In Pristina, Special Needs Children Could Find Help in a Renewable Future

Autism creates lifelong challenges for children afflicted with this condition and the families who struggle to take care of them.  Children with autism, as with any special needs youngsters, face huge obstacles in nations like Kosovo.  Kosovar families already confront a hopeful but uncertain future, high unemployment, and limited economic opportunities.  Add a special needs child to the mix, and these families’ situations become even more dire:  Kosovo lacks the professionals necessary who can work with these children and help them contribute society.  Hope is underway, however; If one NGO can attain the funding it requires, the the future can only shine brighter for dozens of Kosovar children with autism--and in tandem they will grow and thrive in a school that could serve as a model for renewable energy.

The NGO United for Autism advocates for families in Kosovo (rural view from Prizren pictured above) who have children afflicted with this condition.  United for Autism works to integrate children with autism into normal everyday life.  The organization seeks to build or secure a facility that can accommodate about 50 children with autism; provide therapeutic activity for children with they goal to integrate them into public schools; and train educators and therapists on how to work with autistic children enrolled in public schools.

Currently autistic children cannot find treatment in Kosovo.  Few doctors have knowledge about autism; most parents are unaware of it and believe the condition will eventually disappear; and educators lack proper training.  Only one classroom in the entire country, located in Pristina, teaches children with autism, but it can only hold six pupils.

At present United for Autism is searching for donors and investors.  Plans for such a facility are still in development:  the organization seeks an acre of donated land or will retrofit a building that currently exists.  The plan, however, has another twist:  United for Autism’s Board wants the building powered by clean energy, specifically solar.  Photovoltaic panels will contribute heat to the school, and energy efficient building features will also help reduce heating costs during the brisk Kosovo winters.

The desire for a building electrified and heated by clean energy is a logical one when considering Kosovo’s location.  Landlocked, Kosovo is surrounded mostly by either hostile countries or neighbors who are preoccupied with their own economic challenges.  Kosovo’s economy is largely agricultural, and most farming is at the subsidence level.  Fossil fuels are relatively expensive for most Kosovar families, and many families in rural areas rely on wood for heat and cooking, which meanwhile depletes the country of its forest.

Nevertheless, Kosovo has much potential future in the clean energy sector.  Its population is has plenty of workers who are skilled and educated.  Meanwhile, investors see opportunities in having products like solar panels and wind turbines either manufactured or assembled in this nation of 2 million people due to competitive labor costs and the overall demand for energy.

Who knows, maybe one of the children who eventually attend United for Autism’s planned school will be so inspired that he or she becomes a talented and brilliant engineer.  Then the school will more than pay for itself, in good deeds and a contribution to society. United for Autism is currently looking for investors and donors.  If you are interested in learning more, please contact Urim Bexheti.