Healing for 70 Trafficking & Abuse Victims, Kosovo

We are very grateful to all who supported the project as part of the “We Believe In Girls” matched funding opportunity in March 2016. Alice, who works with the project in Kosovo, asked us to pass on her personal thanks to you all.

"Thank you so much for donating to Operacioni i Mëkëmbjes through RED International. O.Mekembjes is dependent on your generosity and without it we are unable to continue in this work of transformation in the lives of Kosovo's most vulnerable. We are happy to have established this new partnership with RED International. They were was formed to take advantage of different funding opportunities on behalf of their implemeting partners, of which one is O.Mekembjes, raising funds very specifically for Relief, Education and Development Projects. If you know of anyone in your wider network who might be interested in the work of O.Mekembjes please feel free to refer them to the Global Giving page. With many thanks and best wishes", Alice.

Operacioni i Mëkëmbjes has seen some exciting changes in the last two months. The attic in their building was converted allowing space for a specialised schooling room and a psychotherapy room as well as an extra bedroom. This has allowed them to take more beneficiaries and a new family moved in in March. The first month or so of transition is normally a challenging time but they are adapting well and the children, especially, seem to be enjoying the programme of activities which include music, art and a group based on the boy scouts as well as schooling support.

The team were thrilled to see the opening of our first O.Mëkëmbjes sponsored business. This tailoring and dress hire shop was opened in Mid March by the first ever participant in the O.Mëkëmbjes programme. She has been with them for three years and this is a major step towards full independence for her and her children. The first customer came within an hour of opening and it is hoped that success will come fast!

The young people on the "Vocations for the Future" programme continue to attend classes in their chosen skill. Last week the team held the monthly discussion on the theme of violence. The goal was to try to challenge some of the widely established beliefs which support the use of violence in all contexts but especially against women. The discussions went well but it was clear that, sadly, these beliefs run very deep and it will be a long, hard road to change them. They also addressed the issue of sexting which is a tool often used to lure young girls into prostitution through the means of social media. It was evident that no one else is having these kind of discussions with these young people so the team were encouraged to persevere!