina and arrange a meeting at their home as soon as possible. There we have a discussion about the assistance plan and what the returnee needs for reintegration. We want to prevent illegal migration and revolving door effects!
We offer the following assistance:
- Renovation of the apartments/houses
- Starter kit with food and hygiene items
- Clothes (new or secondhand)
- Furniture, crockery
- Stove or oven
- Wood
- Education, training
- Medical examinations, support with medication
- Psychosocial counselling and trauma therapy
- Further help as needed
Nysret Krasniqi, the head of this field of work, has now 16 years of experience in this work which is not always so easy.
We are happy about the support and cooperation with the Bavarian State Office and Diakonie Trier.
Bavarian State Office for Asylum and Return
The head of the Center for Trauma Therapy, Albina Koliqi, gave birth to her third child. She then took 6
months of parental leave. Gresa Miftari, a psychologist and trauma therapist, successfully filled in for
her during that time. Now, Albina is back, and Gresa can fully focus on trauma therapy again.
During the summer, the team was able to work through the waiting list, resulting in many new clients. In
Fushë Kosova, we still haven’t received a positive response to our request for land to build a
community center, despite months passing. The two gender equality officers from the Austrian Army,
Dr. Adelheid Obwaller and Dr. Elisabeth Schleicher, learned about this issue during a visit. They
informed the COM KFOR, the highest-ranking KFOR general in Kosovo.
General Angelo Michele Ristuccia invited the Minister of Economy, Artanë Rizvanolli, whose
department manages the land we’ve been waiting for a response on since May. The designated land in
Fushë Kosova, in the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian neighborhoods, falls under their ministry’s
jurisdiction. Vera Baumann from the German Embassy was also present, speaking very positively
about Diakonie’s work and the plan to build a community center for minority members in the
aforementioned neighborhood.
Now, we are awaiting the ministry’s response and timeline. On September 7th, we will have another
meeting, this time at the Prime Minister’s residence, where the advisor for minority affairs is located.
COM KFOR has also emphasized the need for sustained support of this important work.
We especially thank the donors in Germany who gave us donations for the construction of the
community centre in advance.
As the construction and material costs are constantly rising, we are kindly asking for further donations.
As the construction and material costs are constantly rising, we are kindly asking for further donations.
Of course, I could report a lot more. However, we also need material for the next Letter to Friends.
We thank you for all your help and support. Only with your help we can help here.
Bernd Baumgarten, August 2023
