The Karl Kübel Stiftung is currently involved in two projects in Kovoso. Both are undertaken in co-operation with CARE Germany. The starting point of our work are the fatal social and psychological damages which the Kosovo war left behind. Many people who experienced the war and associated atrocities are extremely traumatised.
If there is no professional help, the traumatic experiences will disturb the development and restructuring process of cummunities and societies. This situation constricts the reconciliation process and the continuation of freedom in a destabilised region. The Karl Kübel Stiftung aims to rebuild the psycho-social well-being and tries to initiate and support a strong community-oriented reconciliation and peace process. We therefore not only involve the Albanian majority but also the mixed ethnic communities.
Since May 2004 we have been carrying out a project in 25 villages of the Gijlan/Gnijal region, co-financed by the EU. Target group of these activities is a group of 10.000 psycho-sozial traumatised children and young people as well as their families. The children teachers take part in social trainings and can therefore work as multipliers. Apart from that the parents, council authorities and local policy-makers are involved in several activities including discussions and events to raise awareness on subjects such as girls education, integration of home-comers, violence in families, child labour etc.
"Education for Peace and Tolerance, Phase II" is supported by the Federal Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development and has been in progress since May 2003 in the region of Prizren. The project is based on the results and experiences of the project phase I. The focus was placed on the psychological care of 8,000 children in 24 communities. The content heavily resembles the EU project in Gijan/Gnijal region described above.
