Angelina Jolie's Kosovo Journal - UNHCR

place. Apparently they are “Goodwill Leaders”, they are now working together. I
ask how they became community leaders. As I speak to them, I look at their
faces. They are good looking, weathered older men with a deep wisdom showing
in their eyes. They are built, as men are, when they have done physical labor
most of their lives. “Before the war there was no need for leaders, then after it
was scary. We wanted to stand up, and say we have to live together. We believe
there is no future if we don’t. We try hard to keep the peace in this area. They are
used to us now, but the first few months we had a lot of threats because we were
not willing to act against each other. We don’t hate. We have families, so we
have courage for them.”
From the international community we have had some help. We could use more,
we have project proposal like a playground. Our children are still playing on mud.
It would be good to have an organized place. We have formed a small football
team. All the boys are about 12 years old. “We went to practice on the south side
and no one could tell who was Serb – or Albanian. The boys played together”. He
paused “It was good.”
Sometimes when he speaks he looks up or at me or the other UNHCR staff, but
most of the time he looks at his hands. Both men seem to want to look out the
window or down at the table. They are very gracious and polite men. They thank
me for coming and listening. I thank them. What they are doing is the most
important thing. Men like these make peace possible.
UNHCR brought firewood. They made sure everything was distributed equally,
not just most vulnerable but something for all groups. A gesture that there is a
wish to help everyone. “We need to have assistance to reconstruct more homes
so people can return. We have over 1600 burned down houses. We know it is
important.”
I ask what is a specific thing that would help if I were to fund through UNHCR.
“We have started a youth center. But we could use much help. We don’t have
much.” ACTED, A French agency was here and did a lot of good, but the director
became sick and had to leave. UNHCR is now trying to pick up on the programs
to help find ways to continue them. The men didn’t know the program stopped
because Thierry (the director) was sick. They are told this. The men say they are
sorry, to please send their regards and to tell him they will never forget the he
gave them.
I want to learn “thank you”, but as I think that, I realize I will have to learn it in all
languages and God forbid I sat the wrong thing to the wrong person. “There was
a time not long ago you would be shot for that.” I think I’ll stick to smiling and
bowing my head, so not to disrespect anyone.
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