Children's Voices

“All children have dreams. I have many too. But what worries me more is to learn what life is.”
Ilda , 12 year old

"When I grow up I just want to work. My dream? I have no dreams”
Amarildo 10 year, car cleaner

“I have left school three years ago, because I have to work. When I grow up I would like to become a teacher”.
Erinda, 13 year old, working in the street

"My ideal school might be a school where teachers are fair to us"
Olsi, 11 year old

"If I was the leader of my country I would make the children’s lives better”
Albi, 16 year old

“I went to Greece with a man. In Greece he treated us very badly. He made me beg for money. I gave all the money to him. He used to hit me. I still have scars on my face from the beatings. We suffered a lot.”
14 year old boy, trafficking survivor, Tirana, Albania

"Children represent the future, so if their rights are respected we will have a better future"
Ingridi, 11 year old

"Trafficking affects us in terms of the economic situation here, which is really difficult… our parents struggle for us; they have difficulties we look outside for opportunities"
15 year old boy Youth center Cerrik

"The community is not organized. People should be more organized to raise their voice and ask for changes. Everyone talks for children’s rights but who actually cares. They do nothing about it. We organize community forums and debates to discuss these issues"
16 year old girl Youth Center Cerrik

"In Kucova, there are only a few opportunities to express talents and skills. The closed mentality makes it difficult to express who we are and what we are able to do"
15 year old girl, Youth member and peer-trainer, Kucova Youth Center

"Many kids here are at risk. No one supports them. Children here don’t have a place to ask for help"
14 year old girl, Youth Center, Cerrik

"Children with problems should be protected in order to make them feel better. Parents’ awareness must be increased for their children with disabilities or with problems".
Endri, 12 year old