"A few months ago, we couldn't afford school supplies for me. I was sad because I thought without it, I could not finish my education and become an engineer. But now, thanks to you, I have pencils, notebooks, a tablet and all I need to continue studying and achieve my dream job!” 12-year-old Astrit was not alone. Many of his friends and peers in Kosovo did not have schoolbags and supplies until recently. Their parents are too poor and often even must be happy to be able to conjure up a warm meal on the table every day.
Unfortunately, because of the Corona crisis, many more families like Astrit's are affected by poverty even more severely. The already high unemployment rate is rising, and more and more children are threatened to fall back in school because they cannot afford the necessary school materials or learning tablets they need for online teaching (for now it is part online and part offline classes).
This is where we come in! Thanks to your support we were able to provide Astrit and over 270 six to 14 year old pupils in Prizren with school bags and supplies. Over 150 of them have also received learning tablets (to share with their siblings as well – so we support even more pupils). Thanks to everyone who participated: Our colleagues from RBI Head Office who donated more than 7.000 Euro, our team in Kosovo, cargo-partner for the transport, as well as the METRO Group and PAGRO/LIBRO, who once again provided donations in kind or donations for purchasing school bags on site in Kosovo.
As part of our campaign, a press conference was held in Prizren with the Head of Municipal Education Directorate (Xhemile Vezgishi), Deputy Minister of Education (Enver Osdautaj), Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo CEO (Robert Wright), Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo Prizren Branch Manager (Lorik Munishi) and Head of UNICEF Office in Kosovo (Murat Sahin).
UNICEF has approached Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo and at the same day they agreed to collaborate on other important social topics for the country's children and families.
Together we make education possible!
#EducationMeansFuture
