History
The road network and infrastructure are in place, the legislation is in line with international standards and the presence of international troops ensures peace in the country.
And yet Kosovo is one of the poorest countries in Europe, where many families live in neglect and misery.
The ‘La Cordata’ community has been offering uninterrupted help to the poorest since 1999.
Our projects contribute directly to the development of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on combating poverty, promoting education and gender equality.
The Beginning
In 1999, Massimo and Cristina Mazzali came to Kosovo as delegates of Caritas Umbria to help the people rebuild after the devastating war.
Witnessing the unspeakable misery and in particular the many orphans left on the street, the young couple decided to make a long-term commitment to take in children and bring them up as their own.
Initially they lived in tents provided by the UN, then moved to a small house, and in 2014, thanks to donations, they were able to build the centre in Leskoz, Klina municipality. This is how ‘La Cordata’ came into being over the course of 20 years.
Today
The centre in Leskoz is currently home to 17 underage children from different cultural and religious backgrounds. Many of the children who grew up at the centre have since completed their education and are now working and living independently in Kosovo, Italy and Germany.
Twenty years after the war, Kosovo’s needs have changed. It is a country that is slowly getting back on its feet and building up an infrastructure and important institutions, but still has many social problems – poverty, access to basic needs, high unemployment, women’s rights, access to education, etc.
Today, the La Cordata centre in Leskoz is increasingly making its contribution to alleviating poverty, social exclusion and unemployment in the region. This is done by providing food and clothing, access to medical and psychological services, the construction of small houses and connection to the water network, the provision of education and the creation of jobs (agriculture, livestock farming, bakery, cheese-making).
Leadership
After 20 years, Massimo and Cristina Mazzali handed over the reins to Rinaldo and Francesca Mosca, another married couple from Italy, in 2021.
The organisation is legally established as an association in Kosovo and works with local institutions, in particular Caritas Kosovo.
