Across Kosovo, children and youth are returning safely to school.  Whether classes are in-person, virtual, or hybrid, children and youth have to navigate the new normal of going back to school during a global pandemic.  For those that are attending in-person classes, students are required to wear masks, maintain a safe distance, and wash their hands.  In preparation of these back-to-school changes, USAID, through its partnership with UNICEF, donated hygiene kits to 660 schools in all of Kosovo’s 38 municipalities and personal protective equipment against COVID-19 to more than 10,000 students and teachers throughout Kosovo.

On September 29, Acting Deputy Mission Director Ken Collins handed over packages of protective equipment to teachers and first-grade students from Gjilan and Shillova/Šilovo.  In Gjilan, he was joined by Mayor Haziri and the director, teachers, and first-graders from “Selami Hallaqi” elementary school.  Across Kosovo, 2,200 teachers and 7,700 first graders will receive protection kits from USAID’s partner UNICEF containing a face shield, masks, hand sanitizer, a noteback, and a backpack with messaging on how to prevent COVID-19.  Acting Deputy Mission Director Ken Collins also visited a Serbian-speaking school in Shillova/Šilovo to deliver the kits to students and teachers.

Acting Deputy Mission Director Ken Collins recognized the dedication and tireless work of the school directors and teachers, and acknowledged the challenges they face educating kids during a global pandemic.  “It is a big responsibility to educate the next generation, and a global pandemic does not make your job any easier.  Thank you, again, for your dedication and tireless work,” he stated during the hand over.

This assistance is part of a $1.6 million assistance package through USAID to support Kosovo in the fight against COVID-19 that included thousands of hygiene kits to health centers and Kosovo’s most vulnerable families across 38 municipalities, temperature scanners at eight of Kosovo’s ports of entry, including Pristina Airport, and laboratory equipment for testing with the PCR method.