28. May. 2010
Restoration Camp in Dujaka/Gjakova
“I need a place where I can spend the day, meet friends, read books and use internet. Perhaps it may be impossible, but it is the only wish I have”, I’m starting this text with Adi’s desire
Adi, initiator of the project
Maybe for many of his peers, Adi’s desire does not belong to their list of desires.
Adi is 17 years old. Along with his family he lives in Dujaka of Gjakova/Djakovica. He finished elementary school but did not attend high school. The reason, he says, is the difficult economic situation of the family.
Adi belongs to category of people with special needs. To attend school, he needs adequate transportation and daily care. His family is poor and they can not fulfill these needs.
Adi says it has good family. They love and support him with all they have. His eight-member family has 180 Euro per month income. Three other family children are in school.
Uncle Rexha, the man who gave us the kulla.
He is Adi’s grandfather, Uncle Rexha, 92 years old. His leg is nearly paralyzed but hi still doesn’t give up, he works every day in the yard. Uncle Rexha is lucky.He has inherited a two-story kulla. Kulla almost is collapsing but he says that he will keep it because inside of it he keeps his memories. He wants to leave the kulla to his grandchildren.
Uncle Rexha’s kulla
Together with Adi, we did a small project, to convert kulla into a center for Adi and his friends. A center that will match what Adi has dreamed. Uncle Rexha gave consent to give us the kulla.
Planned, first to be completely cleaned, and then roof to be replaced because it is damaged so then we can order spaces to be adapted to Adi and other children of the community.
It took us a year and a halt for the project to start taking life. Now, we have already begun to implement the first phase (cleaning) and second phase (roof replacement).
This is first Restoration Camp, which began on 22 May and is expected to continue until 4 June.
It is the village community who is helping us in this work. Lili, Mondi, Joni, Argjendi, Lami, Lani, Gëzimi, Gjini and Nisi are those who are doing most of the job.
Team camp
Swedish organization CHwB bought some lime and some chestnut beams that have to be changed. All these materials do not exceed the amount of 2000 Euro. CHwB also sent three professional masters. Lani and Muhameti will change the wood structure. Master Ali will restore the thick stone walls.
Master Ali
For the third phase, Adi and I would expect some time, but not too much. We understand that when you have will everything will be achieved. We know it won’t be too far the day when Adi and his friends will have a center where they will spend the day together. A center where Adi and his friends feel comfortable and respected.
Gjini
Cleaning
