Good walk

After lunch in cafe – (during which the was a short but very heavy downpour of rain) we went for a good walk through Gjakove and then through fields up a hill overlooking the town. There are very occasionally landmines found but the area where we walked was safe. At the top of the hill there were war graves of those murdered in Gjakove and a big board showing their names. There is a part of the graveyard ready for more burials in due course. After the rain shower the weather has turned quite hot and we enjoyed a drink at a cafe on top of the hill sharing jokes with our hosts overlooking some spectacular scenery.

23/5 5.45pm Eddie

Church service

We gave a short greeting to the congregation. Most of the service was translated (exept the prayers usually) and a lot of the songs we sung in both languages – we knew quite a few of the songs already

23/5 5.30pm Eddie

Weather and other stuff

It rained a bit earlier in the day and then the sun came out in the afternoon. On the way home we called at a river bank site where lots of coaches of teenagers on a school trip were stopping to play volleyball and go on a ride. I bought ice creams for 8 of us for £2.20 in total. It has been an energetic day and we feel quite tired. We are hoping that the Champions League final will be on the TV tonight

22/5 8pm Eddie

Graves

In the village of Krushe Madhe it was strange to come out of the club and straight away see the lines and lines of graves of the men of the village who were killed during 1998 and 1999. During the time of ‘ethnic cleansing’ it is estimated that 75% of the men of the village were murdered. It is very hard for the women and the children to get over all that has happened. We looked at 3 or 4 of the graves which had been recently dug as the bodies of the men had only been found and identified 3 months ago after all these years.

More Children’s clubs

Today we did a lot of children’s club! The first lot was in Eternity Church and they were really lively! I had to sing with them and then sang a song by myself. Some of them knew some English, and were able to respond to Dad when he talked to them all! The second and third one was in a small village in a little place with 2 rooms, and we did the same sort of stuff! They loved playing with the parachute and playing a ball game! The children are very welcoming and very nice to speak to them. I like the tradition of girls kissing each other on the cheek twice, starting on the right and the men hug each other. We are going to church tomorrow and meeting all the friends we have made, and Sam has made a good impression on the older guys?!
22/5 7:30pm Martha

Food and weather

For dinner we had roast chicken and rice. It was a very nice dinner. We also have been sitting in the lounge chilling out with all the people staying at the centre. We have been eating loads of biscuits and sweets and just met a little tiny tortoise! Tomorrow we are going to 3 kids clubs and I hope we have lots of fun!
21/5 9:25pm Martha

Weather
It was quite cold this morning but this afternoon it seems like the snow on the mountains has melted a bit – perhaps things will warm up – we have heard it is very hot in the UK and we haven’t even needed any sun cream.
21/5 9.45pm Eddie

Language schools

We paid a quick visit to Jeton’s language school and met some teenage girls who are learning English – we chatted with them about Life in Kosova and England. We then drove to Rahovec where Berti from Smile runs English classes twice a week.
21/5 1.05pm Eddie

After lunch we took part in Berti’s English class; about 20 children came and we did some English learning with them and then we played some English games for them to learn words that way. What’s the time Mr Wolf? We went down well as did musical statues. We told them the story of Noah. They were all very happy children and just wandered off together after the club; parents never seem to pick their children up here or mind where they are, it’s quite a nice relaxed feeling.
21/05 6:30pm Ali

Little Girl

When we went to visit the little girl we found out that her uncles and her dad were given a 1/3 of the land each. But when the girl’s dad died, her uncles cast her, her mum and her brother out of the house, leaving them with a tiny shed next to the house, with a bunk-bed, a basket of food and a little cooker. They nearly burnt it down because the cooker was so hot. Also, whenever they got new things, the uncles from next door would just take it. The girl seemed very independent, even though she was 10 because her mum and brother went to hospital so she would have to do everything on her own. We are thinking of painting the inside of her house, because it was very dark and we would think it would brighten up their shed.
21/5 1:00pm Martha

Visit to small house

There was a girl called Qerime and she lived in a tiny one room house with no lock on the front door. Her mum (who is a widow) was in hospital and her brother was visiting her in hospital so Qerime was on her own. We realised that she could read and say a lot of English although she was only ten. We were listening to her reading her work book from the school and we were amazed!
21/5 10:00pm Jake

Evening meeting

This evening we went to a meeting at a church which meets in a rented house. Most of us couldn’t understand each other but it didn’t matter because we knew that we were all talking to the same God and that we were family; it was an amazing experience

20/5 9pm Alison

Childrens club

Later on we went to Kids Club. It was based in a school and there was about 10 – 15 children. We sang and then listened to a parable about Jesus. Then my dad sorted out loads of games with parachutes and balloons. Then everyone went outside and had a massive game of football! It was a very fun day!
20/5 9:45pm Martha

Gypsy village

Today we went to a little isolated village with 3 houses and A LOT of children! They were all very nice and very friendly. We were talking to widow that Smile is sponsoring. Her eldest son had (we think) epilepsy and had lots of heart attacks. Their dog had also just had puppies and they were a week old! They were so cute! My favourite one was a white one; I think it was a Labrador. I made friends with a 17 year old girl who was married, and she cared a lot about her family which was very nice. Everyone was very friendly and it was an amazing experience.

20/5 1pm Martha

Good morning

When we woke up me and Sam went in the games room that has a soft play area, a pool table, an air hockey table and a table football table.
We went to a widow and her family’s house to give them help and in the end, all of the children in the neighbourhood turned up! We had one of those parachutes and the children we’re loving it. Also, we were getting the children to make jewellery with plastic beads and strings.
All in all, not a bad morning!
20/5 1pm Jake

Kosova is a beautiful country with spread out houses in the countryside – lots of poppies growing by the road side – rather poigniant! 50 mile journey took about an hour and a half and the view from the centre is of the mountains of the Albanian border.
We unpacked and the children were delighted to find a good games room at the centre – we then went to a local restaurant for a lovely meal (34Euros for 12 people including soft drinks!). we arrived back at 10.30pm and had a short welcome meeting. We are the first people to come here as part of a sabbatical.
Things are flexible here and our draft programme will change as we go along – I will updated when I can
A good nights sleep in a very comfortable bed was very welcome
Eddie 8am 20/5

journey

Hi guys!
We had a really good flight, not delayed or cancelled and we flew over the Swiss Alps! It was really pretty and covered in snow!
The airport in Pristina was really small and we got out in about 5 minutes!
We have been collected by a VW van and are travelling along a very bumpy road listening to Disney ‘The Rescuers’ on a tape.
It will be about an hour and a half to the centre and we are really looking forward to it! We hope to have a look around and meet new people!
19/5 6pm Martha, Jake and Sam. J

Good News

We are very glad that the Ash Plume seems to be moving away :)

i'm excited

3 days before we leave: i am really looking forward to maybe seeing a black bear ( i'll need to be properly awake!!!)
Jake

Girls Brigade

The 1st Hythe Girls Brigade

have made two big cards to give to the new Girls Brigade

companies in Kosova

Getting ready

We are looking forward to our trip and glad that the BA Strike does not affect Gatwick Airport. We have been collecting stationery to take to schools and pupils at Orchard Junior School have been writing letters to give to the children.

Welcome