AOM: The History behind it.

When the BBC started to transmit pictures from Albania shortly after the collapse of the regime that had held its people in the grip of poverty and terror for so many years, people here in England watched in horror at the suffering of the orphaned children left dying in the state run orphanages. Naked, cold and starving, they cried out for compassion, and as so often happens, people here shouted out in anger, “if only we could do something”.

For a small group of people in Dorset, that anger stirred more than just a longing to help, and The Albanian Orphans Mission was born. Initially, humanitarian aid was the most desperately need help, food, clothing, bedding, shoes, anything to ease their suffering. But we quickly came to realise that aid was not enough, the very infrastructure of the buildings these children were ‘imprisoned’ in had collapsed. No water, sanitation, power, medicines - all we take for granted here had failed to work many years earlier. For A.O.M., to be of any use, we knew that nothing short of total commitment and a miracle could give these little children hope.

Since those early days, A.O.M. has become recognised in Albania as an aid group who deliver on their word. Major restoration projects on dilapidated buildings have brought real comforts to so many children.

Water storage projects in a number of orphanages mean that hundreds of children now have reliable and constant water, not just in wash rooms, but toilets, kitchens and laundries. Vlore Orphanage for Babies has a roof that keeps the rain  out. Tirana Orphanage has sanitation, has a home for older children and an electricity supply capable of supplying their needs during the coldest winter months. The Orphanage in Tirana has a fully restored Infirmary,  the School for Deaf and Blind children has hot and cold water, showers, toilets, and electricity, as does Vlore and the VOC school in Tirana. The list goes on.

A.O.M. The Present.

“If only I could do something” needs not be just a cry from the heart, it can be the very start of real action. Through our Sponsorship scheme, for just a tiny amount each month, you can be part of the help and hope for these children. We have two full time field workers in Albania, people who have dedicated their lives to helping the weakest members of a country so desperately  ravaged by war, civil upheaval, drought, and isolation. Without A.O.M. children would be forced to live on the streets, but with the help of so many individual people,  together, they look forward to a chance to make something of their lives.

A.O.M. The Future.

A.O.M. will continue to offer help to the orphans  in our care for as long as we feel called to do so. As a Registered Charity, we turn the gifts of others into life giving support for children aged from just hours old to children throughout their teenaged years.

At this very minute we are negotiating with the Albanian Government to take over the running of a home for 60 children. That will mean everything from the complete rebuilding and renovating of the buildings  through raising sponsors to supply the children with all their needs, to giving them hope for the future. We cannot do it without an army of supporters behind us here in England.

“If only I could do something” is the starting point.  The simple fact is that now you can!!