On May 17, 2022, a promotional event was held on the occasion of the renovation of PS “Dimce Angelov Gaberot” from Demir Kapija, as part of the USAID Youth Ethnic Integration Project. With the financial support from the US European Command (EUCOM), a new thermal façade was installed on the central building of the school thanks to which the school is warm in winter and cool in the summer and the studying and working conditions of more than 360 students and teachers are improved.
Among the attendees on the event were USAID North Macedonia Country Representative, James Stein and the Chief of the U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation of the U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia, Major Daniel Mayeda, who together with the Mayor of the Municipality of Demir Kapija, Lazar Petrov, the school director, Mence Nikolova and representatives of the municipality and the school visited the school buildings, saw the new façade up close and made a tour of the space.
“Back in the summer of 2011, 30 US Navy Seabees together with soldiers from North Macedonia worked to renovate this building and turned it into new classrooms. Today, 11 years later we are here once again to celebrate the installation of the new thermal façade on the school, demonstrating the great and lasting partnership we have with the Municipality of Demir Kapija”, said the Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation of the U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia, Major Daniel Mayeda.
USAID North Macedonia Country Representative, James Stein added, “Classrooms will now keep students and teachers cooler in summer and warmer in winter, and the school is more energy-efficient. We are proud of the partnership with the school, the municipality and the U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation to boost ethnic cohesion and civic education, encourage youth activism and improve the school environment”.
They joined students from different ethnic communities in the central and satellite schools, who gathered in the schoolyard, planted trees, and participated in sports activities on the playground. This way, young people raised awareness of the need for environmental protection and the importance of increased physical activity. They also met with students involved in creative Civic Education activities aimed at helping marginalized community groups and the elderly.
“I want to express my deep gratitude for the support in the realization of this capital project that brough great benefits to our school. This project meant unification of several parties and teamwork of the local government, the employees in the school, the community and the students themselves “, said the Mayor of the Municipality of Demir Kapija, Lazar Petrov.
The school and the municipality contributed with around 40% in the costs for renovation of the façade on the central school building.
Since 2017, through the USAID Youth Ethnic Integration Project in cooperation with the US European Command (EUCOM), 51 schools have been renovated so far and nine more will be renovated by the end of the project in September this year.
This activity is part of the Youth Ethnic Integration Project, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
This article is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of MCEC and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) or the United States Government.
