YMCA in Kosovo Blog

A short but memorable visit... This month August 2019 the YMCA celebrated its 175th birthday, which was held in London. We volunteered at this 4-day event, where our goal was to represent Kosovo and tell about our work at the YMCA. Dea with YMCA Kosovo delegation at the YMCA 175 In addition to participating in the workshops, we also had the honor of leading our own workshops, sharing our culture with other people. Not only did we share our culture, we also got to know many other cultures from around the world, where we also had the opportunity to make friends with other young people who were part of the event. Dea with her new friend  And finally, we took a stroll through London visiting some of the many tourist sites and museums. Dea with YMCA Kosovo Delegation visiting London

A trip to London… The journey we undertook had a purpose: Attending the YMCA175 event, where we as a delegation from Kosovo had the honor of sharing the beautiful work of our youth with the world, how they help the community, empower youth and how it has impacted and continues to impact, influence. The YMCA is a place where young people can make a difference and feel valued in their community. Diona with the YMCA Kosovo Delegation in the YMCA 175 event I am fortunate to have the honor and privilege to be part of leading one of the many workshops of that event where I had the opportunity to share our culture and the role of young people from my country in empowering youth and changing socializing with people who were eagerly attending and involved in the session we had prepared! Diona during her workshop  Also, during this time I had the opportunity to participate in various workshops where I had the opportunity to get to know a large number of people from all over th...

Hello everyone. I’m Inesa Nikoliqi and I have been part of YMCA Kosova since 2015. Being part of   YMCA Kosovo has given me the best experiences for these years, I learned how to change things for good starting from myself to my society. Inesa with her friends  I started from Leadership training to a lot of other trainings like Y Woman, SDG, Scouts,  etc. And now I’m a Peer Trainer of a Leadership group. So being part of these groups YMCA gave me the chance to visit YMCA France to meet new people and let me know about different cultures from different places. Inesa during the activities in YMCA France camp We have been trained on the topic of "Integration of Migrants in Europe" , where through discussions, different activities and games we have learned about the migrants' struggles and how difficult it is for them to leave their country because of the wars, schooling or the economic reasons. Inesa and her friends at the European Counci...

When I first found out that I was chosen to go to London for YMCA 175 I was too excited, not only because I was going to London but also it was my first time in an airplane and my first time in an international event with YMCA. As days went by, the 3rd of August finally came. After a day of traveling, we saw our self in London. I still couldn't believe it. For the event, we had to take part in different workshops that were held by different countries around the world. We also had to lead a workshop "TenSing in a new country" which was on the last day of the event. The first day was amazing... It was the opening of the event where our ambassador Florent Abrashi sang some amazing songs, creating a wonderful atmosphere. The second day went great. Jora with Era, Dea, and Diona at YMCA175  I took part on workshops about wellness, leadership, and inclusion, which made me learn a lot about those topics and I’m happy that I can share that knowledge with our yout...

My name is Erjona Shala, I am 16 years old from Decan, I am in the second year at the gymnasium where I study natural science.  I joined the Youth Leading change programme in February this year, this for me is and will continue to be my best experience otherwise "open-air home" which has offered me and many young people to engage in free activities and various games and events. Erjona during one of her presentations  Group collaboration helps us greatly because we can discuss each and every one of the problems we face, conflict, and develop common perspectives.  Our trainers at any time are willing to advise, accompany, chat with us, and support us regarding all the topics we have learned so far. Erjona and her friends during world challenge I want to be part of the YMCA because we are all equal.  All of us need a place where we can express our thoughts freely, perhaps when we have a week of work overload a place like YMCA that lets us be ourselve...

Everything started with an invitation from a friend of mine... "do you want to be part of a youth training?"  Dea at Youth Ambassadors Meeting I accepted without asking any questions, even though I didn't know what the activities were or what we would do there. He said to me that I can invite one of my friends too, so Eli was the one I invited. This is how all started, the beginning wasn’t that good, because one of our trainers left but the other part of my YMCA road was just incredible. I applied to be a trainer for a Leadership group, I got accepted, they choose my group members, I was terrified because I didn’t meet any of them before. But they were my inspiration, they believed in me, worked with me and because of them I continue, I got another group that was as wonderful as the first one. Dea in the meeting with other Boards Members  I got an invitation to go to Norway for the TT festival where I meet a lot of new young people, new cultures it wa...

 Know your limits, but never stop trying to exceed them My experience at the YMCA in Kosovo Drenusha representing YMCA at CiviKos I have clearly in my mind the first day I came at the YMCA. I was called from my friend just for one day to accompany her, but I did not imagine that I will be a part of it, finding my space to share my opinions, feelings and expand my knowledge. At the beginning I did not know too much for the YMCA. I thought that it was just a youth center that do activities, games and stuff like that. After a month I can say that my point of view changed for better. The way I thought, the way I spoke and the way I communicate with other people. I have learned even more which are the problems that youth face with them. For one year I finished two levels of leadership and took part on world challenge “Move”(cup song), where I met new friends, new leaders and of course two important people Dorina and Adi. They always encourage and inspire us to not giving up...

The more we give, the happier we feel. Jora volunteering in Service Craftsman Enterprise Being a volunteer means that you are offering something – something that is not an obligation. People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For some it offers the chance to give something back to the community or make a difference to the people around them. For others it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge. Jora volunteering in her local library Jora wrote  a statement for each letter of the word VOLUNTEER during her badge presentation The essential part of every organization, volunteering is the giving of yourself, your time and talents to help others and make a difference in someone else life.  And that is why we feel useful, because being there for people in need means a lot, it gives you an opportunity to provide hope, love and also to get you to know people and try new things. Jora with her...

 I first started in September of 2012. I appreciate two of my friends Martin and Adrian who have been informed about the leadership training and invited me... in fact, I wasn't sure if I should go or not. I was very disappointed from the youth center of Gjakova in which I was registered as a volunteer and I have never been called in any activity because they were really passive in those days. Anjesa at the Youth Ambassador meeting The first day in YMCA was unexpected, I had fun and met new friends. Dorina was our trainer and she tried to leave us good impression about YMCA. We never did training like this in Gjakova, so as the first group we were one step before other young people. We had training once a week, but for us it wasn’t enough, we wanted more. Every day we spent there was really worthy, without mentioning the issues related to the space. Anjesa and Durim in Greece  After two amazing years spent in YMCA, even by having the chance to lead a grou...

The first time I heard about YMCA I honestly thought  it was a waste of time! However  I had nothing to do at that time... I was 15, no activities, nothing out of school and it was only once a week training. I didn’t have a great experience with my group and didn't know anyone so it wasn't a great first experience. But I came. Dren representing YMCA in Kosovo as Change Agents in France  My mom was a big reason for me to come every week, she trusted the leadership and every time I felt anxious she reassured me. It was hard at first but then something changed...it became a thing and I felt comfortable coming every week and then there were days I didn't want to come but I still came. Dren and the other participants joined the Wonderful Days Festival in Denmark Then I  volunteered and become a peer trainer. I didn’t know my partner Drenusha at first, but after we worked together more and more she become a really important person in my personal and Y...

The first time at the YMCA, I didn’t have a clue what it was, what happens and I don’t know what made me to continue the training... it was just a feeling that kept me.  Fiona is a Youth Ambassador There is no where or better yet there is no other place that makes me feel myself. The motivation that I get every time I enter the organization, I feel safe. I know there are people there who protects my rights. Fiona and her participant during Leadership Training I had a lot of problems to express my thoughts, being a ‘"peer trainer" has helped me a lot! I even trained two groups of young people who were successful and completed the three levels of leadership training. Leadership training The first time I meet an international person was at the YMCA, the first time I traveled abroad was with the YMCA, the first time I flew on an airplane was with YMCA, everything I started YMCA helped me make it possible. I found myself here, considering that I...

Everything started with the question "how to spend my free time?’’ One of my friends invited me to be part of an organisation which I didn’t have a clue about.  At first I  thought to myself what will I lose if I go and take a look? Then I started going every week and I started liking it more and more every time, then I couldn't wait to come every Saturday for Leadership training in Peja. Arber from Peja  At first I meet a lot of  new people, whom liked to hear my thoughts. I just felt free to express my ideas without being judged.  I changed the way of thinking at the YMCA and that's the first thing I achieved. I started to see things from different points. Arber at Youth Ambassador Meeting The biggest change that I achieved is when I came back from France. There I met a lot of new cultures from the world which changed me... it made me feel better for myself and my future.  Even if I regret some of my choices I made in life, I’...

Hello! I am Sabrija Nikoqeviq.  I am part of the YMCA for about 2 years. I participated in the Youth Empowerment Program, Y-Woman for Equality and Gender Equality, Ten Sing for Drama and Art. I was invited by a friend to be part of YMCA in 2015. In the beginning I did not know much about this organization for the empowerment of youth but by the time I managed to integrate with the group, the staff and the aims of this organization. Sabrija and her friends after the training   YMCA helped me to freely express my thoughts, to create a new society, to learn more about the problems my society and people around and solve them. Sabrija and her Leadership group After I completed the 3 Leadership levels, I joined the new Y WoMan group. It was a large group of 20 members, each sharing our daily thoughts, experiences of equality and gender rights, where we also learned many rights that we did not know we have. Sabrija and her friends at Y WoMan tr...

I always wanted a place to hang out with friends, exchange our opinions or ideas for any topic. This wish of mine came true when I joined the community Leadership project in Junik. I immediately informed all my close friends and we applied together. We just could not wait for the sessions to start. Eron with his friends during activities Even though we all knew each other, we were all just waiting for that one person to start talking. To be honest, I was terrified at first. We all knew that it was the beginning of something great. The session started with a good cup of coffee. After that we started discussing about a specific topic, which was great because we get to debate and learn new things from others. The last but not least part of the session is our favorite part of the day, games. We used to just have fun with games, but after each game we learn something new here, a point or moral or way of looking at things. The Community Leadership training has 3 levels, I just finis...