On 1 February 2009 the Learning Centers Network celebrated its first full year. The Network incorporated Balkan Sunflowers’ existing learning programs for very marginalized minority children in two Kosovo villages, Plemetina and Gracanica. In 2008, we opened three additional Centers – Fushe Kosove/Kosovo Polje (FKPLC) in March, the FKPLC Pre-School Center in June, and the Shtime Center in December. Daily attendance is now approximately 500 children. Balkan Sunflowers will open additional Centers as funding is found.
See our Learning Centers video.
The Learning Centers Network received a major grant from the Sunshine Lady Foundation, which enabled establishing the Network, securing the existence of our first two Centers, and opening the new Centers. The Sunshine Lady also offered a further matching grant, which with grants from of the following supporters, has secured our program in 2009. Since the Learning Centers Network began in February 2008 our Learning Centers children have benefitted from the support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Luxembourg Office, the Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust, the Kosovo Foundation for Open Society, the Playground, the Municipality of Prishtina, the Municipality of Shtime, Diakonia Austria, Rotsoord and Impulsis, KFOR, Hope and Aid Direct, and St. John’s Church and St. Mary’s Church in Nenagh, Ireland.
The centers include the following programs:
Pre-Primary School Program. The pre-primary activities include games and songs, learning letters and numbers, socializing, and beginning to be comfortable in the language spoken in school – which is often not the language the children speak at home. World-wide studies demonstrate that preschool and kindergarten programs significantly improve school success. For socially disadvantaged children, the potential benefit is profound.
Language Club. Games, songs, cartoons, exercises, reading, and conversation are all meant to help children become verbal in the language of their school. Children in the first two years of primary school take part in this program.
Homework Help. Children come every day to work through lessons, and learn the principles behind what they need to know in school. They receive personal help to do their homework. Children who are not ready for school are often quickly discouraged from attending, and will stop going in their first few grades. Homework help can be crucial in keeping them in school.
Tutoring. Youth who are in or have finished secondary school are trained and supported to work with the younger children. They learn teaching skills, become important contributors to the future of their communities, develop pride and group spirit, and are supported for their own school work with school books and a small monthly stipend.
Activities. Games, sports, arts, music are part of center activities – though the emphasis remains on school. Teens use space in some centers for after school programs. Centers can sponsor festivals for holidays, art exhibits, music and dance groups, for example.
Support. A snack or hot food is served daily to children, an important contribution to many whose families have very limited resources. Notebooks, pencils, and school books are provided to the children. BSF also funnels donated children’s clothing and shoes to kids in need.
Parenting. Centers hold regular parent meetings and life skills programs, particularly for parenting skills. Often, parents are married very young, have several children by the time they are 21, are unemployed and uneducated. Life skills can help them cope with raising a family, crucially supporting their children, and understanding why their children’s education is important to the children and to the future of their family.
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