Kosovo
Kosovo is a new nation in southeastern Europe that declared its independence in 2008. It was a region of Yugoslavia and has experienced many years of conflict as it sought independence. Kosovo now struggles to rebuild and address serious issues such as poverty and ethnic conflict—both of which negatively impact children and families.
Bethany Christian Services (BCS) became involved in Kosovo in 1992 working through its Bethany-Albania partner. Initial efforts in Kosovo were focused on providing psychosocial services to traumatized refugees. In 2000, Bethany Christian Services-Kosovo was established as a local non-governmental organization (NGO). At that time, BCS and Bethany-Kosovo partnered with four West Michigan organizations to meet the needs of returning refugees through an initiative known as the Alliance for the Relief of Kosovo (ARK).
In 2001, the Center for Community Rehabilitation in Kolonia, a suburb of Gjakova located in southwest Kosovo, was donated to Bethany-Kosovo. From the Center, Bethany-Kosovo has provided a variety of social services, including:
- Family support services
- Training programs
- Trauma counseling
- Community organization
The minority populations in Kosovo struggle with poverty and social exclusion, and Bethany-Kosovo’s services have targeted the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian (RAE) communities. The RAE people comprise nearly 60% of the population living in poverty.
Bethany-Kosovo’s Social Inclusion Project, funded in part by UNICEF, and its Local Community Initiative, bring together multiple governmental and NGOs to provide integrated services for RAE children and their families.
Bethany-Kosovo is grateful for the financial support received from local, international, government, and private organizations, as well as individuals as it works to meet the needs of hundreds of at-risk children and families.
Click on the program title to learn how you can help.
System Development
Local Community Initiative
Social Inclusion