City of Kukes 

Kukes is located in northeastern Albania next to the border of Kosovo. It is well known both for its high rate of immigration but also as for one of the primary hydroelectric reservoirs in the country - Fierza Hydroelectric Power Station. It is a pleasure to travel to Kukes, thanks to the “Rruga e Kombit” or A1 highway - the longest and only toll motorway in Albania. This highway is a source of infrastructural pride for Albania, connecting Kosovo and Albania, realizing a big dream of Albanians in both countries.  

Collaborating with GIZ-DIMAK 

The DSIK Albania team has been in communication with GIZ representatives for some time, trying to organize an event in which to join efforts and contribute to the improvement Albanian quality of life through financial literacy. Where there is a will, there is always a way to make things happen! 

GIZ-DIMAK’s Migrants Labyrinth Initiative started in 2016, and has since been actively working with returning immigrants - working on reintegration in the Albanian context and working with young people interested in studying in Germany, among other areas of focus. This provided a perfect match with the objectives of the DSIK Albania project. However, timing provided a challenge, and DSIK Albania had to act quick to mobilize, working with the very professional and committed GIZ staff who supported the DSIK team to make this training happen on the 26th of September as a part of the Migrant Labyrinth event planned in Kukes from September 20-26th, 2022. 

Playing the DSIK Savings Game with Kukes high school students 

In the morning of September 26th, DSIK Albania travelled to Kukes via the A1 (Rruga e Kombit) highway. Heavy rain fell during the entire three-hour drive from Tirana, yet the beautiful mountain landscapes presented themselves majestically out the window despite the weather.  

After a warm-up activity, students were asked to behave like the mother/father of their family, they took on the role of decision makers, working towards family goals. 

Some improvising was needed to organize the teams and the working space, but in the end an optimal set up was reached. The teens were hard to warm up, but the DSIK trainers Ornela Kullolli and Alda Dhamo overcame this obstacle, one that is common to every training session. Gradually the students started to tell their family experiences related to finances. Once warmed up, they were thrust into role-playing, part of what make the Savings Game so unique and interactive. Asked to behave like the mother/father of their family, they took on the role of decision makers, working towards family goals. 

As the primary phase of the game passed, it was interesting to observe that all five of the Savings Game team, or “families”, had the same goal; educate the kids of the family. This was very telling, considering the current situation of the city of Kukes, and the young generation following the path of the predecessors investing in education (Kukes has become well known for skilled mathematics students).  

Time was flying by, and suddenly half of the allotted time for the game had passed! The “families” were already developing their strategies of how to reach their family goals, with each group taking a different approach, but all very focused on the reaching their goal. DSIK’s trainers were getting many questions, a clear indication that the students were focused and were learning the pressure and repercussions of being responsible for a family.   

In the short two-hour training, the pupils managed to go through one “life cycle” of a family; setting goals, strategizing and budget planning based on income level and expenses. At the end of the wrap-up session pupils “complained” about wanting more time to play – a very good sign! 

Developing a family budget was the final segment of the session. Pupils were taught not only what a family budget is, but also why it is important for every family and above all how to create and adhere to one. In the short two-hour training, the pupils managed to go through one “life cycle” of a family; setting goals, strategizing and budget planning based on income level and expenses. At the end of the wrap-up session pupils “complained” about wanting more time to play – a very good sign! They were eager to see how their strategy would work till the end of the game. Despite short time, the teens managed to take with them useful basic financial concepts like saving, budget planning and how these simple things affect to the quality of life and fulfilment of personal and family goals. 

When a training ends with the participants eager to play longer and learn more, it means that the session was a success. The DSIK Albania team traveled back to Tirana, while the rain continues to be the “King of the Day”. A very pleasant and fulfilling feeling was shared among the DSIK team on the drive home, and they all agreed it was worth the effort to make this session happen.  

A very warm and big thanks to GIZ and their local staff that helped with the organization of the event, and above all to the pupils that participated in the training. We are sure this will not be the last time the DSIK Savings Games comes to Kukes! 

Looking forward to the next Migration Labyrinth in Tirana.