Feb. 20 – “Italy planted a flower in Kosovo and we try to keep it alive but often we have no means to water it.” Fitore Haxihnasani is the president of the Center for Independent Living, a voluntary association born in Kosovo, in the municipality of Vitomirica, which takes care of children afflicted with autism, mental diseases and Down syndrome. The structure has thrived so far thanks to Italian cross- cooperation: the Army, associations, local authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Center reflects both Fitore’s past and the tragedy of war. “In 1999 I was deported in the Dinamo Tirana camp, which was managed by the Capodarco Community, who treated all people with disabilities and that has a structure of 7 floors in Ancona. After the war, Capodarco brought families back to Kosovo, about 700 people, and began rebuilding homes that had been burned down.” The idea to open a center for the handicapped came from this activity. “It was difficult to identify cases of disability, because it’s considered a disgrace and families were hiding their sick children in the house. They lacked the sensitivity and knowledge; often, though the local police would tell us something, and we would go check and most of the time is was just old people with high blood pressure.” In 2007, they were forced to change of venue, a problem that could have been unsolvable, but it was not so also thanks to Italy.” From 2007 to 2010, we received a donation from the Italian Foreign Ministry, just when we were asked to leave the premises. In that misfortune, I had the good fortune to meet the Italian K-For: their last resources for 2007 were given to us to build the new center, with the municipality of Peja giving us the land. Thanks to the NGO Tavolo Trentino for Kosovo we also receive 30 % of our funds from the municipality of Trento, with the stipulation that the funds are disbursed only if we manage to find the remaining 70%.” This however isn’t always easy. “With the old mayor, we managed to receive almost €10 000 per month, but after the November elections, the new administration is focusing on restoring a positive balance to the city’s funds. We have to thank the K-For, which makes food donations whenever they can, but towards the end of the month we bring food from home…” The Centre for Independent Living is a unique example throughout Kosovo, and plays an essential role within the community. “We took courses in Italy; Francesco Cucchi (Capodarco community leader) said that ‘ what we managed to do in ten years, he had done in thirty.'” Yet, Kosovo’s attention for disabilities hasn’t really matured over the years. “The constitution and other laws guarantee many rights on paper, but there are very few ways to implement them. The State grants € 100 per month to families with disabled children until the latter turn 18. The only hope for these children is this center. If we close, what’s going to happen? Are we sending them back home?”
