Interview from Pristina, Kosovo with charity project beneficiary

In this interview, Blerta Perolli-Shehu, educational advisor with SOS Children Kosovo talks with Emine, who is a single mother with a daughter, aged 4. Emine's husband was killed in a car crash three and a half years ago in which her daughter lost her hearing. Following the accident, Emine's in-laws kicked her and her daughter out of their house and stopped all contact with them. Emine now lives with her parents, her daughter attends the SOS Nursery School where she got an opportunity to get sign language lessons. They have been beneficiaries of the programme for over a year.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: First I'd like to ask you how did you come into contact with Fetiye (social worker of family strengthening programme)? How did you meet for the first time?

Emine: I don't know, I can't remember.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: You can't remember?

Emine: No.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Eltina was in the (SOS) nursery school?

Emine: Right, we met there in the nursery school, but I honestly can't remember how.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: As far as I can remember it was the nursery school director, Remziye, the one who told Fetiye to come meet you and then you came into our office.

Emine: Oh, yes, Fetiye called me. That's where we met, I think. I don't know.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Then Fetiye introduced you with the programme, told you that she'd like to work with you and help you. How did you feel? Did you trust her? Did you think she could help you?

Emine: Yes.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Did you have any doubt at the beginning regarding what this programme is all about? Was there any fear?

Emine: No, I trusted her. The doctor's help was very welcome, because I wasn't good. Ever since I'm in contact with Fetiye, I'm much better.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Eltina was enrolled to the (SOS) nursery school and she's still attending. Are you pleased with the work done with her?

Emine: I'm very pleased.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Did you notice improvements? Are you satisfied?

Emine:Yes, (she's) much better.

What did you get from the programme, from all the things we have been doing together? What kind of help did you get from SOS Children? What did we do to help you?

Emine: You have helped me with everything. To me it seems that you have given me everything. Each month we receive help of some sort. I don't know, I shouldn't be dissatisfied.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: There have been regular talks with Fetiye. She counselled you. How did you feel after these talks?

Emine: Very well, she has helped me a lot.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: And the doctor's check-up?

Emine: I don't know. In short, I got a lot of help from them. I don't know what to say.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: How do you feel about Eltina learning sign language?

Emine: That's very good.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Is she communicating well?

Emine: Yes.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: We have noticed that she learned many signs?

Emine: Yes.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Is she practicing at home?

Emine: Yes, she tells me many things. This is the sign for this, this for that.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: She teaches you signs?

Emine: Yes.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Would you like to learn this language?

Emine: Yes, I would, very much.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: You know there is a possibility for the same teacher to teach you as well.

Emine: Yes, I'd like that. I learn some things from Eltina, but I can't learn everything.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Of course.

Emine: I wish I had someone to teach me.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: If you learn the sign language well, would you like to continue being Eltina's teacher? Or maybe even teach other children?

Emine: Oh, for sure.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Do you see yourself as a sign language teacher in the future?

Emine: Yes, if I can make it.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Would you like to?

Emine: Yes, I would like to work with children. I love children very much. I would like to find some long-term employment in the field. Even as a private teacher.

What else has been done with Fetiye? How do you feel about the meetings we organised with the other mothers?

Emine: Very well.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Was there any additional gain? What's your impression?

Emine: It was good. Sometimes I attended (the meetings), sometimes not, because I wasn't able to.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: You weren't able to?

Emine: Yes, I was feeling bad. Sometimes I didn't feel well.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Each with her problems.

Emine: Exactly.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Can you tell me how Eltina felt at the children's activities? Did she like the games we organised?

Emine: Yes, very much.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Did she like being (at the activities)?

Emine: Yes, very much. She loves to do that.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Did you got with Fetiye to the check-ups that the doctor performed?

Emine: Yes.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: Was it difficult to [get appointments]?

Emine: No, we could go with Fetiye at any time.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: You now have your own chart there?

Emine: Yes.

Blerta Perolli-Shehu: You can organise the care yourself.

Emine: Yes, thank you.

SOS Children has been working in Kosovo since 2000 and cares for more than 300 children and families through the family strengthening programme run from the SOS Social Centre at Pristina.

You can support children in Kosovo by sponsoring a child.