Tirana, 30 May 2014 – On the occasion of the International Children’s Day (1 June), the Children’s Human Rights Centre of Albania-CRCA, the Institute of Roma Culture in Albania-IRCA, activists, NGO’s, parents and family members of Roma and non-Roma children participated at the activity held at the “Bregu i Lumit” kindergarten. This kindergarten is one of the most collaborative and proactive actors of the initiative “Every Roma Child in the Kindergarten”, by integrating 11 Roma children of the Mini-municipality nr. 11 since the start of the programme.
This morning was a special day for more than 150 children, parents and educators of the “Bregu i Lumit” kindergarten, who in a beautiful event together with animators, had the opportunity to celebrate with dances, songs, poetry, and music, the International Children’s Day. Dressed in folkloric costumes from the Albanian regions they come from, children were greeted by the director, Mrs. Anila Xhaferri and the educators of the kindergarten that organized the event.
“Bregu i Lumit” kindergarten is a great example of collaborative and proactive institution that gives importance to inclusive education in Tirana. In this kindergarten 11 Roma children have been successfully integrated and are closely monitored in their attendance. The UNICEF initiative “Every Roma child in the kindergarten” supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Austrian Cooperation for Development and implemented by CRCA Albania, Observatory of Rights of Child and YWCA, aims to establish and support local networks in early childhood issues and the integration of Roma children in preschool.
The activity saw various moments where children sang, recited and exhibited the regional folk costumes that they had wore for that day. IRCA-Institute of Romani Culture participated in this event with a young Roma band from Durres who performed Roma music for the children. Moreover, young Roma activists played entertaining games and face-painted with the kindergarten’s children.
Mrs. Anila, director of the kindergarten during the event said “Early education has been identified as one of the main chances which need to be guaranteed to Roma children in order for them not to become subjects of social exclusion later on in their adult lives”. At the end, the director distributed certificates for the children who will attend the 1st class in the next academic year.
June 1, International Children’s Day is dedicated to the rights and protection of all children regardless of color, race, gender, age, ethnicity or religion. It was celebrated with various activities throughout Albania.
For more information, please contact:
Mersila Ballo
HRH, CRCA Shqipëri
Tel: 0694060392
E-mail: mersila.ballo@crca.al