Albanian Orphans Mission

Field Report March 2001

Introduction

This year has been one of great change for us at AOM. The direction and methods of our working have changed in a way of which just a few years ago would of seemed impossible. There are the tangible differences like our physical absence from the orphanage in addition there are the less noticeable but equally ground breaking difference such as the way in which we administer aid to the needy groups in Albania.

The status of AOM has changed in this past year. We are no longer an English NGO working in Albania, but now we are registered according to Albanian law, which gives us legal rights inside of Albania including in the future the right to receive aid shipments, determine their destination and negotiate contracts.

I will start with a brief time line of events here during the year almost in a diary format.

February 2000 During this month we returned to Albania after our break home. We finished the heating project in the back block of the main orphanage in Tirana. This involved putting heavy-duty cables thoughtout the building in order to supply the heating needs for the children in the wintertime. Normally the supply cables burn out in middle of the winter because of the load placed on them. This problem was rectified by the project that was put in place last winter. During February we also strengthened our links with a French Organisation called LaGerbe. They are a service provider organisation very much like us, they have many projects thought the year and have sent us many teams in the last year.

March-April 2000 These two months can be described in just two words 'Infirmary project.' We were preparing the building and the accommodation for the team who came out in this period. The infirmary project was one of the most successful projects ever in Tirana. It is a credit to all who were involved for the amount of work that was achieved by so few in such a small amount of time. It look fantastic and more importantly, is functional, It's probably the best internal medial facility in an Albanian Institution. Unfortunately for us during this time we learnt one of our hardest lessons from the Albanian government. During this time the customs laws had changed so as not to allow building materials in the country without tax. Even for public institutions. So we had to pay tax over all of the materials for the project but we live and learn. Now the law has changed again as to allow materials in without tax.

May 2000 This month saw us finish the infirmary project. We handed over the keys and allowed the staff to re-occupy the rooms there. During this time also we as AOM acquired a vehicle for use in country it is now registered as an Albanian vehicle and serves us greatly, we are now able to assess needs right across Albania and deliver our aid directly to those who are most in need.

June 2000 This was probable the worst month for us here in Albania. It was during this time that our stay in the Tirana orphanage came to an unfortunate end. We were unable to continue to work there in the circumstances that were given to us. We are still very upset about the opportunities that have been lost as a result of this. Still both of us have a clear conscience and peace of mind about the whole episode.

July onwards. After leaving the orphanage we began to work in the orphanage in Valore. Mark wanted us to replace all of the old plastic water pipes that AOM fitted way back in 94/95 with copper pipe. This took a long time to complete and during this time Marian was heavily involved in the childcare aspects of the work there and also the kitchen. This was a good time of renewal for us. Mark was really taking care and I would personally like to put on record how much we appreciated what Mark did for us in those difficult months, I think that it would not be too strong to say that if it wasn't for Mark then possibly we would not be in Albania anymore.

As you will know from October until February we were in Holland and England talking to many of our supporters and supporting churches, during this time we as an organisation thought long and hard about our future. We agreed that the work needed to continue but in what form. It was from this that the Mustard seed was born and future initiatives will be based.

The Mustard Seed project is up and running, and we have between eight and ten children a weekend to visit us. They receive help in what ever form they require usually a hot meal and some time to talk. Marian has written more about this but the overall synopsis is very good on the situation.

New areas that we are investigating for help are the Vocational school people, they are in terrible conditions and have had no water for much of the last months, we have repaired pumps and will do some essential repair work.

Another area in which we are considering involvement is in the street children support; there are very few groups who are looking out for their needs unlike the orphanagess, where there are a deluge of NGO's. offering help. We are prayerfully considering the future of our work in this area.

Comment: The above are all facts this is now my comment on this issues facing AOM in the next year.

The future for AOM is very bright, we need to continue to listen to God and to the needs here in order to keep pace with developments. Personally I am most excited by the developments in the Mustard Seed project and the possibilities with the street children's work. As usual our main problem is funding. We are constantly supplied with needs that must be met, delivering water to the Voc school for example is not a luxury item, but it is very expensive. The pumps and pipe work that is required are expensive. The most complex issue facing us at the moment is were do we put our limited money? Into which project?

At the moment the bulk of our spending is still with HFTW in Tirana. This organisation continues to reduce the standards of care in this institution, and will not face the issues with the government. The actual involvement with the children is minimal. In addition to this they provide no accounting for the funds. The amount of stretch per dollar is very small. I use this as a guide to the value of projects. All projects have a value, you can use $50 and make a tremendous difference to the children, this is a good dollar stretcher, but you can use $10000 and make no difference to the children. This is not a good stretcher. To give some ideas where the project with Tirana is failing here is a list of observations, made not just by us, but by others:

Food Quality is abysmal; Care Staff are disinterested; Money is squandered, not used carefully and not used to the benefit of the children. HFTW is unprepared to deal with the issues, it behaves as a lap dog to the Government director.

I would really that all at AOM prayerfully to consider our giving to this organisation. With no accounts how do we know what is happening. We need to be responsible to God for what He gives us. Maybe there are better ways of using this money for the good of children like those at the Voc School etc. Who need basic sanitation and drinking water!!

Maybe we could use this money to benefit the street children, as I have said there are very few organisations in this area and many children are living on the streets. Should we subsidise an uncertain work when others are still suffering and living on the streets. This could tie in with the older children orphanage who we want to continue to help, allowing them to give back some of what they have received. Many have helped us at the street children's squat and are fantastic with the children. They know how it feels to be in a children's home, and know what it is good to have. It is a thought for us to follow.

So in summary I would like to make our thoughts clear as AOM look at its objectives for the field in Albania over the next year or two.

Increase our income in order to complete needy projects.

Target our aid giving both material and financial assistance to make the most effect. Make our aid transports full of quality goods but still in large quantities Continue to receive works teams; to help the children and to love them is the best way possible.

We are looking forward to a great year here as AOM. With God's leading and guidance all is possible. It is a privilege to serve AOM and God here and we hope to continue in your blessing for the following year.

In Christ

Adam Ridout