A day in Esra's life: Turning challenges into hope
Untying the knot for children with disabilities
"Getting to Prishtina isn’t just a trip; it’s navigating through a world that’s not fully open to me yet," Esra thinks as she wakes up early in her home in Mitrovica.
Esra is 14 years old and has been in a wheelchair all her life. Today, like every week, she needs to travel to Prishtina to get the healthcare she requires, services that aren’t available in her hometown.
“Every week, my parents have to take me to Prishtina because, otherwise, I can’t get the treatments I need by myself,” Esra says with a mix of gratitude and frustration. Her father greets her with a smile, ready to help her get ready for the day. Her family is her biggest support, but she feels the lack of help from the institutions.
However, healthcare is just one of the challenges she faces. During her weekly journeys to Prishtina, Esra has also identified another issue: the lack of accessible public spaces. Each trip highlights the barriers that still exist, making her journey even more difficult and underscoring the need for greater inclusivity in public infrastructure.
The Journey to Prishtina
Even so, the weekly trips to Prishtina with her father have strengthened the bond between them. He has been a tremendous support in helping her navigate this difficult situation, even going as far as closing his furniture repair business on some occasions to accompany Esra to Prishtina. Due to the challenging infrastructure, it's impossible for her to move around the city on her own, and her father has always been there to support her every step of the way.
The journey with her father is long, and as soon as they reach Prishtina, Esra encounters her first challenge: the sidewalks.
"Most of the time, they're either blocked by cars, too narrow, or too high, making it impossible for me to use them," Esra says, clearly frustrated.
These everyday obstacles turn what should be a simple trip into a series of difficult tasks, each one reminding her of the limitations imposed by the city's inadequate infrastructure.
Despite her challenges, Esra is also a very ambitious girl and has never given up on her education, even though it has been incredibly difficult considering that in Kosovo, 8% of children have functional difficulties in at least one area. Only 10% of children with disabilities benefit from health, education, and social services.
Although her visit to Prishtina had other purposes, Esra was drawn to the books she saw in the city and decided to enter one of the shops to buy some educational materials that would help her achieve her dream of continuing her education.
It is worth mentioning that Esra's visit this time is more special than the usual ones because she has decided to raise her voice for the lack of access in public spaces and other issues that children with disabilities face. Therefore, after she leaves the bookstore, she heads towards the municipality of Prishtina, where Bekim, representing Down Syndrome Kosova, is waiting for her, deliberately joining forces with Esra to advocate for all children's rights. Together, they are part of the #UntieTheKnot campaign. This isn’t their first meeting with the Mayor of Prishtina, Mr. Përparim Rama, but it is different—they are hopeful for real solutions to their challenges and are eager to make a positive difference for their community.
Advocating for Change, One Step at a Time
Esra and Bekim have always spoken up for the rights of children with disabilities. They have worked hard to raise awareness and fight for better inclusion and accessibility in their communities. So, when they heard about UNICEF's #UntieTheKnot campaign, they were immediately interested and wanted to be part of it. The campaign seemed like a great way to make their voices heard and push for real change. Joining the campaign felt right for them because it matched their ongoing efforts to improve the lives of children with disabilities in Kosovo.
The advocacy efforts of the #UntieTheKnot campaign were followed by discussions with the Mayor of Prishtina, Mr. Përparim Rama, at a Municipal Assembly meeting attended by over 50 children. During these discussions, child advocates Bekim and Rijad passionately echoed their calls for improving access to public spaces, institutions, and transportation for people with disabilities.
In addition, Esra, a child advocate for children with disabilities, raised her voice at the Inter-Ministerial Committee meeting on children's rights in Kosovo. She directed her needs and requests toward decision-makers, emphasizing the importance of realizing children's rights and addressing pressing issues such as improving the quality of education and ensuring access to healthcare and educational services.
However, this initiative and the tireless advocacy of the children supported by European Union in Kosovo in partnership with UNICEF proved to be successful for Esra, Bekim, and thousands of other children in Kosovo whom they represent. Mayor Përparim Rama opened both the doors and his heart to these children.
As a result of this hopeful meeting, the municipality committed to continuing financial support for NGOs that provide direct social services, focusing on children with disabilities. They also promised to maintain an annual subsidy for each child and to keep working on making Prishtina barrier-free for every child.
The day has been long, but as Esra and her father drive back to Mitrovica, she feels a little more hopeful. Meeting Bekim and talking about their shared dreams for a better future gives her strength. She knows the road ahead is difficult, but every step she takes brings her closer to a world where children like her can live without limits.
“Every step we take together brings us closer to a world where everyone belongs,” Esra thinks as she watches the sun set. She knows her fight isn’t just for herself, but for all children who deserve a world that welcomes them.
As the day ends, Esra shares a strong message: "Let's untie the knot for all children!" She calls on everyone to work together to build a world where no child is left out, where public spaces are open to everyone, and where every journey, whether to school or the capital, is free.
To help ease the lives of children with disabilities across Kosovo, in collaboration with the Handikos and Down Syndrome Kosova associations, UNICEF and the EU in Kosovo have supported the provision of rehabilitation services in 12 centers across 25 municipalities, reaching more than 1,347 children with disabilities. UNICEF and the EU remain committed to supporting the inclusion of all children and ensuring access to education, healthcare, and social services.
