At the conclusion of the national campaign to raise awareness against human trafficking, the youth of Bulqiza delivered powerful messages in the city center through a flash mob, denouncing this phenomenon.
The event captured the attention of the city, generating positive energy within the community that closely followed the choreography of the young people.
The event was attended by Festime Mjeshtri, the mayor, Mr. James Mogridge, the second secretary of the United Kingdom in Albania, Mr. Roberto De Bernardi, the representatives of UNICEF in Albania, and Mrs. Enkelejda Kallçiu, the head of the County Office. Afterward, the participants had the opportunity to inaugurate the newly constructed multifunctional community center in Bulqiza. In her speech, the mayor of Bulqiza, Mrs. Festime Mjeshtri, expressed her gratitude for the attention being given to her city through the establishment of new preventive services against human trafficking.
"Anyone can be a victim of trafficking, so it is important for Bulqiza, even though it is a small municipality, to receive more attention from partners such as UNICEF Albania, Terre des hommes and the British Embassy. Thanks to this support, I am confident that Bulqiza has embarked on a beautiful journey with the implementation of projects."
Terre des hommes, as one of the partners implementing the program "πππππ ππππππ‘πππ ππ π‘βπ πππ‘πππππ π ππ ππππ π π‘π π»π’πππ πππππππππππ ππ πππ ππππ π΄ππππππ", led by UNICEF Albania and supported by the British Embassy Tirana, enabled the opening of this new multifunctional community center in Bulqiza. The Second Secretary of the United Kingdom in Albania, Mr. James Mogridge, expressed his satisfaction with the milestone placed in this municipality thanks to the financial support of the UK government:
"I express my gratitude to UNICEF and Tdh for their tireless efforts in combating human trafficking. We are aware that continuous efforts, in cooperation with the local stakeholders in Albania, are necessary in the fight against this phenomenon. I am very happy that we are celebrating together this important milestone set by the United Kingdom, which will provide more opportunities for children and families in Bulqiza."
The head of the Tdh Country Office, Mrs. Enkelejda Kallçiu, emphasized the importance of these services as an additional opportunity for the city's community.
"We, at Terre des hommes, believe that change begins with groups of young people who are supported through the services offered by this center. You should view this center as a focal point for providing the community with more opportunities. This will be achieved through the various activities and topics that will be addressed. We are very satisfied with the cooperation we have had so far with the municipality of Bulqiza. This cooperation has opened the door to new services that will be offered in this center."
Underlining the word "opportunity" mentioned in the speech of the head of the National Office of Tdh, Mr. Roberto de Bernardi, the representative of Unicef in Albania, emphasized that access to new opportunities is the best response to trafficking.
"I would like to echo a word mentioned by the director of Tdh during her speech, and this word is OPPORTUNITY. This center will create more opportunities for the Bulqiza community. Access to these opportunities is the most effective way to combat human trafficking. We are on a good path. Now, the challenge is to maintain the momentum and keep the center alive with activities."
During the visit to the center, the participants had the opportunity to engage in an activity led by young people who have been trained through the "You Create" methodology.
The visit to Bulqiza concluded with a coordination meeting at the mayor's office, attended by local authorities and project implementing partners in the municipality of Bulqiza. The purpose of the meeting was to ensure cooperation at the local level and to respond jointly and proactively to any challenges that may arise.
