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Welcome to the series #EVERYDAYHEROES in which we introduce exceptional members of our network. Through pop culture, we discovered that heroes fly, have superpowers, come from another planet, wear capes and costumes, but there are other, real heroes. Heroes we are surrounded by every day, who raise their voices in times of injustice and fight for the rights of all of us. Who look the same as us, who express their superpower by fighting every day for a better and democratic society. Everyday heroes, that we have to talk about. Follow us on our Instagram to catch the next interview among the first ones.
Another Everyday Hero is Blerta Berisha from Kosovo.
Can you introduce yourself?
I’m Blerta Berisha, from the Republic of Kosovo. I am a political activist and a member of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo political party. I have received a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy at Iliria College and a bachelor’s degree in Banking, Finance, and Accounting from the University of Pristina. Between January 2018 and February 2021, I worked for the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, holding various positions in the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs. Currently, I am the executive director of EDYN Kosovo. During my spare time, I like to watch political documentaries and spend time with my family, especially with my 8 nephews and 6 nieces, so I can say that during my free time, I am a full-time babysitter.
What do you consider your biggest success?
My greatest professional achievement to this day has been completing my Bachelor’s degree at two universities: International relations and diplomacy and Economics: Bank, finance, and accounting. In my third year of studies, I started to work a full-time job, first as an intern at the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and then continuing as political staff at the Office of the Prime Minister. This taught me to prioritize my time, build great habits and stay focused on my goals. I’m proud of this accomplishment and I feel that what I learned is going to give me a big advantage in the future.
What does the word DEMOCRACY mean to you?
To me, Democracy is an opportunity to shape the future of my own and the future of my country. Also, for me, democracy is a commitment to hearing each other’s voices and opinions, a commitment to lifting each other up when we stumble.
Who do you consider your Everyday Hero and why?
When I think of a hero, I think of someone who is brave, strong, hardworking, trustworthy, fearless, and courageous. When I think of a hero, I think of my mother. She is my own personal everyday hero. As a child, I remember wanting to be her. She was( and still is) so beautiful, so poised, and so classy. Everything that I aspire to be. But it wasn’t until I was an adult that I began to see all that she had done, all that she sacrificed, all that she overcame to be the woman she is today. She worked hard to make sure that I and my siblings had everything we needed, even if that meant not buying something she wanted for herself. She allowed me and my siblings to have endless opportunities throughout school and extracurricular activities. She has always put me and my siblings first. When I was a child, it seemed like she was everyone’s mom, not just mine. I am still not ashamed to admit that I resented every last single person who thought they had a claim to her. But that was and IS the wonderfulness that is my mother: she never made you feel like you were second. She makes everyone feel like they matter. She has been nothing but influential and the center of my universe. She never fails to force a smile on my face and inspire me to greatness.
What does the concept of Everyday Hero mean to you?
The everyday Hero concept, to me, means that not all superheroes wear capes. Each one of us could be a hero. We don’t have to possess any superpowers. Be a kind-hearted, brave, and loving human being. Fill this planet with goodness, optimism, and hope. Make this planet a better place to live. Get inspired. Motivate others.
Why did you become a member of EDYN?
What intrigued me the most about becoming part of EDYN is that, for me, EDYN is a unique program that consists of young people who come from all political parties and NGOs. Being a political activist in Kosovo, it is very difficult to cooperate with young people who come from other political parties. Therefore, EDYN for me and the other members from Kosovo is a program that enables us to cooperate with each other and together make a change in Kosovo through EDYN.
