the kosovo crisis

The Gift of Freedom

by Alix de Mauny, CARE International press officer

baby
Sahide proudly cradles her 4-month-old son Glirim, who was born in Romania during the height of the crisis in Kosovo.
PRIZREN, Kosovo (December 20, 1999) -- Sahide Jashari, a 26-year-old ethnic Albanian, smiles as she cradles her 4-month-old son, Glirim. Her husband Ramiz is out gathering firewood in preparation for the harsh winter ahead. Their village of Duga lies high in the mountains of Kosovo's southern region of Prizren. Even in the best of times, reaching the village by the steep, deeply rutted road is a challenge. This year, as Sahide and her family seek to regroup and rebuild after a year of turmoil and destruction, they wonder how they will coup with the approaching snows of winter.

Sahide and her family returned to their home in August, after a year on the move. They were chased from their home in July 1998, after which they went from village to village, seeking shelter and safety. Eventually, they fled across the border to Macedonia to Stankovic II, a camp managed by CARE. From there, they went to Romania, where they stayed without charge in a hotel for three months.

To help get through the cold Balkan winter, CARE provided Sahide with a new roof, a stove and warm clothes.
"My son was born in Romania," says Sahide. "I named him 'Glirim,' which means freedom. I had no way of telling Ramiz he had a son, because he stayed in Kosovo during the war." Sahide's joy at finding her husband safe and sound upon her return was tempered by her shock at the destruction in the village. Almost all of the houses were damaged or destroyed - of 38 houses, only two still had roofs.

CARE is helping Sahide and her family to rebuild their lives again. As the winter approaches, the greatest need is for secure shelter to shield the family against the harsh Balkan winter. CARE has provided them with a roof, a stove and clothes to ensure that they stay warm and dry during the winter. Because the village is so remote and inaccessible, CARE also will provide them with enough basic food supplies, including oil and flour, to last until the Spring.

"We thought that our old life was over, and that we would have to start again from nothing," says Arife, Sahide's 56-year-old mother. "We didn't expect such help - that is why we are so happy now for all the help CARE continues to give us." CARE is helping thousands of families like Sahide's meet their immediate needs.

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