Fondacioni Femijet te Paret (Children First Foundation)

“School Regeneration Continuous Program” Actually, CFF is implementing the fifth phase (27 Dec’08- 27 Dec’10) of School Regeneration Program in Dajçi and Velipojë Communes of Shkodra region and respectively in two united schools called “Nikollë Zagoriani” and “Dajç”. The first and second phase of The Program SRP (Feb’00-Apr’01 and Nov’04-Nov’05) were implemented in 7 (elementary, secondary and middle schools) of Muhur and Maqellare communes in Dibra region. Shkodra city was the location of the third phase of The Program SRP (Feb’06-July’07) project beneficiaries were the schools with the biggest number of students in city “Ndre Mjeda” and “Deshmoret e Prishtines”. In April 2009 ended the forth phase of the 18 month project implemented in three schools “Dom Mikel Gjergji”, “Harku i Berdices” and “Federik Gjoni” of Berdice commune, Shkodra region. School Regeneration Program in all phases has been funded by AECID (Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarrollo) through RESCATE (Spanish NGO). Beneficiaries of the projects in these five phases have been 14 schools, more than 230 teachers, 5000 students and 10 representatives of Education Directorate in the two regions. The selection of the schools was based on the priority list of Regional Education Directorates in the selected areas. CFF has build good collaboration with Local and Education authorities during all phases of the program in order to smooth the implementation of program activities. The aim of the program is to improve the quality of education according the philosophy of Children Rights Convention, providing community support and establishing mechanisms for improving teaching approaches, education environment and creation of substantial material basic for teaching and learning. Program objectives are: - Improvement of physical infrastructure and learning environment of the schools; herewith CFF has worked with community members to prioritize rehabilitation activities using transparent and efficient procurement practices in a short period of time. - Involvement of parents, students, school teachers, representatives of LA and ED to participate actively in school related issues. Through training organized by CFF, they learned to organize and design activities for school maintenance and school based activities, and upgraded the capacities of students’ government and school board to collaborate with Local Authorities and other state structures in order to sustain the maintenance of their school. - Improvement of quality of teaching in the schools. CFF based on the national strategy for education approved by MoE and according the needs of school teachers select topics of teacher training and conducted teacher-training session on new methodology such as: child centre approach, critical thinking, interaction in the classroom, multiple intelligence in the classroom, class management ecc. For further improvement of education quality in schools, CFF established Resource Centre’s furnished with professional literature, artistic books, didactic materials and assets that will help school teachers, students and community to build professional capacities and organize meetings and extracurricular activities shaped on their needs. - Increase community awareness on Children Rights and Child Trafficking issues. CFF established in the project schools Task Forces with the active participation of students’ government and teachers and community members. Task Forces have been the promoters of the campaign in their community. Training for capacity building on children rights and child trafficking has been organized by CFF for students’ government and teachers and social worker. A comprehensive awareness campaign involving TV spots, distribution of posters and leaflets, exhibitions and sport activities was organized in each site of the program implementation with purpose dissemination of information in these areas. Beside these activities a considerable number of community members had the opportunity to participate in summer camps and community based courses such as: hand craft, tailoring, cooking, electrician, computer and English language courses. “Peace building in Kosovo” Another project funded by AECID through RESCATE is being implemented in Kosovo. The 24 month project “Peace building in Kosovo” (Sep’08-Sep’10) was preceded by a 6 months identification phase which started in September 2007. The project in being implemented in Istog where are living different ethnic groups. The goal of the project is to create a peaceful and stable framework (which makes feasible a prevention of conflicts) in Istog Community, through the protection of Vulnerable People (especially Children with Special Needs). Part of the project consisted in the construction of a center named Ludoteca which is designed for several activities with children from Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian and RAE communities; using different approaches, Ludoteca will offer special services for children in need (from different ethnic groups) in this area such as: psychological assistance for traumatized children and rehabilitative activities for children with disabilities. A personal file collecting data on children clinical history and progress will be created and an Individual Education Plan will be elaborated for all beneficiaries of Ludoteca services. A minibus called Ludobus is travelling all over Istog area organizing activities in the villages with children who for different reasons can’t benefit from Ludoteca. Beside this awareness activities to promote coexistence between Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian and RAE communities are being implemented during the project. CFF is organizing trainings for teachers, social workers, parents and students designed and conducted by experts in the field of conflict resolution, coexistence and children rights. Sportive activities, role plays and exhibitions will support the elaboration of the messages delivered during training sessions. Radio and TV spot campaigns leaflets and posters will involve all the community of Istog during the project.