Since 2004 MaK has organised a summer school led by highly experienced teachers in schools local to the Manchester Peace Park in Kosovo. In 2011 500 children participated in a 3 week programme. We include art, sport, drama, games and encourage increased awareness of the Peace Park environment. Primarily we want the children to be happy and to have fun. Watch the stunning outcome of actors from Chickenshed inclusive theatre company volunteering to support MaK’s 2012 Summer Club for one week. In 2013 the most diverse team MaK has taken to Kosovo led a programme full of challenges, excitement and achievement, whilst working alongside superb young leaders from Podujeva and Prishtina.
In 2011 MaK was also asked to co-lead a Peace Camp for Podujeva’s young people and supported a further Peace Camp and English course for children in 2012.
We work with museums and the media.
Imperial War Museum North, Manchester
MaK worked with schools which received evacuated children in the UK.
Through our IT programme, we now support Podujeva in Kosova, equipping schools with computers and providing teacher training. Through the immense generosity of donors, and the skill, dedication and belief of our volunteers, in June 2010 MaK equipped 3 secondary schools, 2 primary schools and a rehabilitation centre for disabled citizens in Podujeva, Kosovo with computers. This endeavour will make a difference to approximately 10,000 students and 900 disabled citizens in one academic year alone. A second installation programme involving seven more schools was completed in 2012.
We arrange residencies and training programmes to increase skill and raise leadership potential.
We are building the Manchester Peace Park in Podujeva, Kosovo with the local Municipality, to provide a resource for the community for recreation, rehabilitation and education. We have created a garden for reflection and a central arena for meetings and performance. We have built play areas for children and want to create sports pitches for all ages. With the Eden Project we are developing a horticultural programme for Peace Park staff.
MaK supports the introduction of a focus on wild life and ecology in schools
In 2011 young wildlife photographer Matt Hamilton captured what was going on in the Peace Park garden, the Park woodland and surrounding Podujeva countryside. He enjoyed presenting his film showing the abundance of river life at the end of his garden, to children in Podujeva schools. Matt will help develop MaK’s work in education and ecology.
Summer Children’s Club – a volunteer’s summary
“Every year MAK hosts a summer club for children between the ages of 4-13 in Podujevo, Kosovo. Prior to MAK’s arrival flyers announcing the club are posted around town. In response, 80-100 children descend each day on the approximately 11 frazzled, British volunteers.The volunteers are an eclectic collection of skilled and experienced British teachers, university students, ecologists, artists, curious travellers and die-hard Kosovo enthusiasts.Individuals in this peculiar group throw their varying skills onto the table and collectively weave together an educational and fun programme for the overly excited attendees.Craft supplies, hauled over in volunteers suitcases, are transformed into rare and precious gems by the wide-eyed stares of the little participants who have not had access to the wonderful world of googly eyes and fuchsia feathers. Foam bats and bases contest for “national sport” commodities as Rounders, this new and wondrous game gets introduced. Previously unnoticed native flora and fauna acquire many a protector as ecology and environmental protection is brought to life in a creative manner. Kosovar Shakespeares, Chanels and George Clooneys vie for centre stage attention during poetry, costume and drama contests.The summer club is magic, for participants and volunteers alike.”
Mireille Gomes (Ph. D candidate, Oxford University) Volunteer Summer club leader 2009.
Mireille went on to become MaK IT Project Leader and MaK Secretary 2010-2012. In 2013 she was invited to be the third patron of MaK. She works in e-health.
MaK is extremely grateful for generous support for its educational programmes from MPM Charitable Trust.
