With a supportive environment, children with disabilities excel
HËNA Group
“I was on duty for the day and to fulfill one of the responsibilities such as cleaning the sponge, I headed towards the door to wash the sponge. Suddenly, the former teacher said to me: Don’t go, because until you go and come back, the class will be over” - Eldin Gashi, member of the HËNA Group
“In one class, I had forgotten to do my homework and the math teacher addressed me with the words: ‘Why do you come to school and torture yourself, I know how you are, you don’t know anything’ - Eliza, member of the HËNA Group
“The whole class was mobilized to go to a sports activity, within the physical education subject. I wanted to go so bad.. . But the caretaker at schools said, Lorik, don't worry, you have a day off that day, you can go and receive services at Handikos... I just looked at him and didn't say a word. I wanted to tell him that I don't need the day off, but I need to be there with my friends, with you. I didn't tell him that. But now after a year, I know that I would tell him, because I am aware that I should raise my voice, to oppose him, if necessary, when I know that I am being treated unfairly. Now I am more aware of everything” - Lorik, member of the HËNA Group
According to the latest UNICEF report “Children with Disabilities in Europe and Central Asia: Statistical overview of their well-being'” children with disabilities in the Europe and Central Asia region continue to face widespread discrimination at home, at school, and in the wider community. This is also a reality for children in Kosovo, as the excerpts above from the stories of Eliza, Lorik and Eldin show.
Eliza, Loriku and Eldin are three bright and motivated young members of the HËNA Group – an informal advocacy group of children with disabilities, founded by the Handikos Association in 2017. HENA, which means “moon” in Albanian, has worked for the last six years to help children with disabilities speak for themselves and advocate to with disabilities in discussion panels, in various cultural and social events, in important meetings for capacity building for this category increase awareness of the needs and rights of children with disabilities in Kosovo.
In 2023, with the financial support of USAID, HENA Group held advocacy meetings in seven municipalities of Kosovo with about 100 children to promote discussion about the discrimination, bullying and other obstacles faced by children with disabilities in Kosovo. Eldin, Eliza and Lorik as young leaders in their community coached other members of the “HENA” group, empowering other young children and adolescents to speak up and bring change to the community.
Three stories encouraging us to never give up
Florent from Fushë Kosova, Elza from Peja, and Bleon from Ferizaj all participated in these meetings, and told us how they were motivated by the experience and how much they want to see changes and more opportunities for children like them.
“HËNA Group opened my eyes, it provided me a space, a chance for people to hear and see that I exist, but also a space to speak up in order to improve our basic needs and conditions,” says Florent, an 18 year old boy who lives with cerebral palsy but who never stopped his activities. He attends classes at the Gymnasium 'Hivzi Sylejmani' in Fushë Kosova and has travelled all over Kosovo every time the HËNA Group had meetings where the need for local and national policies to improve the lives of children with disabilities in Kosovo has been addressed.
Elza Bojku from Peja is another member of the HËNA Group. Elza has difficulties in walking, however this did not prevent her from visiting the Ombudsman and raising the issue of the lack of teacher assistants at schools. She explained how this lack of support can make a child stop attending school, and feel even more isolated. While Elza confirms that HËNA Group has been an impactful platform to speak up for children with disabilities, she also highlights that she hasn’t seen the desired change yet, where all children enjoy their rights, with or without disability.
“We all want to be independent, that's why we are working together as a group and that's why we lobbied constantly. We have said this in all meetings, see us as equal and provide us opportunities because we are unstoppable when you open the way for usand when you open our horizons. I am not satisfied with the outcome so far, but of course I have hope,” says Elza.
15-year-old Bleon Terstena, a tenth-grade student at the “Faik Konica” Economic School in Ferizaj, says that he is pround of the advocacy done through the HËNA Group.
“We constantly advocated for the issues that are challenging to us. I personally have a family that helps me but I know that other children with disabilities need support and help”, says Bleon. He further highlights “We have visited most of the cities in Kosovo, we have talked to everyone about our rights, everyone knows our demands, but there must be a will to help. We as a group are very united, we constantly advocate, we never stop”, says Bleon.
UNICEF in Kosovo is committed to provide space and platforms for children to express their views and advocate for the inclusive laws and policies they need. HËNA Group is an important example of child-led activism which can change for all children, with or without disability.
