The "Game Caravan Project", which aims to ensure that children grow up healthy and spend time with activities suitable for their age, met with Kosovo children after completing its tour in North Macedonia.

The aim of the project is to continue the tradition of games, to introduce and play traditional children's games, to raise game awareness in children by organizing game activities and to give them self-confidence through games. The project, where free books are distributed, also aims to give children the habit of reading.

The project, carried out under the coordination of Pristina, Prizren and Peja Yunus Emre Institutes, was implemented in 4 different cities of Kosovo.

The caravan arrived at its first stop, the village of Baicë in Drenas, on Tuesday, July 27th, 2021. The caravan, which met with the children in Dobrucan village of Gjilan on the same day, stopped in Recan village in the Jupa region of Prizren, on July 28th, 2021. The Game Caravan, which visited the children of Mamusha in the garden of the Mamusha Municipality building at 17.00 on the same day, completed its Kosovo program.

CHILDREN LEARN THROUGH FUN

Stating that they have organized the Game Caravan project for the benefit of children living in rural areas of Kosovo especially, Kosovo Yunus Emre Institute Director Dr. Mehmet Ülker stated that here were many traditional game materials in the caravan. He also added that Turkish instructors were together with the children, they listened to children's dreams about the future pedagogically and psychologically, they played with them and shared their joy.

With this trailer; children played many different games such as game competitions, animation games, inflatable playgrounds, hopscotch, jumping rope, hula hoop, traditional Turkish archery, mini football, mini basketball and many more. At the end of the playtime, refreshments consisting of Turkish delicacies were distributed to the children by the Yunus Emre Institute.

The project is supported by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Archers Foundation.

THE FIRST STOP OF THE GAME CARAVAN WAS NORTH MACEDONIA

The Game Caravan Project, implemented by the Skopje Yunus Emre Institute to ensure that children grow up healthy and spend time with activities appropriate for their age, was opened on July 1st 2021 in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. Cair Mayor Visar Ganiu, Skopje Yunus Emre Institute Director Serhat Kula, representatives of Turkish institutions and organizations, as well as children and their parents attended the opening program. In his speech, the Director of Skopje Kula said that they especially want to reach to the children living in the villages, within the scope of the Game Caravan project.

Noting that children in rural areas have limited opportunities to participate in activities held in big cities, Kula said, “We wanted to extend this just a little longer. We have organized a caravan with various toys and books, opportunities to watch movies and listen to music.”

STARTED ITS JOURNEY FROM ISTANBUL

Thanks to the Game Caravan, which set off from Istanbul, children had a fun day all day long. Information was given to the children and gifts were distributed at the promotional stands.

The Game Caravan met with children living in rural areas of North Macedonia between July 1st to 14th, 2021 in Skopje, Gostivar, Tetovo, Mavrova, Rostusha, Centar Zupa, Kicevo, Shtip, Radovish, Strumica and Valandovo. While playing games in 6 different regions determined within the scope of the project, children had the opportunity to meet with movies, music, fairy tales, books and traditional sports about our culture.