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.

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.

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

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

 

Poetry for Peace

In honor of its 30^th anniversary Legacy has launched a Poetry for Peace campaign. In our Peacebuilding Programs, the young people discovered new ways of self-expression through the arts.   The authors’ identities have been concealed to insure safety and security – peace.

We will be featuring their poetry on our website so please enjoy. Sign up your email address (top right) to receive announcement of new posts via your email.

Poems from Global Youth Village Participants:

I believe peace will never be achieved

It is what the dead dream of

Last I heard of peace it fled with the truth, love, and ambition

I read of peace once alive even heard stories of its death

I believe peace is one with the sail and we can only pray.

I believe peace is dead, peace is gone

and all that remains are embers

yet

I live to create truth

I live to see beauty

live with faith that the dead leave echoes, and while

peace is only a word, it echoes of love

resonates with the soil in me

So if I can live these truths and hear these echoes;

Then can I now believe?

by RJ – USA

I believe peace will make my life still

no more hurt no more cry. Just try to chill

Truth is my life

I don’t believe in lies

So when you lie, just keep it inside.

I see beauty in this world Its beautiful.

Don’t hate your life, Its a miracle.

Young Man from Baghdad

I believe peace will make us closer

Make our diversities more similar

We can come together in harmony

Love, happiness, tranquility, freedom, peace.

Truth is a quest for those who persevere

An answer for those who wonder

An example for those who learn

The truth that is, was, and will be.

I see beauty in nature, the city

I see beauty in guns, in roses

I see beauty in one, in all

Beauty is that which resides in everything, hot and cold

Hameed  – USA

I see beauty in everything

good and bad

cuz everything has the chance to change.

Young woman – Iraq

I believe peace will bring together the most unforgiving societies into one.

Truth is understanding.

Sarah – USA

Peace will raise you up to the highest mountain top

and then fling you to the ground when it is lost

Peace will solve more problems than war.

Peace is a faith most important to humanity

that raises our consciousness.

Peace is my religion.

Liam – USA

We’re living in a peace camp for now

no one ever falls

cuz we’re together and holding hands

each and who ever breaks

they help him get up and rise

Since all the violence I’ve seen

I can’t believe where have I been

I wish that peace would be so true

and a thing that everyone has to know.

Young woman from Iraq

I believe peace will make better world

make better community

Truth is

Beauty of the heart

beauty of the loving family

power of the united family

united community

united people

Young man from Iraq