Never Give Up Hope

 



I came to live at the Home of Hope Orphanage in April.  April was also the first month that their sole donor sent no funds to the orphanage.  There was no advanced warning.  Just an email, which says; We are very sorry we can't send you money for April.  We will try to send you some in May.

There are 13 children living here and a dedicated staff.  What were they to do?  It was decided and agreed upon that everyone would work for free in April.  There was no other choice.  How many of us in America or in Europe would or even could work for free for one month?  The Home of Hope staff loves these children. They love their jobs, and there was nothing else they could no.  Except hope.  Hope that things would get better.  And pray.  Hope and Pray.

That's when they asked me if I could help them find funding. Me?  I am still a student drowning in reports, projects, and language.  I wanted to help but I didn't know how.  I too prayed for and with them.  And I thought and thought.  I shared my concerns with a fellow Rotarian and friend and he came up with an idea.  Let's finish the bakery that the orphanage started 6 months ago, he says.  Eventually, the bakery has the potential to help the orphanage become self-sustainable.  It is a great idea.  So the funds to finish the Home of Hope bakery are coming through Rotary and it is an answer to prayers and a reason to never give up hope.

But....Money moves slowly through Rotary.  Projects move slowly in Albania.  A bakery takes time to build.  It takes even more time for it to become sustainable.  And even more time for the bakery to help the orphanage become sustainable. How much time do we have?  Not much.  But we can't give up.  Ever.  There are no other alternatives. 

It is May now.  The donor sent 1/2 the usual money and said this is all they could send from now on each month.  Half.  It seems hopeless. It's definitely difficult for everyone. Today I attended the staff meeting.  I watched every staff member sign an agreement to accept the lowest wage acceptable by law, or what we in America call the minimum wage. There was no alternative.  What else could they do?  Imagine losing over 1/2 your salary or even more with no arguement. Imagine how difficult their already difficult lives are going to become!  How many of us could do this?  I witnessed it.  They were so strong.  It was ME who cried for THEM!  It will get better I say, "Don't give up hope".



The staff did this because they love the children. If the orphanage goes "bankrupt", what would happen to the children? I refuse to let it even be an option.  For I believe that those that are in the service of children and orphans are in the service of God.  And these are God's children.  They are his orphans, and He will provide a way for Home of Hope.  We can never give up hope!

"Home of Hope" Elbasan, Albania



Hope or Freedom?

 

"Before communism we had no freedom, but we had hope.  Now we have freedom, but no hope".  This is a statement from one of our speakers here in Albania. It is also an opinion I have heard from two other people I have had conversations with.  I've been thinking deeply about this.

What is more important in life; freedom or hope?  Do you have to lose one to get the other? On the good side, with communism everything and everyone was the same.  Unemployment didn't exist. Everyone had a house, job security, and basic food. Laws were obeyed and enforced so crime was very low. There are a few good things about communism that I had never taken the time to think about. Some people are nostalgic about it, and some don't even want to discuss it. It is very interesting to me.

On the other hand, the people lived with much more fear under communism.  People disappeared for many reasons.  It wasn't a good thing to be different or to stand out or to speak out.  There were many work camps and political prisoners.  Religious freedom was taken away.  There was even something called "mandatory" volunteer work, which to me seems like an oxymoron.

I'm not an expert on communism at all.  Not even close.  I only know what I am hearing and reading. I wouldn't like being told I couldn't practice my religion.  Albania was a very atheist country during communism and most churches and places of worship were destroyed.  I wouldn't like knowing that if I produced more or better work it wouldn't matter because we will all be paid the same no matter what. Young adult life hasn't been easy for my kids in the US and I wonder if they would have liked having a guaranteed job and a place to live regardless of their work ethic?  But for what price?

Another man I talked with had lived in London for 6 years.  He tried for years to get a work visa there but was unable to, so he had to return to Albania.  He says he feels he is living in a big prison cell.  Is life really so bad, I ask?  I have seen much worse in Africa, I tell him.  You have fertile ground to grow food, the home of your parents to live in, the freedom to worship and travel.  He still didn't think his life had hope.  He listed his complaints; horrible corruption in every government office, the need to pay bribes to get anything done, such large potholes in the roads that destroy vehicles, high levels of poverty, high prices, low wages, huge unemployment rate, unenforcement of laws, terrible medical care, etc. Even if a new political party won the upcoming elections, he feels it will just be bad leadership taking over the current bad leadership.  I just listened.  What could I say?

We are here to do what we can to help.  Albania is one of only a few countries that let US Peace Corps work in their government offices to help with the restructure of power and resources from the top (Prime Minister) to the bottom (local level).  We want to help get those resources to the people who need them.  We need to help get the resources down to the local level so they can fix their roads, provide social services to the poor, provide more job opportunities, and better medical conditions to the local people and so many other things.

It's an exciting time for Albania as they try to get into the European Union.  Next month is a big trial for them as they have a major election for prime minister.  Will it be Berisha, Democratic Party and in power for many years with a history of major corruption?  Or will it be Rama, leader of the Socialist Party, who also has a history of corruption?  If Rama wins, many current government leaders will be replaced with his own men. Many people have the potential to lose their jobs in this election.  It is a very stressful time for Albanians.  And it will continue to be so until the election on June 23rd. 

For us as PCVs, we are not involved in any way.  We are to sit back and watch the process unfold.  It is an experience of a life time.  I enjoy reading the newspapers and staying current on the finger pointing and fighting.  It's not so much different than our latest US election between Obama and Romney; lots of mud slinging and name calling and defamation!   

As to my original comment.  Can there be freedom AND hope?  Yes, I will always choose freedom first, because no one can EVER take your hope away.  With freedom,  I believe you can always hope things can become better....eventually.

Shtepia e Shprese (Home of Hope)

My new home for now. HOME OF HOPE ELBASAN, ALBANIA

13 new language teachers and 13 new friends.

Things changed quickly for me.  Two weeks after I arrived, the host mother where I was living went to Italy to be with her husband.  They left me with their 3 teenage kids.Time to move!  I have a new home now in Elbasan at the Home of Hope.  Home of Hope is an orphanage run by an amazing and dedicated staff. There are 13 children from 4 to 15 years living here. I have 13 new teachers of language, 13 new friends, and 13 new people to love and to be loved by. The place is spotless and the food is nutritious and delicious. Life is good.

Playing games with the children 

I have been here for two weeks now.  My first Saturday here was my daughter's birthday, April 27th.  I bought a cake, gathered up all the children, and we sang "Happy Birthday" to Kayla in both English and Albanian.  I uploaded it on FB for her.  It was SOOO beautiful and it made many cry. I miss my baby girl!

Kayla's Birthday cake spelled "Keila" here. 

Monda with the children.  They are SO READY to eat Kayla's cake!

I went on a hike with the children on May 1st on Labor Day.  We hiked into the hills outside of Elbasan.  We layed out some blankets and were resting in the shade of some beautiful olive trees, playing games, and eating a snack when a lady accosted us and yelled for us to leave her field. "We were smashing the grass that the goats needed to eat."  I didn't understand all she said, but she was mad!  We stayed.  We were "kokeforte" (head strong or stubborn).  Soon her husband came by and started to toss our blankets and shoes onto the path.  We held our position yet again.  BUT then he let the goats out into the field; very big and curious billy goats (big male goats).  The goats terrified the kids (me too)!  I thought they were going to eat our clothes, our fingers, and possibly us. It was time to go! RUN CHILDREN RUN!

RUN!   

I dont like the goats either, buddy!

For my project, I have identified many meaningful projects that can be done by Peace Corps volunteers as secondary projects on the orphanage side.  Projects like setting up and monitoring a reading program for each of the children with goals and rewards.  This will get them reading at an early age and open their minds to the adventure of reading.  Also teaching the older kids successful job hunting skills, how to write a resume, how to dress for success, how to interview and other job skills. The orphanage needs someone to write grants and proposals to find funds to finish a bakery they have started to build in order to become more self sufficient and less dependent on donors.  The bakery can employ and teach business skills for the older children who have to leave the home by the age of 16 years (3 of them face leaving this year). I just have so many ideas.  I wish I could stay here and do it all....

Relaxing under the trees... 



Each and every day is a gift of joy at the Shtepia of Shprese, or Home of Hope.  It is a Christian organization and I definitely feel the spirit here.  It has been food for my soul.  In fact, it is the first time I have come into such a spiritual environment since I left the US 3 years ago.  I needed this in every way. Every evening we read a few Bible verses and discus it, we say prayers before bed and before every meal. Sometimes I hear my name in the prayers the children say. All of this is done in total Albanian. I marvel how I ended up here.  What a blessing it has been to my life.

 

I read to the younger kids.  I play UNO, watch videos, teach English, learn Albanian, and help when they let me with anything that needs to be done. I am only here in the evenings as I leave for school early in the morning and return in the late afternoon when my homework is done. Every evening I get 13 hugs and kisses before bed. I love these children so much.  It will be hard to leave.

Other Staff at Home of Hope

The weather went from cold to hot in the past two weeks.  I love it.  I will never complain about the heat. No more heavy socks or boots or coats or long underwear or 10 blankets.  Everything is green and growing fast.  Days are passing too.  Next week I will visit Kocove, my new site.  I will meet the people I will be working with and see my apartment. It's a lot to look forward to.....

Last Sunday was Orthodox Easter.  I was invited to a friend's house, and it was quite a celebration.  Here we are holding an entire roasted sheep!

The Sheep is cooking on a spit. 

A large happy family, lots of great food, laughing, and good times! 

Sheep Head.  It's whats for dinner! 

...and even some dancing....