Sue Lavender describes how she didn't let the challenges of being deaf and blind stop her from fulfilling her dream of meeting her sponsored child, Olsi, in Albania.
My two assistants and I flew out from Heathrow, laden down with heavy suitcases and a lot of excitement. Despite a scary trip down a long slope in my wheelchair with Fiona hanging on trying to steer it and not let go, we boarded our second flight to Albania where we tried some of our newly learnt Albanian phrases on a lady travelling home. She understood most of it with just a few corrections.
Our taxi driver took us to our hotel in Tirana. He was very friendly, however his driving was something to be believed. There seemed no rules for the road, full headlights and no road markings. At one point we became aware of large frogs in the road, which to Fiona and Rob's horror the taxi driver had no compassion for and sent them flying under his wheels. It then began to rain heavily, it poured down. This seemed immaterial to the taxi driver who continued at the same impressive speed he started at.
We received a warm welcome from staff at the hotel and couldn’t refuse the lovely meal they had prepared for us, despite it being 1.15am. The meal consisted of home cooked bread, stuffed cabbage leaves, aubergines, filo pastry and a main course of whale steaks. I was not sure about it and left Rob the daunting task of clearing the plate so as not to cause offence. Fiona the vegetarian was delighted with the selection of vegetables on offer.
The night before our visit to see Olsi, my sponsored child, we packed up our gifts and then enjoyed an Albanian band playing as we sat in front of the fire and toasted to our adventure, saying "guzar", Albanian for cheers with some local red wine.
Whilst we were driving we passed horse and carts. Sheep and goats were being herded past and a farmer walked his cow. It was very rural indeed.
On the day of our sponsor visit, I awoke at 6.30am and as we waited for the World Vision staff to arrive I had a great feeling of excitement and a little apprehension. When they did arrive, we loaded the car and drove to the World Vision office. We were shown around and introduced to staff. After filling in child protection forms a member of staff informed us that Olsi and his family were on their way. We made our way through to the team leader's office to await their arrival.
I will never forget how I felt when Olsi and his family walked into the room. Olsi gave me a huge hug. He didn't have to say anything, his hug said it all.
I was having trouble hearing everything that was being said as everyone seemed to be talking at once. It was overwhelming for us all. Olsi was so sweet, he took control and became my guide, leading me carefully by the hand and never once left my side.
We then went downstairs to the cars waiting below. I sat with Olsi in the front and he held my hand all the way to the school. When we arrived we were met by the head teacher who showed us into the classroom where there were eight students waiting for us. They were part of the school council. They introduced me and the students came up one by one to introduce themselves and shake my hand. They were encouraged to ask me questions and our interpreter was a real help to me. I found this experience very helpful and useful as a deaf-blind adult. We were there for about half an hour and we gave them sweets, footballs and rugby balls, they were very grateful and pleased. Although little Fabio, Olsi's brother, was feeling a little under the weather, he still managed to claim one of the footballs for himself!
We travelled to a restaurant where I was finally able to give Olsi and his dad their presents. Unfortunately Olsi's mum and his little brother, Fabio, had to return home as Fabio was not well. We gave them their gifts along with one for Olsi's sister. It was such a lovely surprise when Olsi presented me with a small parcel and helped me to unwrap it. He was continually smiling. Olsi's gift to me was a beautiful picture in a frame of Albanian flowers with traditional Albanian colours. The picture is now hanging on the wall halfway up my stairs so people can see it as they come in to my flat. After a lovely meal we were sad to say our farewells.
It has been an amazing adventure, challenging at times, but unforgettable
We then travelled to the Children's Culture Centre. It was a challenging walk as they were doing road works. We had to make our way through thick rubble and mud, uneven pavements, and past open trenches. No health and safety there! It was worth the walk though. We met twelve young people who told us about their initiatives, what they had already achieved and what their hopes were for the future. Their latest project is fundraising to set up a cinema so they can help teach the community about other countries and cultures. These young people are the future of Albania and we want to help support them in their projects. After saying goodbye the World Vision staff thanked us for coming and helping to make a difference. We felt very appreciated when they thanked us and expressed the desire to see us again someday.
Olsi gave me a long hug goodbye and I hope to meet him again someday. I know he will turn into a real gentleman
Going to visit Olsi has inspired me to continue my support of him and his community long into the future and I will always have fond memories of the people I have met during our short but special stay in Albania.
