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Following the success of the recent project by a team of A.O.M. volunteers,
the Orphanage for Babies and young children in Vlore, Albania, now has
a pedal car track circum-navigating the grounds, which means that the
children can use their bicycles and pedal car toys to really great effect.
According to some of the staff, the massive effort by our team has transformed
the play area for the children. They love it!
Not satisfied with simply creating a circuit for the children to play
on, the team added humps and raised bends, then landscaped the surrounding
ground and marked out the route with traffic signs (albeit in English).
We often ask first time project members to write up a report for us, so
thanks to Paul Widnell, here is a first hand report from a very willing
volunteer:
A.O.M. PROJECT
VLORE (ALBANIA)
JUNE 2001
I was reluctant missionary.
Going to Albania was very much a marginal decision for me. The project
was to construct a concrete pathway or cycle-track running around the
perimeter of the rear courtyard of the orphanage in Vlore. It was a project
that would require several truck-loads of sand, gravel, hard-core, cement,
all mixed together over the course of two weeks by a team of five men
and four women from the south of England, some of whom didn't know the
difference between a shovel and pickaxe - and I count myself as one very
much amongst that number who didn't know a shovel from a pickaxe. What
we did have, of course, was a willingness to put in some back-breaking
effort for the benefit of these children and as a permanent witness as
to what some crazy people will do on behalf of their God.
When I decided to go to Albania some joker said I would get to play with
my bucket and spade. The joker was Neil Lovesey. You may have met him.
Amongst his many roles, amongst the almost endless tasks and responsibilities
heaped upon him, he is also Treasurer and chief trouble-shooter for the
Albanian Orphan's Mission. And he was correct in his prediction: bucket
and spade, sand, sunshine and water. It sounds idyllic.
He was, of course, being ironic. In addition to the bucket and spade,
I also got to play with a shovel, a pickaxe, a cement mixer and a wheel
barrow. The sand and water formed just a small part of the mixture used
in the making of several tons of concrete. And the sunshine added to our
blessings. At times I simply stood there and dripped with sweat. It was
not a pretty sight. Fortunately I didn't have to catch sight of myself
until we returned home and the photographs were developed.
We worked hard enough during those first few days to get half a day ahead
of schedule. So it was decided to try to get a whole day ahead of schedule.
That extra day could be usefully spend in Tirana, inspecting other orphanages
and considering the business of A.O.M. on the ground - as it were. In
order to get that extra half-day we agreed to work late into the evening.
To work on into the night if necessary. Also it was cooler in the evening
so the work was that much easier. As it got dark some arc-lamps were set
up so that those who were doing the shovelling into the cement mixers
could see what they were doing. Unfortunately, despite the lights, we
couldn't actually see inside the mixers. If the mix was weak you could
hear it slopping about. If it was too dry you could hear the pebbles rattling
against the drum. But between these two extremes it was very difficult
to get a consistent mix.
These things could be tolerated. Even the insects were no problem when
we used the correct chemical repellent. The great distraction, from my
point of view, was the 20 or 30 local children, who decided that this
must by some kind of English spectator sport. They squatted on the piles
of gravel, just a few inches away at times, watching every move we made.
And you had to keep your eyes on them. This is a culture wherein, something
like 10 years ago, not only were there no private cars, nor was there
any such thing as private property. And, that being the case, anything
left around without a guard was likely to sprout legs and walk. Indeed,
it was thought necessary on this account to recruit the orphanage security-guard
to try and keep these kids under some kind of control.
Once we had completed the concreting of the track was time of course
for someone to test it. And not without good reason. There was one particular
corner which caused concern. It was a tight bend and a steep descent.
There was the possibility that the children might go into the corner too
fast, propelled forward by the gradient and fail to get round, flying-off
the track in the direction of some heavy steal security doors 4 or 5 metres
beyond.
Adam Ridout, who is A.O.M.'s field-worker in Albania, courageously volunteered
to do the testing. Some of you may have seen Adam. He cannot be described
as "slight build". He is amply proportioned. And when it came
to cramming his stout figure into a 7 year-olds tricycle unbelief broke
out amongst us! Some of us doubted that it could be done. Others thought
that the child's toy might suffer irreparable damage as a result. But
those doubters were proved wrong. And, after a mere 20 minutes or so of
being pushed around the track by various colleagues (we have the photographs
to prove this), Adam announced that the track was safe enough to let some
of the children on it.
Unfortunately, Dorothy and I had to leave Albania before the final touches
were added to the project in Vlore. Although all the major concreting
had been completed, there was some landscaping, seeding and painting to
be finished. We have seen the photographs ourselves and the final product
seems to meet with everyone's approval. All are agreed that it is a job
well done. And the kids love it too.
The thing that puzzles me about the final product is the inclusion of
white-lines down the centre of the track. I'm puzzled because, in the
short time I was in Albania, having spend a mere 16 hours on their roads,
white-lines, together with good road sense, seem to be conspicuous in
their absence. On those few occasions when white-lines were encountered,
our Albanian drivers seems totally oblivious, or totally indifferent,
to their function.
Now God works in strange and mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.
And who knows? Could it be that we have helped in some small way the cause
of road safety in Albania by introducing the concept of white-lines where
white-lines were previously an unknown concept.
Paul Widnell
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What Paul omitted
Was that the effort to get to Albania this time had become a logistical
nightmare. Whereas normally, a team travel together, because of a series
of unconnected circumstances, the team left Dorset not in one, but three
separate groups. Each group leaving either on separate days, or different
airports. The task of delivering and collecting them in good time fell
on the more than capable shoulders of Jenny Scott who did a remarkable
job . At the other end of the journey, two team members were then faced
with a seven hour bus journey. An adventure if ever there was one as I'm
sure anyone who has travelled by Albanian bus will tell you. Having then
arrived in Tirana, they had to find their way to the Mustard Seed, that
is the home of Adam and Marian. Fortunately, thanks to the wanders of
modern technology, Marian was at the bus station to meet them even before
they realised they were in Tirana. The rest of the team met up in Corfu
on their way to Vlore some days later.
The project in Vlore was only part of the reason for travelling all the
way to Albania. We had heard of seriously worsening conditions for the
children living in the VOC School, and it was felt that by spending some
time in Tirana, we could more fully understand the harsh reality of life
for the older orphan children. We could also assess the situation in the
Tirana orphanage, and get a first hand feel for the work of Adam and Marian
at the Mustard Seed Project in preparation for the new 'OAKS' Project.
After six months of planning, this project is now ready to start, and
not a moment too soon. So often, children with real potential, children
who have proved and demonstrated a desire to make a success of their lives,
have those hopes dashed simply because of their 'Orphan' status. The 'OAKS'
home will offer safety and security for children who, under better circumstances,
would become champions for their Christian beliefs. They would be the
sort of children who see that there is more to life than just sitting
on street corners, letting the world pass them by. Opportunities for orphan
children in Albania are very few and very far apart. The 'OAKS' offers
a home, education, discipleship in Christian living, vocational training
and above all, safety, to a number of children who have proved that they
are eager to make something of their lives.
The 'OAKS' will become home for a limited period of three years for each
child. Long enough to make the transition from life within the confines
of the orphanage, to life standing on their own feet, equipped with the
ability to cope with the outside world, to cook and fend for themselves
and with skills to offer to prospective employers. It is my sincere hope
that some of these children will themselves take on similar projects thereby
enabling the 'OAKS' project to grow and become a model in the future
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Visit
The visit to the VOC School was a sobering experience for everyone in
the team. Those who were familiar with the facility became acutely aware
of how the fabric of the building has deteriorated over the past two years,
and how life for the children there has become so very hard. For those
members of the team who were experiencing Albania for the first time,
it was a traumatic time indeed. All this despite the fact that Adam has
worked hard over the past few months improving facilities for them. At
one point, there was no running water on site and no electricity. None
of the toilets worked and there were no cooking facilities. I must stress
that AOM has had no part in the VOC School since the civil unrest a couple
of years ago. But now as neither Adam and Marian nor The Albanian Orphans
mission are involved in the activities of HFTW, we are free to offer help
wherever Adam, Marian or the Albanian Orphans Mission feels there is a
need.
Recently, Adam has repaired the water supply, repaired the electrical
system and repaired some of the toilet and washing facilities. There is
still much more to do.
Perhaps at this point, I should mention that while all the planning for
the project was under way, we also managed to get another Aid truck out
to Holland, the contents of which were taken on from Holland to Albania
by our friends at Hope for Albania. You might have guessed, Jenny managed
to drive the truck out to North Holland between delivering and collecting
various elements of the project team to and from airports. (Adding up
her total mileage for the duration of the project, she drove the equivalent
of here to Albania and back single handed. If that's not total dedication
and support for the cause, then I don't know what is!)
This consignment of aid has been our best one yet to suit the given situation.
Real needs were met for the staff at the Orphanage for Babies in Vlore,
for Adam and Marian at the Mustard Seed, but most importantly, for the
children at the VOC school where the need was greatest. Once again, we
must offer our greatest thanks to the congregations of a number of churches.
In particular, New Milton Evangelical Free Church, Poole Vineyard Church,
Waterloo Christian Fellowship, Butt Lane in Bere Regis and particularly
Emanuel at Swanage who so generously offered two Microwave ovens, one
for Adam, the other for the VOC School. This church in Swanage has met
several very special requests including a Kango power hammer for Adam
and now a washing machine for the VOC School. To you all, and the countless
others who helped fill our truck with the food, clothes and essential
supplies, we do indeed offer our thanks, as I am sure, the staff and children
in Albania do.
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Some Thoughts From The Chair.
Our mission has had a long relationship with the American Mission - Hope
for the World (H.F.T.W.). As a recognised Non-Governmental Organisation
(N.G.O.) they have helped us gain access to Albania, and have had missionaries
on the ground to advise us of the immediate needs of the children. In
recent months the committee has been concerned that sponsors' money has
not been directed exactly to those points of need specified. As a charity
registered in this country we feel we have a responsibility to ensure
that when we say that money goes to a particular need it does in fact
go to that point. Whilst all the money you have sent does benefit Albanian
orphans we have not been totally happy that it has been put to the best
possible use. I suppose it can be said that H.F.T.W. and A.O.M. do not
share exactly the same vision.
One aspect, which has given us concern for some years, is the plight of
the fourteen-year-olds who are put on to the streets with little or no
further assistance from the orphanage. They often have few life skills
and are ill equipped to enter a normal family environment. Whilst many
of them have become Christians they have not received the level of discipling
necessary to sustain an active witness in the community.
It is our vision to address these problems and it is the reason that
we want to get the O.A.K.S. Project under way as soon as possible. O.A.K.S.
stands for Orphaned Albanians Knowing the Saviour. We have therefore decided
to bring to a close our relationship with H.F.T.W. although we will still
have contact with the children in the orphanage through Adam and Marian
and I have assured their Vice President that we will continue to remember
them in our prayers.
As an N.G.O. officially recognised in Albania, we now have access to
the country in our own right and are much better placed to ensure that
your contributions go to where we feel they are most needed.
If you are one of our sponsors you will be receiving a separate letter
from Heather Allen. Please also understand that this move should have
little effect upon the child to whom you have been giving. If they are
still in the orphanage we will continue to monitor their progress. We
will also ensure that they receive any correspondence, which you send.
Many of the children will have contact with us weekly through the Mustard
Seed Project and others will be part of O.A.K.S.
I am very excited about O.A.K.S. You will know the old adage - "Great
oaks from little acorns are made." I believe that we are at the point
of sowing an acorn which if watered by our prayers and fertilized by our
sacrificial giving will be instrumental in producing the kind of changes
in heart attitude which Adam and Marian talk of in their newsletter as
being so necessary if Albania is to make real progress.
Thank you for all your support in the past and thank you for all that
we will be doing together in the future.
Yours in Christ,
Ian Smith.
Chairman.
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SPONSORED WALK
It is strange how the knock on effects of something can affect something
else so far removed from the first. The project set for June was decided
upon several months previously. Funding for that was, we hoped, to be
met by the Sponsored walk arranged to take place in May. The Foot and
Mouth epidemic started in Yorkshire and very quickly gripped the entire
country to such an extent, that the walk was postponed. To cancel the
project was out of the question, so we decided to fund the project from
finances earmarked for the start of the 'OAKS' home.
We need to raise best part of £20,000 to renovate the building,
and furnish it in a suitable fashion, with a start date tentatively set
for September this year. With our reserves now greatly reduced, we are
hoping and praying that the new date for the Sponsored walk will be suitable
for the many people who have shown an interest in taking part.
On Saturday the 15th of September we hope as many people as possible will
turn up at Badbury Rings on the B3082 between Wimborne and Blandford Forum,
(well signposted) with their walking boots on to walk from the Rings to
Gussage All Saints along the Roman Road and back. The walk is easy to
do being flat, straight and clean and is a total of 10 miles.
Sponsor forms can be obtained by writing to or telephoning me at 29 Fortescue
Road Parkstone, Poole, BH12 2LH 01202 383787.
Of course, with the Foot and Mouth crisis still ongoing, we have checked
the route, and at this time, all footpaths are open and clear to walk.
Please do support us on this walk. The F&M put our last project at
risk, but it would be very sad indeed for the children in Albania, if
the final knock on effect would be to delay opening the "OAKS' home
so many hundreds of miles from England.
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KOSOVA VISIT
As selection of children for the 'OAKS' Home continues, some of the children
were given possibly their biggest test of suitability yet when Adam and
Marian took a two week break / work trip to Kosova and Macedonia returning
last week. The children were left entirely on their own to run the Mustard
Seed project home. Now at this point, I must add that although I call
them "children", they are over 14 years old, which is the age
that the Government in Albania expel them from the orphanages. At 14,
they have to fend for themselves and would often simply live on the streets.
The 'OAKS' will become home to a number of post 14 year old children,
giving them security and a real hope for the future. But our main condition
to them is that they must really WANT to be part of it, not simply use
it as a simple option.
On their return, Adam and Marian sent us this report:
...........At long last our curiosity got the better of us when, on the
16th of July we visited Kosova. We had resisted for so long because we
hate being tourists especially when the subject of interest is someone
else's suffering. The invitations and requests to visit were too many
and we finally gave in.
It was with some apprehension that we flew to Prishtina, not least because
we were flying 'Albanian Airlines', (Probably the only airline who's name
speaks cold fear into the hearts of its passengers). The airline lived
up to its reputation when the gentleman in front of us got covered with
the rubbish from the passengers behind when the air stewardess slipped
on the floor. The cabin crew frequently barked at any passenger who dare
move mid-flight. The other cause for apprehension was that for the first
time, the house was to be in total control of the boys who will enter
the "OAKS" project in September. Although we knew that it should
be OK, it was the first time, and anything could have happened.
The flight from Tirana to Prishtina takes about 30mins being about 170
miles between the two cities. Normally, the differences in the cultures
across that distance would not be that great, but when we stepped into
the NATO and UN protectorate the difference was startling. No chaos in
the airport, only order. Everywhere was clean and organised, what a difference
from Tirana. We thought we had entered a completely different world.
The first days were spent in Prishtina with a friend from England. She
is working with the new Baptist church there and is dealing with a lot
of humanitarian aid. She visits families from both sides, the Albanians
and the Serbs, so she hears both sides of the story. With her K.F.O.R.
pass we were able to go with her and tasted a bit of life in a Serb village
that is completely closed to others. Lots of army people around and no
freedom at all. No work for those people and the only way to survive is
to eat out of your own garden. Men, women and children are hanging around
on the streets, fear in their eyes and no desire to go on with life.
In the middle of Prishtina are several places with apartments that are
blocked in by the army to protect the Serbs living there. They don't have
a bright future. Once a week they get their fruit and vegetables and once
a month the other items for the kitchen like sugar, rice and so on. Their
children are not allowed to play outside and are only allowed to move
with the army. They have a special school were they go under army control.
The UN is planning to stay there for another 10 years but in our eyes
the problem will never be solved. All the orthodox churches belonging
to the Serbs and are under 24 hour protection by K.F.O.R. One minute alone
and the Kosovars will destroy it. Lots of mosques have been destroyed
but also many have been rebuild.
Everybody is building on his house and the mentality is good. For most
in Kosova hard work and long days are not a problem.
The second part of our time over there was spent with our friend Nadine
who moved there from the baby orphanage in Vlore to Mitrovica in Kosova.
Together with AMG, (Advancing Ministries of the Gospel) she is going to
set up a training centre exactly like our OAKS project but on a bigger
scale. She will also set up a day centre for those children with learning
difficulties who became orphaned two years ago during the war.
The idea is to feed them, to help them with their education and to give
them time to play and relax, and to try to repair the damage caused by
the war.
There are around the 1100 orphans walking around Mitrovica and they have
to select a maximum of 100 children at the beginning, to get to know them
and to pay attention to them. Nadine is a good friend of ours, and we
will keep in contact and share and encourage each other.
The difference in mentality between Albanians in Kosova and Albanians
in Albania is great. In Albania everyone waits for the government to make
improvements and decisions. When a road near a village is destroyed it
may well remain like that for years.
In Kosova, the people living in the village will find the finances together
to pay for the road and they will use their manpower to fix it as soon
as possible. They feel responsible for their area and are paying for it.
The rubbish problems are not as big. A good system is going on. Although
the war broke lots of things, they are still far ahead of Albania. If
only the Albanian could change their culture, Albania could very soon
become the great country it ought to be.
We even met some Kosovars who we got to know two years ago during the
refugee crisis. In that time we helped them in several ways and they were
thankful that we came to visit their country. They treated us in a very
nice way and showed us several beautiful things of Kosova. The talks that
we had with them were good and they are building a strong nation together
and are working on independence. We were touched to see them again and
to share with them again. We were certainly very thankful that we had
the opportunity to visit Kosova after being involved with the refugees'
two years ago.
The thing that sits on our minds constantly is all the graves that we
saw. Lots of people were killed, young people, from 14 onwards. It touched
us and we are heart broken. You really start thinking about it when you
see it and when you see their families. Lots of women are alone to take
care of the children, small children, their husbands killed - Unbelievable!
11 days later...........We took an aeroplane back to Tirana. A very small
one, 27 seater. We went up and down and were surprised that we made it.
When we came back home it was great to find everything in a good state
and shape. Nothing was touched; the boys behaved very well and took care
of the house. We are proud of them all. They were given a big responsibility
by being away and them having the keys. They did an excellent job and
it gives us a lot of hope for the project!
All for now.
Blessings, Adam and Marian
What Now ?
At the risk of hearing some readers sigh and say "here he goes again",
but for the benefit of the many people who telephone us and ask how they
can help, I really do want to sum up the many ways each reader or group
can help the work of The Albanian Orphans Mission.
1. Prayer is the greatest gift God has given us for our every day use.
We value your prayers and anyone working in places like Albania will tell
you that they really do feel the power of your prayers as they bring blessings
and protection upon them.
2. Each child joining the 'OAKS' Home will need sponsors. Perhaps you
might consider sponsorship, or inviting your Housegroup or Sunday School
group to sponsor a youngster who will benefit directly, and keep in touch
through regular letters and communications.
3. The Mustard Seed Project costs money. Perhaps you might like to make
a one off donation or even make regular ailcontributions towards this
work.
4. The Sponsored Walk this year is a major event in the A.O.M. calendar.
The more walkers we have, the quicker and greater will be the effect of
the 'OAKS' home. 100 walkers raising just £50 will give us the baseline
to open the home.
5. Perhaps the most overlooked point is that anyone who pays the basic
rate of Income Tax and makes any donation of any amount of money gives
us the opportunity to add a further 28 pence to every pound given provided
they have completed a Gift Aid Declaration.
For Sponsor forms to take part in the Sponsored Walk, or for further
information on any of these points, please contact
us:
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