A Country without a Camp - Frost Valley Article

A COUNTRY WITHOUT A CAMP

Frost Valley partners to help open the first summer camp in Kosovo

Typically, when a parent in the United States is deciding what their children should do for the summer, the question is: Which camp do we send them to? However, in some countries, parents don’t have a variety of wholesome, beneficial options at their disposal.

Kosovo is one such country at risk of lacking those enriching opportunities for its youngsters. Despite its vibrant and enthusiastic citizens, years of political unrest and devastating war have severely reduced the number of youth development opportunities in Kosovo. Unfortunately, prior to 2003, Kosovo was not included in the nearly 120 countries that are home to YMCAs.

Kosovo is a small, landlocked territory in the center of the Balkan Peninsula, where thousands of civilians were subjected to conflict of Serbian military forces, resulting in a long-standing war. The majority of the population in Kosovo today is under the age of 35 years old, many of whom are sons and daughters of those lost in the war. Therefore, beneficial opportunities for children are severely lacking, and there is not a single summer camp location in the entire nation.

Some Kosovar children are faced with extremely adverse situations at home, living in a country where family members have been lost at war or have been casualties of devastating ethnic cleansing. Faced with a diminished number of adults, the country has a great need for youth development, and a need for places where children can feel safe, be themselves and play freely. Sadly, the lack of positive influences for children and teens has allowed for negatively indoctrinating groups to fill the void.

Inspired by the worldwide YMCA and knowing that a trusted name was needed, Kosovo established a National YMCA Office over a decade ago. The vision and mission for the Kosovo YMCA were approved at the 2014 assembly meeting, and the Y is currently in construction, led by Dorina Lluka, CEO of YMCA Kosovo. The Y’s hope is to be an inclusive movement where families can grow in spirit, mind, and body. “It is extremely difficult to work with children and families who have been traumatized by the state of their country. We have to put our heart and mind to action and create a safe place for everyone,” Dorina explained.

But Dorina knew what Kosovar youth needed most: a summer camp.

And that is why Frost Valley invited Dorina here last October. She traveled thousands of miles to attend the International Camp Directors Conference to convene with over 100 CEOs and Executive Directors from 27 countries as far as China, Armenia, Peru, India, and France. The YMCA leaders worked to develop and strengthen international YMCA camp leadership, programs, and sustainability strategies, and increase philanthropic support for YMCA camps in the U.S. and around the world.

One of the most poignant moments of the conference was the live and silent auctions that took place on the final night of the event. Participants donated dozens of items to benefit the construction of the first overnight camp in Kosovo. Thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of the group, the auction raised nearly $17,000 toward this vital cause. “I felt so inspired and motivated as I left Frost Valley. The highlight was the fundraiser for the Camp, the first in Kosovo. The conference pushed that project forward, and because of it, hundreds of thousands of children in Kosovo will benefit,” said Dorina.

Dorina explained that she left so much more than financial backing. “The conference has opened doors to a new partnership between Frost Valley YMCA and YMCA Kosovo. We were happy to host Jerry, Frost Valley’s CEO, during his visit to Kosovo in May, and it is a great example of the strong friendship we have between countries.”

After the conference concluded, Dorina returned to Kosovo where she continues to develop plans for the Camp to build a much-needed sanctuary for children and families in Kosovo. YMCA Kosovo currently serves over 700 families and children each week with the admirable goal to welcome the people of their community to a place that promotes peace and unity and celebrates each other’s differences. We tip our hats to Dorina and YMCA Kosovo for fully embracing the “for all” aspect of the Y’s mission.


This article was taken from Frost Valley YMCA's Annual Report 2017.