SHUKALB’s “Friends of Water” Program Brings Sincere Messages on Water From Children

SHUKALB has finalized one of its most loved public outreach and education programs, the “Friends of Water” Program.  The program is dedicated to 3^rd grade students of elementary schools, and SHUKALB has been organizing it each year since 2007, in partnership under a formal MoU with the Ministry of Education and Sports.

This year the program reached out to a total of 26 municipalities across Albania, involving the respective member water utilities of SHUKALB, 66 elementary schools, and 2409 children.  The implementation of the program for 26 elementary schools in the Municipalities of Tropoje, Diber, Klos Himare, Dimal and Devoll, was supported by the “Accompanying Measures Rural Water Supply III” Program, funded by the German Development Bank KfW and the Albanian Development Fund, while for the rest of the municipalities the program was supported by SHUKALB’s budget.

During November 2021, the elementary schools participating in the Program, organized local exhibitions in their cities, where children presented their drawings highlighting the importance of water and the protection of water resources.

SHUKALB participated in the local exhibitions organized in the Municipalities of Tropoja, Diber, Klos, Himara, Dimal and Devoll. The local exhibitions were attended also from representatives of the Albanian Development Fund, Mayors and representatives of the respective Municipalities, directors and representatives of the respective water utilities, and representatives of the schools and regional directorates of education.

As usual, the “Friends of Water” program culminated with the Children’s Exhibition “Water Through the Eyes of Children”, organized and opened for the public on 1-3 December at the FAB Gallery, in Tirana. The Exhibition this year presented in total 166 drawings of 3^rd grade students from 26 cities across Albania. Prior to opening the Exhibition, SHUKALB had arranged for an independent evaluation committee, composed by artists and professors from the Academy of Arts in Tirana. The Commission selected the 12 best drawings, based on the messages each of them conveyed.

The Exhibition was officially opened on 3 December 2021, with greeting remarks by Nina Guga, Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, who appraised the long and fruitful collaboration with SHUKALB in the implementation of such important programs for the education and awareness of children, with a very significant impact on our society.

The ceremony continued with a speech by Petrit Tare, President of SHUKALB who thanked the supporters of the program, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the German Development Bank KfW and the Albanian Development Fund, as well as the participating schools, for the dedication and the work done by teachers and students.

As the main supporters of the program this year, the representative of Albanian Development Fund at the ceremony, Avni Dervishi, highlighted also the importance and impact of such programs, along with the need for investments in the water sector, as a way to guarantee sustainability of water services.  Present at the ceremony were also Herrie Heckman, “Accompanying Measures Rural Water Supply III” Program; Avni Dervishi, and Zef Maçi, Member of Board of Directors of SHUKALB and Director of Lezha Water Supply and Sewerage Company, as well representatives of the participating schools and water utilities.

At the end, Elisabeta Poçi, Executive Director of SHUKALB announced the 12 winners of the program, which are:

• Keida Deda, School: “Marie Kaçulini”, Durres
• Kejsi Flutoraku, School: “Neim Babameto”, Durres
• Vladimir Prrocka, School: “Branko Kadia”, Shkoder
• Bianta Shqipe, School: “Asllan Shahini”, Gramsh
• Leonis Tarelli, School: “Banush Tarelli”, Braçan
• Rigers Ndreu, School: “Ardian Klosi”, Tirane
• Kristi Çela, School: “Kongresi i Lushnjes”, Lushnje
• Senea Sharka, School: “Kongresi i Lushnjes”, Lushnje
• Noel Mëhillaj, School: “28 Nentori”, Vlore
• Armela Sinani, School: “Foto Puka”, Lushnje
• Bianka Korance, School: “Myredin Bashalli”, Lin, Pogradec
• Evelin Topulli, School: “Naim Frasheri”, Gjirokaster

The 12 winners were officially recognized receiving certificates with the “Friends of Water” award. In addition, SHUKALB gifted an encyclopedia to each of the 12 little artists. The twelve winning drawings will be the basis for the 2022 calendar to be developed by SHUKALB, and to be further distributed by the water utilities, as a way to further raise the awareness across the country regarding the importance of water issues. If you would like to order these calendars, you may reach out to SHUKALB at program@shukalb.al.[:]