I have sponsored Mira, who lives in Northern Albania, for several years. I had always wanted to visit, but I was nervous. What do you talk about? How long do you stay? What is the protocol? Then I heard a talk on Radio 4 from a woman who had visited her sponsored child. World Vision had helped her at every stage. She met her child for a day and learnt so much about the workings of World Vision on the ground. It sounded wonderful. I phoned World Vision the next day for more information.
It took a while for my husband to agree to a holiday in a new and unknown country as we didn’t know much about Albania. Nevertheless, we made it, and began our exciting adventure driving from Montenegro to Tirana. We drove for six hours through blinding rain and ferocious lightening – Albania was experiencing a week of freak weather. We arrived in the late afternoon and it was a shock. Pictures on the web made it look sedate and quiet. Far from it! The main square had very obvious Communist architecture, with an amazing mosaic of revolutionary workers on the front of the museum. But immediately off the main square there were many small streets. It’s clearly poor, but there is a life and a vitality that made wandering around fascinating.
The next morning we were collected and driven the two hours north. That gave us plenty of time to ask lots of questions about the day and about World Vision. I was utterly shocked to learn that over two thousand children are registered in the Area Development Programme and such a small and dedicated team of staff visit them and monitor their wellbeing regularly, collecting photos and letters.
We then met Orgert, the Programme Manager and Besmira, a Sponsorship Leader who accompanied us. They introduced us to Mira, now 14, her parents, her elder sister and brother. It’s wonderful, but strange to meet someone you have corresponded with for so many years and yet never spoken to. She seemed so familiar and yet we couldn’t speak. I think we were both overcome with shyness. But this initial awkwardness was dispelled by the World Vision staff, who worked so hard to put everyone at their ease.
‘Thank you for loving me enough to send me presents and letters’. To be honest, I had always been a bit haphazard about the writing of letters and the sending of gifts. I had wondered if it mattered and now I realise it does and will take this a bit more seriously.
Mira’s parents have a small holding, similar, but slightly larger than Scottish crofts. They struggle to make a living from the land as the soil isn’t good and there is strong competition from cheap imports. Despite their hardships, I could sense they are such a strong family – so united. I enjoyed meeting Ded, their father. I had a feeling that while he was around, his family will be alright. He had a good sense of humour and real twinkle in his eye – a trait shared by all his children.
Because of the rain, the planned visit to the school camp was abandoned, so instead we first went to meet the head of the high school – Professor ZefNika. He kindly gave of his time and was so passionate about the help they had received from World Vision.
Eighty per cent of the support the school received is from World Vision so the building itself has improved and teachers received good training.
It looked like a normal, slightly down at heel high school in Britain. ZefNika told us that the government does not support or fund it in terms of maintenance. He mentioned also that unemployment is high and for some it must seem pointless to try and study. It is still common for girls to get married rather than have a career. This can lead them to be particularly vulnerable.
It isn’t easy to see poverty in Albania in the same way as it is in India, and this makes it more difficult to get sponsors, but the poverty is stark. A visit to Martha’s house really brought this home to us. Martha is married with six children. Her husband is unable to work and their only income is from Martha’s part time job at the local catholic church. Martha came to World Vision’s attention when it was thought that one of her daughters had a brain tumour. She couldn’t afford a doctor, so World Vision stepped in and paid for the medical treatment that saved her daughter. This was an immense relief for Martha.
Her family live in two rooms, with a small TV and an oven that looked like a microwave. They own the land they live on, but it is next to a local brickworks and the factory wants the family to leave which is making life difficult for them. Unable to pay rent elsewhere, the family are stuck in a hard place.
When Martha apologised for not being able to offer us anything, both my husband and I struggled not to cry.
Next, we went for lunch with Mira’s family in a famous local restaurant. The food was lovely especially the local sausage. Mira and I started to speak more with Orgert’s help. I asked her and her sister how they spent their time – expecting the answer to include fun things. They explained they spent most of their time helping to work on the farm in order to be able to manage. It turns out that Mira is clever and good at maths. ‘I want to become a lawyer and one day, I will hope to come and greet you in London’. I agreed and smiled and hope that her dream will come true. But I wondered if she had any idea just how difficult this will be for her. It's a struggle to afford secondary education, let alone university level.
After lunch, we took pictures on the steps and said our farewells.
Martin and I agreed it had been a wonderful experience and a great adventure.
In the afternoon Besmira introduced us to the Youth Vision Group. They are a truly inspiring group of young adults, who after having been sponsored themselves, have decided to improve the lives of others locally. Their energy and commitment was great to see. We watched a video they had made about work they had done to repair a school in Malecaj community which was in a terrible condition. They organised various fund raising events including a big concert. It wasn’t easy for them and they had to battle a lot of indifference - but they succeeded. How wonderful it is that World Vision is supporting them to become so proactive.
Just before we left we had a final coffee with the World Vision staff to discuss what we had seen, and they kindly drove us back to our hotel.
If you are thinking of visiting your sponsored child – do so. Mira and her family don’t seem so far away now.
Thank you World Vision.
