Congressional Staffers Gain New Perspective on Kosovo’s Progress
Eleven U.S. Congressional staff members visited Kosovo February 24-25, 2005 as part of a study tour organized by the Balkans Trust for Democracy/German Marshall Fund. Staffers were briefed on Kosovo issues by Chief of Mission Phil Goldberg and USAID Mission Director Ken Yamashita and traveled to several Kosovo regions where they spoke one-on-one with community representatives and leaders of various civil society organizations about the challenges and issues they face.
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| (From left) USAID’s Ken Yamashita and Stephen Schatz, from U.S. Congressman Dan Burton’s (IN) office, congratulate Mayor Haxhijaha on the new water system. |
A highlight of the visit was a dedication ceremony for a new water and sewer system in Xërxe/Zrze, a mixed Albanian and Roma Kosovar community in Rahovec/Orahovac Municipality. The delegation joined community elders, Community Working Group members, local officials, teachers and students in celebrating this achievement, accomplished in cooperation with USAID’s Municipal Infrastructure and Support Initiative (MISI) and implemented by Mercy Corps. MISI is designed to assist communities and improve conditions for returns and reintegration of minorities through cooperative efforts of ethnic groups. The Xërxe/Zrze water and sewer system is among the largest of the 42 projects under its purview.
This collaborative effort was led by a Community Working Group which bridged an ethnic divide and linked village and municipal officials in order to solve a public health hazard. Assisted by MISI, the Community Working Group advocated for building a cover sewer system—a €115,000 project—and received €35,900 euros from the municipal budget and €28,000 euros from USAID. The remaining funds were raised directly from the Xërxe/Zrze community.
At the ceremony, Ken Yamashita, USAID/Kosovo Mission Director noted, “Achievements can be made through a joint effort, and the joint work of different ethnic groups creates peace and harmony."
Stephen Schatz, a visiting member of U.S. Congressman Dan Burton’s (IN) office, agreed. “When local residents can solve problems by working together, they are on the path of peace and secure future.”
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