Eight Thousand Albanian Students Building Businesses at
their Schools
All over Albania students have started up fast food services,
travel agencies and entertainment companies. They have
organized lotteries, shows, concerts and sold newspapers,
CD’s, jewelry and T-shirts that are designed and
made by themselves. They are learning how to run a business
and how to make money.
The USAID-funded Foundation for Economic Education of Youth
(FEEY) is teaching students how to create and run a business.
Through the Junior Achievement Student Companies Program,
students are getting the opportunity to actually build their
own company with the support of the schools and FEEY.
The program has become one of the most successful FEEY programs.
Beginning in 1998, 1,000 students in Albania participated
in the program. It has expanded to 8,000 within the age group
of 16 to 18/19 in 65 high-schools in 18 of the 36 separate
districts. Never before have they used sales reports, stockholder
certificates, minutes sheets or production slips. Never have
they had the chance to come together as a group to learn
about work ethics, payment of taxes, and marketing research.
FEEY is inspiring the students to be the future entrepreneurs
of the country.
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| Students in Albania
who started a fast food business |
| |
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| Fast Food |
Students have three to four months to build up a business
before they close down at the end of the school year. Trained
economics teachers at each school begin by assisting them
in forming a business directorate complete with President,
Vice President and Secretary. They then conduct market research
studies, which help them to decide on the product or service
to sell. They put together a business plan, go out into the
community, advertise their product and/or service and start
selling.
“There has not been a loss in any of the student companies,” proudly
explains Lejda Matja, director of FEEY. Money to start up
the company is earned by selling a maximum of five stocks
to individuals or other companies with a value of 200 leke
each ($1.50). Gains on stocks range from 20% to 400%. After
the three or four months, the students have enough money
to pay the small salaries to their staff, plus the obligated
tax to the school.
“I gained an experience that will change and influence
my entire life,” says Anjel Harizi, high-school student.
“As the finance officer of our company, I had to pay
attention to every detail. I tried to be transparent and
provide accurate financial documents to the stock holders.
It was not easy,” says Elvana.
“By being part of this program, I learned that having
a business is very interesting, but requires a lot of hard
work, imagination, initiative and strict ethical standards.
I am now really motivated to create my own business - the
right way,” expresses Ama Dhembi, another high-school
student.
Maybe this does not seem so strange to those of you reading
this article, but for a society that did not allow private
ownership of property or business this is a major accomplishment.
Albania started on its path towards creating a democracy
only thirteen years ago. For forty-five years the people
were ruled by a very strict communist regime run by one man
named Enver Hoxha. He controlled all forms of life; what
people read, where they worked and who would go to university.
The people lived behind an “iron curtain,” where
no one got out and few were allowed in. In return, everyone
received free housing, electricity and water, public transportation,
medical care and job security, but if citizens disagreed
with the way things were run, they were placed into labor
camps or into jail.
Today, people are free. There is freedom of speech, movement,
and the ability to pursue their dreams. They are starting
up their own companies and saving money for future investments.
However, few have the education or training in modern business
practices and are struggling to compete in the world market.
Most have never filled out a financial report, completed
a market study or paid taxes. Corruption is a big problem
and many businessmen are paying bribes to public officials,
selling expired goods to the public and/or dealing with illegal
substances.
In a country that is in transition from an oppressive communist
system to a democratic one, programs that teach the next
generation to be the future businessmen of Albania are essential. “We
are changing a culture,” says Lejda Matja. Today, 8000
students are working together and are proving to be strong
leaders as they strive to create a better Albania for themselves
and others.
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