(Hysni
Recica)
The focus has been so long and
consistently on political and economical issues that some problems and certain
categories of people tend to get marginalized.
Blind people for example, or those with other kinds of handicaps.
Members of the ‘Blind, deaf and mute association” from northern Mitrovica will
tell you that until a few days back, they did not even have white sticks let
alone other necessities. The difference is that this time when they voiced
their concerns they were heard. By volunteers, international for the most part,
but the point is, something concrete has finally happened.
A gray minivan was the outcome and
the handover ceremony took place last week in Mitrovica north.
The Association for the Blind in
Mitrovica, is a registered NGO now working closely with the Deaf and Mute
Association – their approximate membership - 500. Radovan Jakoljevic, from the
association says they receive no funding at all and hence the donation is more
than welcome.
Radovan Jakoljevic: This is a
very big gift for us, and it cannot be compared to a wagon full of money. It is
very important to facilitate the life of the handicapped, to bring medicines
and humanitarian help. They will no longer need to come to the association to
pick it up and the money will help us take part in meetings, seminars, in chess
competitions there will be no need for public transport, we will comfortably
sit in this van and reach our destination.
Sonia Blaha: The plight
of the Association of the Blind and the Deaf and the Mute came to my attention
as soon as I arrived. They are really destitute people, they have been
forgotten, and since then I’ve tried to get donors and get them whatever they
need like white sticks. They are avid chess players so we brought them chess
sets. Today it is a big day. They got a minivan they can move around, travel to
their contests.
Of course the situation would have
been different had there not been people ready to stretch out a hand to those
in need, like John Foreman, the owner of Prishtina’s famous Kukri Bar. Running
a successful business is not his only aim in Kosovo, he says.
John Foreman: To come
back to my time in Bosnia, I was always working with the handicapped people
amongst Muslim, Croats, Serbs. I always felt a need to help these people,
because people have basically forgotten about them. Now people get involved in
other things, and the handicapped tend to be pushed aside. Once you give
these people anything, they are very appreciative.
The good will was there - all they
needed was to find a way to collect money.
John’s idea was to organize a weekly quiz in his bar and it worked.
Customers, mainly international, gather in the Kukri, have fun AND donate money
– over the last 3 years they have raised 245.000 Euros.
Quizmaster
Alan Bar, British police officer and Chief of the regional support unit in
Pristina.
Alan Bar: We
decided to start raising money for charities, the money we raise is divided
between both Albanian charities and Serb charities; we have got no allegiances
to anybody, just to help everybody. Tr. 71 When you handover a minibus like
this, you see the smiles on peoples’ faces….it is very heartwarming. We are
here not only to serve but also to help.
According to UNMIK’s Municipal
Administrator in Mitrovica north, Mina Jervenpaa, people in the northern part
of the town are finally beginning to realize that UNMIK is here for their
benefit.
Mina Jervenpaa: I think we
have a lot of trust already from the citizens in the north of Mitrovica. We
have had quite a lot of contacts with the Blind Association, we have already
given them donations for other things like, chess equipment, walking sticks.
And the one thing that they really felt they needed was a minibus to be able to
go and visit the people, the blind and the deaf around in the northern part of
Mitrovica and elsewhere.
And that comment from
Mina Jervenpaa brings us to the end of this edition of UNMIK ON AIR. Thanks for
listening.