Our main initiative was to help youth and women build futures in Kosovo, so I decided a good place to start was to build relationships by supporting, encouraging, and establishing trust and mutual respect.
With only a few months left in service, I often find myself thinking “what an interesting experience.” Opportunities to get involved in my community are plenty, my students are gifted and thriving, the winters are icy cold, and I often get unwanted attention on the street due to my ethnicity. Collectively, these experiences shape my opinion of not only my host country, but they shape how I view of myself as well. If not for this opportunity, I would have never have believed in myself as a strong, resilient woman.
The other day I was sitting in my host family’s living room and it hit me that I was nearing the nine month mark of being in Kosovo. What’s the significance of that? Well, it means I am one third of the way through my service.
I heard it said once that Albanian proverbs are only helpful by accident, “like a shrug written down,” and I can honestly say that about sums up my experience in Kosovo.
From rural villages to busy cities, women are the backbone of society. They are health care professionals, local organizers, inventive entrepreneurs, sustainability-minded farmers and dedicated educators.
In Kosovo, Peace Corps education Volunteers James and Rachel Wirt helped form Bletët e Vërtetë, a women’s group focused on economically empowering women through beekeeping.
Peace Corps' first class of trainees in Kosovo begins their journey today, as they gather in Washington, D.C., for their staging event before getting on a plane. Trainee Vera Greene will regularly contribute posts about her experiences and observations as a member of this historic class. Below is her first post. Be sure to wish her well as she prepares to leave for Kosovo!
