Back to School in Kosovo

 Every Fall, the traditional back-to-school "to-do" list helps to prepare us for the start of the coming school year. As Kosovo rises from the rubble, JDC the overseas arm of the American Jewish community is checking off its own back-to-school "to-do" list to help ensure the normalcy of formal schooling for thousands of children there.

 The JDC’s operations in Kosovo have included immediate response to the needs of the refugees, and helping to rebuild the fabric of society for a more inclusive and stable future.

 Since the refugees' return to Kosovo, JDC has:

· Repaired and reopened more than 25 elementary schools at the request of UNICEF in Pristina, Podujevo and Prizren.

·  Distributed 3,600 school bags to first graders in more than 20 schools in Kosovo.

·  Distributed 5,000 pairs of children’s winter shoes among children in Macedonia, and 15,000 pairs among orphaned or poor children in Kosovo.

·Provided 160 students at the Zeinel Haidini School with orchestra uniforms.

·Provided five winterized tents that were used as temporary school facilities.

·Donated pharmaceuticals valued at $20,000 to a Prizren hospital.

·Donated 800 sets of bed sheets to the gynecology department in a Pristina hospital.

 

When the refugees were driven out of Kosovo, JDC :

 ·  Established the Community Health Project in Cair, Macedonia in partnership with the International Rescue Committee, to serve refugee and host  families.

·Established one of the few winterized refugee camps in Elbasan, Albania, housing some of the more vulnerable refugees.  This center has been turned over to the local authorities.

·  Repaired shelters in various camps in Albania during the height of the crisis, and distributed emergency items such as bedding and mattresses.

·  Provided recreational kits for over 10,000 children.

·  Set up 100 children's libraries for refugee children in Albania.

·  Commissioned and distributed educational posters to warn children of the dangers of land mines.

·Provided medical assistance to refugees who traveled by train from Albania to Kosovo during repatriation at the request of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

·Distributed duffle bags which were used by refugees to bring their belongings back home.

 

 The non-sectarian activities of JDC are funded entirely from private donations. The administration of these activities are funded by the Federation campaign of the United Jewish Communities.