Kosovo Funny clowns in summer camps

19 Aug 2010 | child rights summer camp

Prishtine, Kosovo: “I always wanted to see clowns and circus but I never had a chance before, today I had a great time and I’m very happy because my wish is accomplished” said Shpetim, 8 years old boy with enthusiasm. The ranges of one week of psychosocial activities organized by Tdh and its partners were concluded with a great clowns’ show. Children were surprised and fascinated because for most of them it was the first time to see a show performed by clowns.

1143 children of the age 3-18 years old, benefited from 4 summer camps in 4 main cities of Kosovo such as: Prishtine, Peja, Gjakova and Ferizaj. The majority of children beneficiaries were from Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, as well as cases of children managed by Task Forces such as children being neglected, abused, at risk of trafficking/exploitation, at risk of delinquency and in conflict with the law. 25 cases of children were detected as new cases at risk of exploitation and at risk of delinquency. These cases will be referred to be managed by the relevant Task Forces.

The goals of the summer camps were: allow children to learn and apply their rights by involving also RAE community representatives in the implementation of activities with children, raising awareness of the RAE communities and local authorities to protect children, prevent children in street situation from begging by engaging them in the summer camps, and identification of new cases of children at risk or victims of neglect, abuse, exploitation, trafficking, delinquency, including also school drop out.

In Kosovo, during summer times, children do not have a lot of opportunities to be engaged in free activities having in mind also that schools are closed from mid of June till September. Taking into consideration the lack of activities for children, Terre des hommes, Delegation in Kosovo every year organizes summer camps to make possible for children at least for one week to have good times and entertainment through psychosocial and recreational activities.

Once more, Terre des hommes, with its activities managed to bring together the children from all the communities in Kosovo, without discrimination. During these four weeks children who usually beg, instead of staying in the streets, they all participated in summer camps. [DK]

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