Vocational training courses help the disabled find jobs in Kosovo

Finding a job in Kosovo, where the unemployment rate is around 70 per cent, is not easy for anyone. For the disabled, who are often marginalized, it's especially tough.

But thanks to a vocational training programme for people with disabilities, supported by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, five out of 29 participants have so far found jobs with Banka Ekonomike offices in different parts of Kosovo.

"This comes as a breath of fresh air to us," says Agim Vetovci, Director of the Handicapped and Disabled Peoples' Association (HDPA), a local non-governmental organization. "Bearing in mind the general negative perception of people with disabilities and the unemployment rate in Kosovo, this is indeed good news."

Valbona Sahiti, 32, comes from the village of Henc, some 25 km east of Prishtine/Pristina. She is a person of short stature.

After taking part in the vocational training, Valbona started work at Banka Ekonomike's headquarters in the capital as a data entry clerk in the accounting office on 24 September.

Using one's intellect

Prior to getting this job, she worked in a restaurant kitchen, but says that it was very hard given her physical disability. "Now I can use my intellect to do my job," she says.

Valbona was one of nine participants who took part in two out of three courses (computing and English) provided by the training programme. The computer course attracted 15 participants and the English course 11, while another 12 took part in the hairdressing course.

The aim of the programme was to equip people with disabilities with marketable skills that will enable them to find jobs, to integrate into local communities, and to feel and be recognized as equal members of society.

Presenting diplomas to the participants in a ceremony at the Mission's headquarters in Prishtine/Pristina on 15 June, the former Head of Mission, Ambassador Werner Wnendt, noted that the OSCE has the obligation to work for a more inclusive society.

"I am happy that we are meeting some of our objectives in helping handicapped and persons with disabilities in Kosovo," he said.

Sense of independence

The initiative to organize the courses came from the HDPA. "These courses are extremely important, since they give people with disabilities a sense of independence and the ability to contribute to society," says Vetovci, who is himself disabled.

Another course participant, 39-year-old Mehmet Kastrati from Poluze village in Gllogoc/Glogovac municipality, now works side by side with Valbona.

"I feel much more useful to my family and to society as well," says Mehmet, who is now able to support his elderly mother. He is her only relative.

Three other computer and English course participants also now work as cashiers at Bank Ekonomike branches in Gjilan/Gnjilane, Kamenice/Kamenica and Fushe Kosove/Kosovo Polje.

Combating discrimination

According to HDPA statistics, there are 18,760 people in Kosovo born with disabilities. More than 500 have problems with dystrophy or are of short stature, and almost all of them have experienced discrimination in education, employment or provision of medical services.

As part of the Mission's efforts to promote the principles of non-discrimination and equality, it has also supported the drafting and implementation of the Anti-Discrimination Law, and the organization of Disabilities Mentoring Days in eight municipalities.

Plans for 2008 include providing further support for the vocational training programmes and continuing to assist government officials with applying anti-discrimination legislation in their day-to-day work.

"We hope that these activities will improve the very weak communications between people with disabilities and Kosovo officials, and that more positive action will be taken by the government to ensure full integration," says the HDPA's Vetovci.