Volunteers in Action

UNVs drive the Freedom of Movement Train in Kosovo
By Angela Griep

Kosovo Polje/ Fushe Kosova, May 2002 -- UNV Donald from Canada and his partner UNV Donald from Canada (no joke) drive the train from Kosovo Polje/Fushe Kosovo to Lesak/Leshak and back twice a day. The train ensures that Serbian minority groups can travel safely between their different villages to reach the hospital in North Mitrovica, to visit their family etc.

Donald loves his 76 km long office, especially talking to his passengers and kidding the Greek soldiers who guard the train.

He would like to change the pure transport to a real costumer service. Therefore he constantly tries to convince the two language assistants, who assist the Greeks on the train, not only to translate what people are saying, but to talk to them actively. “That could have a lasting impact in Kosovo for years, especially because they go along together very well despite the fact that one is Albanian and one is Serbian.”

Donald is not “only” a train driver. He wants his passengers to keep him in mind as someone who helped to improve their life a little bit for some moments. So maybe the two Roma boys will remember the Canadian train driver in ten years as someone who made their life after the war a little safer and light hearted.

His cultural background helps Donald to reach his personal aim. “I don’t care if people are Roma, Albanian or Serbs – when I smile at them they all smile back.”

For more information please contact:

Angela Griep, UNV Public Information Officer, UNMIK, Email griep@un.org, or
Chrsitine Botejue-Kyle, UNV Programme Manager, UNMIK, Email botejue-kyle@un.org