B3P Summer Programmes 2014
Vermosh, Lepushë, Plav and Thethi
Vermosh and Lepushë 28th July –l5th August, 20l4
Coordinator: Tom Phillips
This was the third time that B3P has operated in both villages and, as in previous
years, English-language classes were a key activity. This year, however, there was a
greater emphasis on the environment and tourism, and, outside the school, on research
into opportunities for the development of sustainable tourism in the area, including
informal meetings with individual guesthouse owners and more formal meetings in
both Vermosh and Lepushë for all those with an interest in tourism development. The
1
SP also played host to a number of visitors, including a party of trekkers led by
Richard (Hargreaves), a party of English teenagers from Wilderness Expertise, a
tourism student (and ‘graduate’ of B3P’s summer school in Thethi 2008) from
Shkodra, publisher Flutura Açka and a party of German/ Norwegian/Dutch publishers,
Barbara Haussmann (and friends), representatives from the American Embassy in
Tirana and the Albanian environmental NGO PPNEA
In all, thirteen people participated as volunteers/teachers/translators in the 2014 SP in
Vermosh and Lepushë: three from Albania, two from Kosova, one from the USA, one
from the Netherlands and six from the UK. The Vermosh SP registered 8 students
aged under-12 and 17 aged 13-18 (no adults registered) while the Lepushë SP
registered 32 students across an age range of 4 to 42. A significant proportion of those
attending the school were ‘returners’ from previous years.
Although classes still focused on English, Kelsey Aho’s presence in the second two
weeks meant that both schools benefitted from her input, with lessons based around
key ideas of peace, the environment and cross-border cooperation. PPNEA also led
environmental activities, including an activity walk from the school to the nearby
upland meadows. Kujtim Shkolli (the visiting tourism student) gave talks in both
Vermosh and Lepushe schools, generating – sometimes impassioned – debate about
the future for young people in both villages.
A number of extra-curricular activities took place. Volleyball was this year’s most
popular game and B3P participated in after-school games on many days: the visiting
teenagers from Wilderness Expertise also organised games with the local teenagers.
Both programmes ended with graduation ceremonies in which students performed and
received certificates.
2
Plav, Babino Polje 2nd August – 8th August 2014
Co-ordinator Sylvia Shatwell
The summer programme was a true collaboration between B3P, NP Prokletije, HRID
and Triton NGOs, and Kelsey Aho’s Multilateral Dialogue in the Prokletije/ Bjeshket
e Namuma project. (Kelsey is a former B3P volunteer, 20l2, who has worked closely
with B3P since then).
Activities
The programme content comprised English language teaching, games and ‘field trips’
to a botanical garden, the old Mosque in Plav, the old Kulla and to Ali Pasini Springs
and the new NP tourist office in Gusinje.
The focus of language teaching was on conservation and environmental topics and
supported the delivery of Kelsey’s mapping and postcard activities - the central part of
3
her trans-border project (separate report available). Sylvia took the older class and
B3P volunteer Gina Greenley took the younger class and also delivered a comic book
project which linked in with the overall conservation theme of the camp.
Volunteers from HRID and Triton NGO’s supported the camp as translators, drivers
and a cook, as well as a teacher from the local high school. 20 children aged 10-15
were brought up the mountain each day and as well as the activities, we all had lunch
together.
National Park Prokletije Director, Enko Drescovic gave a talk on the NP and the
children were able to ask him questions. The children were given another
environmental session by one of the volunteers at the new NP tourist office in Gusinje.
The graduation ceremony was held at the cultural centre in Plav and coincided with a
local festival. Parents and families as well as the volunteers and director of the park
attended and a press release was issued resulting in a short article in a national
newspaper.
Another volunteer, builder Simon Philpott offered his practical skills and these were
well received. Simon undertook some repairs around the mountain camp at Babino
Polje and was also taken into the forest with Enko and the local forester, where they
dragged down two fallen trees. These were then used to make a new table and
benches.
Outcomes, reflections, information and plans for the future
Working closely with the Montenegrin volunteers was absolutely central to the
success of this pilot project and to the developing of a much clearer understanding of
the issues and challenges faced by the NP and the region. There was excellent
dialogue between B3P-UK and Montenegrin partners, such that we can work together
in true partnership which complements as well as furthers each of our respective
4
objectives. During this pilot programme the children extended their understanding of
conservation issues across the region.
Additionally, the director of the National Park has asked that the camp be extended
next year to two sites (Babino Polje and Grebaje) and to younger children too.
Thethi 11th August – 16th August
Co-ordinators: Antonela Melonari and Angela Selmani
20 children aged 5 – 16 were registered and attended regularly. The Co-ordinators were
assisted by, Besim Morina Historian and Headteacher from Kosova, and as in previous
years Miranda Thethora and Pranvera Carku.
5
Curriculum topics were ‘Imagine a Peace Park’ , ‘Letters and Postcards to England’,
and art and environmental projects. Maths was also included as a vehicle to teach
numbers. Nature trails around the village were organized and collages created from
natural objects. The children produced some excellent art work and creative ideas
relating to the peace park topic. Their artistic talent and their handwriting were
impressive. Besim Morina discussed local history with the older children and
included a project on Edith Durham.
The Closing ceremony on the Saturday afternoon – was organised to show our
support of the village and to celebrate our 7th successful annual Summer Programme.
Certificates were presented and refreshments and music were provided. This was
attended by invitation by Aida Hazari and her family and Yllka Alidema and her
family who travelled to Theth from Durres and Tirane. (both were volunteer teacher
applicants in 2012 – both work and live in London with various Albanian projects).
Theth continues to be a thriving tourist destination with many new guest houses all re
furbished to a high standard. All the guest houses host many tourists and most are full
over the season. Many of the families are now staying over the winter and so the
school now operates again, and has one teacher.
6