Fatmire Feka is a 17-year-old girl from Kosovo who founded Kids Clubs for Peace. These clubs help youth overcome ethnic tensions through games, songs, and other creative activities. Fatmire's work has had such an impact that she was among those nominated for the 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.

What was life like after the war in Kosovo?
It was terrible. Most of the houses were burned, and the economy was weak, very weak. Before, we were a poor country, but at least we didn't have our houses burned. Most of the people worked, but after the conflict started in 1988, all the parents were without jobs and the economy went down, down, down.

How did the war affect children?
During and after the war, the children, like me, experienced a lot—things that children shouldn't have to go through. It was really dangerous for them, and they lost members of their families. After the war the children were also crying because they didn't have food.

How did you personally discover the importance of peace?
I wanted peace because…I never had peace in my life. That's why I said I wanted something, and most of the children there also wanted something, but they didn't know what they wanted because they didn't know what peace, tolerance, reconciliation—children rights—were. You know, they didn't know what that means for them.What motivated you to start Kids For Peace?

What are your dreams for Kosovo?
Well, I have lots of dreams. I hope one day that Kosovo will be a peaceful place, and working together with many different ethnicities, because for me, ethnicity doesn't matter. We are all humans…and even if we are different—different in colour, or different in our thinking—you know, we are still the same kids. I hope that someday we will get peace, what we are working really hard for right now, and no more violence.

What advice do you have for other youths?
Youths can change their lives. Youths can make a change in their community and in their country, but only by working hard in a positive way. Be who you are and work for the future, because teenagers can make a lot of difference—even if the change is small.

Click here to learn more about Kids Clubs for Peace.