Macedonia: Elena Mediates

In 2001, a conflict escalated in Macedonia and led to heavy fighting between the army and the Albanian UK rebels. Since then, Elena Gulmadova, a 33 year-old Tadjik, has worked for the OSCE in Macedonia. Her task is to rebuild the destroyed trust between ethnic groups in Macedonia.

“When I meet a refugee family that has nearly nothing to eat, whose children are freezing, whose home is dust and ashes,” she says on the way back to her headquarters, “I have to fight not to cry. But pity doesn’t help anybody. I feel better as soon as I find a way to give them practical help. Looking to the future protectsyou from despair.” Elena Gulmadova