After decades of conflict and hostility, the city of Mitrovica in Kosovo remains firmly divided. That is what makes the genuine, lasting friendship between a Kosovo Albanian and a Kosovo Serb so improbable and so inspiring.
Ardita Xhemajli, a Kosovo Albanian from South Mitrovica, and Milica Andric Rakic, a Kosovo Serb from the north recently told the story of how their relationship grew at a USAID-supported storytelling event in South Mitrovica. A room of 20 multiethnic activists and citizens from Kosovo attended.
The two got to know each other because Ardita was hired at New Social Initiative (NSI), a Kosovo Serb-led NGO in North Mitrovica, where Milica worked. Ardita saw working at NSI as a chance to forge connections with Kosovo Serbs and soon began to feel at ease: “I would walk around with my sister, and I didn’t have any problems speaking in the Albanian language. Once I started working at NSI, I got to meet new people and get to know life in north Mitrovica.”
Like Ardita, Milica believes that cross-ethnic cooperation benefits Kosovo society. She quickly took Ardita under her wing at NSI: “…I liked Ardita from the very first moment I met her. I could see how much potential she has…[and] decided to reach out and help her with everything that she needs assistance with. Over time, we also became very good friends.”
USAID and its partners share successful reconciliation stories like Ardita’s and Milica’s because they motivate others. The foundation for a more peaceful and inclusive society begins when individuals show the courage and willingness to look beyond prejudices and stereotypes to find common ground.
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