For Elsa Osmani of Pristina, participation in her high school’s theatrical performance, “Bullying and Harassment at School,” was a personal story. She was a victim of bullying in elementary school. “I was targeted by many groups based on my height, weight, and appearance. This whole situation had me feeling lonely with no support.”
Elsa’s school, Sami Frasheri, started a “Justice Club” this year to empower youth with the knowledge to solve injustices like the one Elsa faced. With assistance from USAID, Justice Clubs were set up in seven high schools across seven municipalities in Kosovo. They invited a range of justice service providers to hold information sessions for the students to teach them about justice issues and discuss their roles and responsibilities as legal professionals. To make sure the students understood the practical implications of the issues, the Justice Clubs included an innovative, experiential learning component: theatrical plays that explore what they have learned through storytelling and acting. The plays were interactive with the audiences – teachers, parents, and other students – and were designed to educate them, too.
Playing the part of another student who protects the victim in her school’s play, Elsa acted out what can be done in a situation like the one she had experienced. Thanks to the Justice Club’s information sessions, she knew all about the public and institutional services available to schools, parents, and students when a case of bullying occurs. Besarta Murtezaj Bujupi, a high school teacher at Sami Frasheri and the mentor of Elsa’s Justice Club, said that the club members, “now have a clear view of their rights without any further doubts to services and support available to them.” She added that the clubs were informative for her, too. “I have personally and professionally gained more knowledge on the topic and how to react in future situations.”
The Justice Clubs are a part of USAID’s Justice Activity, which empowers youth with skills to stand up for their rights and share their knowledge on how to take action with others.
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