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