Gordana - For You

"Prior to beginning their
LMT service in Kosovo, every
soldier must complete a special
course which will acquaint
them with the nature of the
work which awaits them. At
the same time, one could say
that LMTs are military units
that cannot work nor function
according to strict orders from
their superiors but are rather
based on guidelines. This is
because the duty, the mission,
of LMTs is to listen to what
people have to tell them." This
is how major Kurt Findels,
LMT commander of the Field
House in Rahovec, explained
the work and duties of his unit.
Indeed, the fact that during
their service in Kosovo this
team of eight soldiers does
not spend a single day in any
LMT Teams in Orahovac
of KFOR's military bases but are instead stationed in a
house only a few minutes away from the centre of town is
the best indicator of the unique nature of their work. When
we also consider the fact that this house has a 24 hours a
day, seven days a week walk in service for all civilians,
regardless who they are or what they come for, the motto
"We listen to You" rings very true. Another important aspect
of their work, according to major Findels, is that the LMT
soldiers always encourage people to direct their needs to
the proper institution or office. Whenever needed, LMT soldiers
help civilians in finding the proper contacts, and sometimes
even assist in setting up meetings with them. When
asked about the most common problems faced by people
from their AOR, major Findels quite happily says that nowadays,
interethnic problems are no longer the major concern
and have been surpassed by everyday problems such as
lack of electricity and water and such.
During our visit to this field house we also had the
chance to talk with Mr. Hilmi Shala, one of the permanently
hired translators of this unit, who explained that the house
has become an important link to all the inhabitants of
Rahovec. This is, according to him, what makes his job so
enjoyable, even though it is not always easy. He reminded
us that although he has regular working hours, he has to be
on call 24 hours a day as a translator due to the fact that
the house is open to all at
any time. "The inhabitants
of the area come to this
house for different reasons,
asking for assistance
in solving individual
and collective problems.
So far, I do not know a
single case of someone
being turned away."
Mr. Neki Kollari,
commander of the
Rahovec Fire Brigade,
had only words of
appraisal and gratitude for
the LMTs and their work.
As he told us, there are
countless occasions in
which the LMTs have
intermediated and served
as a bridge in offering
help and developing
cooperation between
KFOR and his fire
brigade. According to him,
the LMT's biggest achievement is that through
their work and dedication, they have managed
to develop strong bonds of friendship between
the local population and KFOR.
On the importance of the work of LMTs, we
also spoke to Mr. Naser Kastrati, Education
Official at the directorate of Education and
Culture in the Municipality of Peja. Although
kilometres away from our abovementioned
location, Mr. Kastrati also only had words of
appraisal for the LMT teams that are active in
this area. "Of course their way of working is
very good because you can never plan something
properly without first discussing and
analyzing it in detail. I might also add that this
way of working has made an impact on us as
a directorate and we have started to apply it
in our own communication with the students.
We have come to realise that it is only by listening
to their needs and problems that we
will be able to truly help them."