Recently, I wrote about the inspiring actions of two young men who took it upon themselves to fundraise for, and then build a new school in the mountains of Skrapar. The driving force behind the project was Donald Dervishi, a 32-year-old teacher and school director from Albania.
From the projects gofundme.com page:
Located in the mountainous municipality of Skrapar, Albania, a handful of students and their one teacher gather each day in a single-roomed building for their lessons. The school serves pupils of multiple ages, who come from their rural homes along well-worn paths to receive the same lessons from the national curriculum that students all around the country of Albania are receiving. However, they are not learning in the same quality environment. Their classroom has a wide open gap in the roof that requires holding an umbrella at the chalkboard and holes in the stone walls, which allows a biting wind to send shivers through the small group of children hunched over their studies.
The Director of several schools in the region and the classroom teacher promised the students they would rebuild the school as soon as the funds became available. Their single, determined goal is to provide for the children a safer, healthier environment. The amount needed, approximately 3,000 euros, is almost an entire year of a teacher’s salary and more than any of the children have seen at one time. In a desperate attempt to start the fundraising, the Director and the teacher went on national television, on an almost impossible-to-win quiz show, and won almost half of what was required to start construction. This fundraiser is an attempt to raise the remaining funds and allow for additional costs of school supplies.
They reached their target, the school was built, and lessons have commenced as of this term, but Donald’s mission is far from over. He has expressed a dedication to continuing his work in building networks around Europe that will support his efforts to reconstruct and rehabilitate schools in Albania, thus having a positive impact on the country as a whole.
“Teachers and colleagues in Albania should look at things differently- a teacher is not just about getting a degree or receiving a salary at the end of the month- you have a wider mission.”
The European Citizenship Awards 2018 is a joint initiative between the European Civic Forum and Volonteurope, two European networks which promote active citizenship and recognition of the importance of social justice to the cohesion of communities across Europe. The Awards celebrate the democratic and civic engagement of individuals, organisations, citizens’ groups and social enterprises. They recognise innovative initiatives and contributions which give real substance to European values, create ownership of public space and improve the lives of their communities in terms of democracy, social justice and universal access to rights.
Donald is now a contender for the European Citizenship Awards under the “Volunteer of the Year” category. Votes will close on Monday 5th of November at 23:59pm so please, please cast your votes now.
The world Donald and his team have undertaken is truly exemplary and shows a true dedication to education, the community, and his country. By using his own initiative to raise money and then to build a new school from scratch, Donald has demonstrated that literally, anything is possible. Whilst Donald received praise in the local press, it is my belief that he should be recognised internationally for his contributions to Albania and everyone that makes up its community.
Cast your vote for Donald Dervishi, here.
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