Tungjatjeta from Kosovo

Name: Kreshnik Kaçaniku

Nationality: Albanian from Kosova

GYV Staff/ Participant during: P ’03

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from from Royal University of Illyria

Occupation: Banker

Most Interesting Country Visited: Egypt (before revolution) can’t wait to go there again now after revolution and see the changes (hope so)

Favorite GYV Memory: Hmmm… there are simply too many.  I have to say that GYV was really special for me, every single day was special there but I can mention  that our peace building workshop was amazing. Our instructor Cloe Liparini was great. Cultural nights were awesome.

Volunteer/Civic Engagement Activities since Global Youth Village: I’ve worked  with a local NGO and occasionally volunteer as a judge for our high school debate team.

Biography: I was born and raised in Mitrovica a city in north of Kosovo. We had a terrible war in 1999.  The war has affected us a lot because we didn’t have the chance like other families to escape and go to neighboring countries.  Our houses were robbed and burned. The Serbs made us walk from our city which is in north to the south-east city on the border with Albania; they used the whole city a human shield so  NATO wouldn’t bomb them. We survived on onions and  whatever we could find along the way.

I’ve finished high school here and then moved to Prishtina (the capital) for 3 years to finish university. After that I was employed at a local bank and from then I work there as Client Adviser. I’ve tried to be an active member of society.  I enjoy hiking, rollerblading, mountain biking , watching movies and taking photos as an amateur.  I had a lot of prejudice towards certain people groups before I came to GYV but  I changed.  At GYV, I  learned not to hate, not to be prejudiced. I learned to love people for who they are.

Letters from Iraq

About 200 Iraqi youth have attended Global Youth Village since 2008.  Last week, the last remaining American troops left Iraq. How will their departure affect the situation in Iraq? What are things like on the ground now? Read letters from our  2011 Iraqi alums for some answers; they  reflect personal opinions from various parts of the country and the writers’ names have been withheld.

Young man from Baghdad:

” For the past two years, we haven’t been seeing American soldiers  in the streets.  The average Iraqi citizen in the street will not notice that the soldiers have left.  Security is generally in the hands of the Iraqi forces these days so I don’t think that there will be a lot of changes in security. Compared to three years ago, things in general are better. The recent bomb blasts are creepy.  Every time a bomb goes off we race to the phone to call our family members and make sure that everyone is OK.”

Young woman from Basra:

“I don’t have strong feelings about the troops leaving or staying.  The future of Iraq doesn’t depend on their presence or departure.  Iraq’s issues stem from our messed up government.”

A man from Anbar:

“I’m partially happy that the troops are leaving  because we are going to have our freedom back and our army will have a chance to take responsibility.  However, our army may not yet be to handle security.  I am afraid that the country will be divided or it will be controlled by Iran. The P.M. of Iraq is merely a toy in the hands of the Iranian government. The security situation is deteriorating.  Last week we had some kidnappings and assassinations along with explosions and bombings.  Around  250 people have been killed. My cousin decide to leave his school in Baghdad because three of his friends were kidnapped on Thursday because they are Sunni. Nobody knows where they are.   A professor from Baghdad university/ college of law was murdered last week too so it looks like we’re headed into a civil war.  This time, we will have no US troops to protect the civilians and to take  weapons away from the militias.“

Young woman from Hilla:

“I have mixed feelings about the situation in Iraq.  I’m happy for the American troops because they will go back to their families; they have suffered a lot. I’m sad because I don’t think that my  country can protect itself and our future is probably better with the American troops here. The security situation will become worse because our soldiers don’t honor their profession and if they receive bribes they will not pay attention to the country’s security.  In general, the  Americans soldiers carry out their duties loyally and faithfully compared to the Iraqi ones.”

Young man from Baghdad:

“I  feel very bad because the American soldiers were protecting us and their departure was premature.  We don’t have a strong army yet.  Iraq’s future would have been  brighter and better with American troops because of our army is not ready to protect  us and defeat the terrorists from other countries. I plead with the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad to work harder and process our papers. We are waiting for our U.S. visas and are receiving threats.”

Young man from Kurdistan (Northern Iraq):

“Currently our country is on the brink of a civil war – the Vice President has fled to the North (to Kurdistan where I am living) because he’s been accused of leading terrorist operations. A wave of bombings was targeted at Baghdad, the capital, along with the other southern cities right after the U.S troops left. Iran is also making things worse by interfering in our politics. The Iranian government, which is composed of the Shiites, supports Nuri Maliki who is now seen by the Sunnis as a dictator.  To sum it all up up: things do not look good. I am just hoping that things get better – especially in the South, where so many are dying due to lack of security.”

Young Iraqis and Americans build strong ties of friendship

Crossing Cultures

This year  at our international summer camp, we are offering two sessions of  in-depth Cultural  Immersion programs for US and international youths, 14-18 years old.

Crossing Cultures Program

June 24-July 16

Hip Hop Dance Workshop

This option spans the 9-day Indonesian/US program and the 11-day Peace Building Program plus it includes 3 days of touring and service projects in Southwest Virginia. Become a true global citizen as you “travel” and make friends from Indonesia, the Near East, Europe and the U.S.  Develop your leadership skills with our highly qualified instructors. Each session offers new activities and themes.  Diving in more depth will result in a more profound experience and deeper skill development.

Community Involvement Program

July 19-August 4

Engage with Iraqi and other international youth for a dynamic 11-day Peace Building Program, including interactive workshops in dialogue, the arts and environmental action.  Get leadership training and use your new skills during the program.  Then enjoy 6 days focusing on Community Involvement through our summer service program with  agencies in Southwest Virginia and Washington DC.    Receive advocacy training, roll up your sleeves for some local service work, and meet with community leaders and organizations addressing issues of hunger, environmental justice, affordable housing, civic engagement, healthcare and criminal justice reform.

• Dates for U.S. and International youths: June 24-July 16 and July 19-August 4
• Dates for internationals: June 24-July 16 and July 17-August 4     
• Age: 14-18 years old (rising 9th-12 grades)
• Tuition for 22-day program: (includes room & board): $2,600
• Tuition for 17-day program: $2,600

Internationals: see Application for tuition rates.

To apply for Crossing Cultures Programs – 22 and 17-day programs - APPLY NOW

Global Friendships

9-day Indonesia-US Exchange Program

June 24-July 3

Have you ever met an Indonesian? If not, meet several passionate and dynamic ones this summer and discover what you have in common with people from halfway around the world. Share what is important to you and what you do for fun. In morning workshops, explore global environmental issues, discuss the basic principles of different faiths, and determine ways to encourage community involvement through volunteerism.

• Dates: June 24-July 3
• Youth: 16 Indonesian youth and 20 American youth
• Age: For those entering 9th-12th grade (ages 13-18)
• Scholarship: Indonesian teens sponsored by US Department of State
• Tuition: $1000  for all youths APPLY NOW

11-day Peace-Building programs

July 6-July 16 & July 19-29

Join young Iraqis intent on re-building their futures for this unique program.  Gain skills in listening, prejudice reduction, conflict management, creative thinking and problem solving during the peace-building/dialogue workshop.   Choose a second morning workshop focused on the arts or environmental action.   Enjoy soccer,  pottery, yoga, badminton, volleyball, swimming, basketball, ping-pong, rock climbing and many other activities and bond through afternoon and evening events. 

• Dates: July 6-16 and July 19-29
• Youth: 30 Iraqi youth, 20 US  and other internationals
• Age: For those entering 10th-12th grade (ages 14-18)
• Scholarship: Iraqi teens sponsored by US Department of State
• Tuition: $1,200  for all youths APPLY NOW

Interested in our longer in-depth programs?   Learn more about our Crossing Cultures Programs,  June 24-July 16 and July 19-August 4.

A Typical Day at the Village!

It’s 7 AM and the birds have been singing outside the cabin window for a while now.  You’re a bit tired because you’ve been up half the night cracking up about a funny performance you saw last night during the evening programs. Your friendly cabin counselor is already up and encourages everyone to start making their way to the bathhouse. Forty-five minutes later, you and your new Iraqi, Indonesian and German friends are heading down the hill for a tasty pancake breakfast. Yum!

In your peace-building workshop today, you are practicing mediation techniques and learning how to improve your listening skills.  You are amazed at how much you learn each day.  The facilitator is never boring and she is always using fun teaching methods like games and simulations.  You are beginning to understand what leadership is all about and you get lots of opportunities to practice being a leader.

Time flies when you’re having fun because it’s already lunchtime! A traditional Indonesian dish, gado gado,  is being served for lunch.  You’re still getting used to the vegetarian meals and discovering that they are pretty good.

After lunch, you unwind in your cabin and listen to your i-Pod for a bit.  Next, it’s time for electives. This session, yoga, rock-climbing, African dance and pottery are some of the electives being offered. You can’t wait to try pottery for the first time!!! At 4:15, the camp store opens and everyone can help themselves to an organic cold drink, chips or an ice-cream. Just what you need to cool off on a hot summer day. You sit next to your new friend from France and ask him what typical school day is like and discover it’s a bit different from yours. It’s free-time now, so you choose to play ping-pong with another friend from Nigeria and you win! The daily schedule seems to offer a lot of variety.

At dinner time, you offer to teach the group how to say ‘Thank you’ in Chinese before the meal. You make it back up the hill for a rousing game of soccer before gathering time. This evening program is Wacky Olympics and the staff have put together a cool program: a watermelon eating contest, cracker-whistle game, bean-bag obstacle course and  a dress-up relay!  Your team loses the relay but wins the watermelon eating contest!!  It’s already 11 PM and time to head back to the cabins.  You’re tired but happy. It’s been another typical yet amazing day at the Global Youth Village!

Winter Rhapsody Soup!

During winter at Global Youth Village international summer program, our campus is  quiet and we are very busy planning for another great summer experience. A fun winter activity is making a hearty soup and we have a simple recipe we want to share. In keeping in line with GYV tradition, the winter rhapsody soup is vegetarian!

No one expects beet soup to possess a touch of magic. But this kettle boasts of sorcery with its rich, compelling flavors and impressive appearance. While most beet soups are a dull shade of burgundy, this one is almost alive with its brilliant magenta color. Prepare the soup a day ahead, and the flavors will blossom.

For a dazzling presentation, bring the soup to the table in a tureen along with some dill weed for extra garnish, and serve it in white or ivory-colored bowls.

WINTER RHAPSODY SOUP

Yield: 8 servings

• 2 pounds (1 kilo) or 3 to 4 medium beets, peeled and cut into eighths
• 4 cups (1 liter) water 1 1/2 pounds (680g) or 3 large Russet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into large chunks* 
3 1/2 cups (840 ml) water 
1/4 teaspoon salt 
2 large onions, cut into eighths 
1 pound (450g) carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks 
1/2 cup (120 ml) water 
1/4 cup (60 ml) plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice 
1/3 cup (80 ml) minced fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill weed 
1 1/4 teaspoons salt 
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

1. Place the beets in a 4-quart (4 liter) saucepan with the 4 cups (1 liter) water. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn the heat down to medium and simmer about 20 to 25 minutes or until the beets are fork tender.
2. Combine the potatoes, water, and salt in a 3-quart (3 liter) saucepan, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn the heat down to medium, and cook about 6 to 10 minutes, or until they are fork tender.
3. Put the onions and carrots into a food processor and pulse-chop until they are finely diced. Transfer them to a large skillet or wok and add the 1/2 cup (120 ml) water. Cook over high heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 to 6 minutes, or until they are just tender, adding small amounts of water, if needed. Set aside.
4. Have a large stockpot ready. In batches, transfer the cooked beets and all their cooking liquid to the blender and puree until smooth. Return the pureed beets to the stockpot.
5. Puree the potatoes and their cooking liquid in the blender and add them to the stockpot.
6. Reserve 3/4 cup (180 ml) of the cooked carrot and onion mixture for garnish. Puree the remaining cooked carrots and onions, adding a small amount of water, if needed, and add it to the stockpot.
7. Add the lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper to the stockpot and simmer about 5 to 10 minutes to blend the flavors. Garnish each bowl with a spoonful of the reserved carrot and onion mixture and sprinkle with a smattering of chopped parsley.

*We specify Russet potatoes because they have an ideal toothy texture that gives this soup its special body.

NOTE: If the soup is too thick, thin it to your desired consistency with water and adjust the salt and lemon juice measurements.

From www.vegparadise.com

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