Jill's travel notes

Jill Cerqueira and her students from Holmdel, NJ, USA have decided to engage in a twinning process with two schools in Kosovo : one Serb, and one Albanian. Here is a note received from Jill on September 25th :

The trip was remarkable.  Beyond remarkable.  I met THE most wonderful people, Kosovars, Americans, Europeans alike.

I went with one other teacher, Jim Fitzmorris, who teaches history and environmental science at Collier High School, Marlboro, NJ.  (I teach at Holmdel High School, Holmdel, NJ).

We arrived in Skopje, and took a cab to the border at Blace.  There, a Kosovar Albanian friend met us, and drove us back to Pristina.  I was amazed at the variations in the country side--- one moment we passed mountains, the next a field of crops, villages scattered along the roadway, then tunnels carved through rock.

All over, there was evidence of rebuilding, and this was evidence that many many homes and buildings had been destroyed.  Merita Teliqi helped us find the Park Hotel, where we stayed during most of our trip.  I was surprised to find that Pristina was a peaceful city, filled with young, vibrant people. They gathered in the evenings, ate pizza, and enjoyed freedom to laugh aloud.  KFOR vehicles and troops were visible, and wandered in and out without making much of a stir.  UN and UN-MIK vehicles were seen in abundance.  I found myself feeling safe and very much at home.

Merita took us to visit the Xhevdet Doda, and met with Mr.Binak Ulaj, the school's Principal.  Mr. Ulaj was very enthusiastic about the concept of "twinning" with schools in the United States.  We bantered about possible ideas for American-Kosovar twinning projects, such as holiday celebration exchanges, collaboration on writings or poetry, and the importance of the upcoming elections in October and November, respectively.  While in the Xhevdet Doda school, I could not help but notice the very poor condition of the building, heated by coal burning heaters in each shabby classroom. Still, the quality of the education was clear, after I examined a magazine produced by the teenagers of the school.  They had written original stories, poetry, movie reviews, and other writings relevant to the lives of Kosovar Albanian teenagers.

I also had the opportunity to visit the Opstina school in Strpce, a Serb enclave in southwestern Kosovo.  Since this was July, the school was not in session, however, American KFOR troops were opening a soccer camp for the children of Strpce.  The children were beautiful, spirited, and very respectful to their elders.  Again, we met with Serb school personnel. Again, they received the "twinning" idea warmly, and we are looking forward to continuing this relationship.

I should add that while I was in Strpce, I was the guest of the American KFOR troops.  I'd received an invitation to spend a few days at Camp Bondsteel and go out on patrol with the American soldiers.  Strpce was the first stop on our patrol.  I was wearing kevlar and body armor, riding about in Humvees and speaking with American soldiers.  After Strpce, we traveled to Klokot, Vitina and Letnica.  There I met many people, Albanian and Serb alike.  All welcomed us warmly and peacefully.  The children I met were full of fun and enjoying the summer weather, swimming in streams and playing. They ran to great the MP's I was with and me as well.

Jill