The Foreign Service Journal, December 2018

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2018 49 The BEP initiative targeted all public primary schools—grades one through nine—and took an institutional approach. Its over- arching goal was to improve the government of Kosovo’s ability to manage the education sector, ensuring there would be continual improvements in the quality of primary education even after project activities ended. BEP operated fromOctober 2010 until July 2016, jointly funded by USAID and the government of Kosovo. The government provided 50 percent of the funding and became adept at budgeting and managing resources for education. I was involved in negotiating these terms with the government, and then carried out continual oversight of the project’s implemen- tation. We sat together as true partners to discuss and plan this project for the biggest impact for all children. The project also focused on marketable skills, with a specific focus on getting girls involved in science and technology. I was especially pleased to be able to design these activities. Operating under the motto “Developing students’ 21st-century skills with schools and communities,” BEP sought to improve the capac- ity of Kosovo’s schools to provide students with relevant skills. After-school programs included activities such as Green Clubs, Technician Clubs, Design Challenges, Robotics, Junior Oscar, and Girls and Technology. The Girls and Technology activity, in particular, was very popular. Girls from grades seven to nine participated in a variety of challenges that had them programming, running small science experiments, working with electronics and doing design work. Their work was facilitated by teachers or older students in relevant fields, who served as role models. In addition, successful women in technological fields were invited to these events and inspired the girls to consider occupa- tions that are still mostly dominated by men. On one occasion, the first female president of the Republic of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, visited and shared her observations: “During my visit to the working groups, I saw extraordinary potential in girls and their advanced level of technology use. I see in them scientists in the field of technology and future leaders of our government.” It was an honor to have her visit and to have her support. I cannot know the exact path my children will take, but I am hopeful for them. If a woman can be president, then what else? I am grateful for the United States’ contribution to the improve- ment of Kosovo’s education system for all children, and I am proud to be part of this improvement. n Antigona Mustafa is a project management specialist–education for USAID Mission Kosovo. Her responsibilities include managing activi- ties in basic and higher education for USAID in Kosovo.