Pristina students carry out campaign against human trafficking

Students of the “Nazim Gafurri” school held an awareness-raising activity as part of the campaign against human trafficking. Through skits, dances, drawings and leaflets, the students conveyed powerful messages against human trafficking. They showed creativity, dedication and awareness of the importance of protection from this phenomenon.

Holistic education in Pristina is now giving more space to students and teachers to develop creative activities through which they convey powerful messages with the implementation of various campaigns. The latest was the campaign against human trafficking. The little ones, through skits, dances, drawings and leaflets, showed creativity, dedication and awareness of the importance of protection from this phenomenon. Teacher Gëzime Fejzullahu says that at the beginning of each year, a plan is made about how the school year will be. This included activities against human trafficking and against violence. 

"Usually at the beginning of each year we make a plan for the activities of the whole year and in each activity we have planned to do something related to violence within peers, but also outside of school. With this campaign on trafficking and violence as a school we thought of presenting the activity through art, song, ballet. It was a welcomed activity by the children, we also received ideas from them on how to implement it together with them and their parents. We have tried and prepared it with great desire", emphasized Fejzullahu.

The teacher said that practice always makes children learn more about the phenomena being treated, making it easier to convey the message.

"With positive messages we have tried to achieve the goal. We have shown them that any kind of violence and trafficking is not pleasure, but a problem. When the students come, we try to show them through various conversations what violence means and they have been interested in learning more", added Fejzullahu. 
She says that this activity is not the only one, such sensitive topics will be addressed with interesting activities and powerful messages. 
"The main part was given one day, but it will not end there. It will continue with many campaigns with older students, to give messages to young children and it will be throughout the year. The school has a team that deals with bullying and we try to activate children who have caused problems with activities such as drawings, so that they become aware of the violence they can exercise. I want to give a message to children: say no to violence, bullying, trafficking, because only then are we knowledgeable and know how to protect ourselves and others", emphasized Fejzullahu.

The children said that they constantly discuss these topics with their parents, but school activities make them understand more deeply what is not allowed and may be punishable by law. 

"We have prepared a dance, which is titled 'Stop Violence'. Violence is a serious problem that affects people's lives. Violence knows no age, no place, it happens anywhere and everywhere. Violence is prohibited by law and without peace and respect we have no progress. My father is a policeman and he has shown me what is prohibited and permitted. He, since I was little, has shown me that violence is against the law and is very harmful," said student Nart Hajdini.

They also learned that children are easily trafficked anywhere in the world and how to protect themselves in such cases when their safety is compromised.

"This campaign was my first time. We learned what human trafficking is, where dangerous people try to take or sell someone. I learned that trafficking is bad and it is a crime, it must be stopped as soon as possible, because many children around the world are in great danger. We learned that bad people ask about personal matters and that this should not happen," emphasized student Aria Kastrati. 

Student Hira Shabani also spoke about the activity.

"We have been told that trafficking is a major crime that mostly happens to children or young people. We have done activities and programs, we have talked about trafficking and how it happens in life. I have heard about it before and now I have learned more at school. My parents have also told me about this bad phenomenon. Trafficking happens on the internet when someone asks you about personal matters and we should not share our data with people we do not know," she said. 

Such activities in schools are of great importance because they help children better understand their rights, distinguish between forms of violence and trafficking, and learn ways of protection and prevention.