Where there once was disrepair, there are now freshly painted walls, functional wheelchair ramps, and a usable outdoor space filled with a luscious garden and fire pit.
In the heart of Kosovo’s northern city of Mitrovica, at Se Bashku, a center for people with disabilities, Serve the City volunteers gathered from Dublin, Paris, and Maastricht. These individuals, led by Communitas field staff, Jay Benfante, came together to renovate the center, but their efforts went beyond that.
Serve the City aims higher than just the physical and aesthetic needs—they cultivated dignity and empowerment. At Se Bashku, individuals once seen as beneficiaries are now leaders and volunteers themselves.
Take Drita, a quiet leader in the disabled community, who bridged language barriers and spearheaded clean-up projects with enthusiasm. She helped Jay interpret announcements to her non-English-speaking peers and led a project cleaning garbage at the center for people with Down Syndrome.
Then there’s Arben, whose creativity and dedication helped plan outdoor furniture for the center. He spent the weekend engaging with children, demonstrating that disability is no barrier to making a meaningful impact.
Fatmir, navigating life in a wheelchair, found a new purpose through volunteering. His joy and a newfound sense of belonging exemplify the transformative power of service.
As Jay reflected, “When I first started planning projects at the center, I had seen those at the center as needing help and I searched for opportunities to make a difference in their way of life, But now I see them as partners and co-laborers in doing good, as I should have in the beginning.”
In the words of 1 Corinthians 1:27, God uses the unexpected to reveal profound wisdom and strength. Whether strong or weak by societal standards, each person embodies God’s purpose and teaches us invaluable lessons about compassion and community.
Join us in this incredible journey of service and transformation. Your support can help us expand our reach and empower more communities worldwide. Contact Communitas to learn how you can be part of this life-changing work.
Together, let’s serve with purpose and serve with heart.
