By Rosamund Roan - Fundraising Manager
This year we had what I am told was ICA’s most successful development tour to date due to the painstaking preparation that had gone in to it by David and Holta.
Our party was made up of seven intrepid donors, Holta, David, myself and an excellent new driver Wilson. It was a whistlestop tour of some of our families in the north, including the widow Donekia Shabi and her five daughters one of which had written a very impressive letter in English for us. It was a pleasure too to meet the Lelcaj’s, the elderly couple whose house ICA has completely built from scratch which they are so grateful for, though the odd further refinement was clearly needed in doors that were large enough for the apertures, they never stopped smiling. Seeing how these families lives have been transformed since their association with their donors really is obvious when meeting them in person.
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We
stayed the first three nights in Skhodra, the regional capital and one
of the highlights for me was visiting the Venetian and Ottoman Rozafa
Castle at dusk with incredible views over Lake Skhodra and the mountains
beyond, which we had virtually to ourselves. The romance and beauty of
the place prompted one of the eldest amongst our party to scale the battlements,
much to the consternation of those in charge! |
From there we drove to Tirana to visit the Learning Difficulties Centre and meet the Dukas, a very inspirational couple who were clearly in need of a break but were very much loved by the clients. What struck me there was the very high quality of arts and crafts the clients had made, in fact one of the most impressive works was a giant wall hanging of a big cat that two of our party bought and is now hanging in their study.
From there we carried on to Elbasan with its vast chrome plants still belching black smoke into the sky. Here we visited a disabled charity and heard from the co-ordinator how he lost his lower legs when escaping the Nazis during the war having to hide in a freezing cave in the mountains.
The standard of the hotels were remarkably good as was the food with an abundance of excellent salads and vegetables and the friendliness of everyone we met was a revelation. I had assumed they would be out to make as much money from the few tourists that came their way as possible but the opposite was true. In a photocopy shop they refused to charge me and no one pesters you for money walking around the streets.
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In
Elbasan we were taken to the Women’s Forum that we mentioned in
our last Appeal. It gave the impression of being extremely well run by
some very well educated and talented individuals but they were worried
about being able to continue beyond the end of next year when their main
sponsor’s money runs out. Though we didn’t get to meet any
of the clients the artworks on the walls that they had created spoke volumes
about the pain they have suffered. That afternoon we met Valentina, a
woman who for years was abused by her husband. ICA has helped her to gain
her independence by funding her through a catering course and she now
works in a restaurant seven days a week. |
Valentina
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Our
last day was spent at the seaside city of Durres which the locals hope
will become a tourist spot like the Riviera one day but the scores of
empty apartment blocks built to cater for this boom belie this optimism. |
A
couple of written quotes we received from donors after the tour were:
‘It is certainly a very worthwhile charity – and I do hope more
sponsors will be forthcoming.’ and
‘I thought it was very well paced and yet again provided a clear understanding of all that ICA is doing and the challenges it faces in achieving its objectives.’
Our next Development Tour will take place in the Spring of 2011, we do hope
you will think about joining us then.
Please note ICA no longer collects Inkjet and toner cartridges due to the market
no longer paying a decent price for them. However if you live locally and are
ever thinking of updating your computer equipment please think about donating
your old machine to ICA via Patrick Wheatley in Urchfont on 01380 840108. We
will either give it to someone in the UK in return for a donation or, if a laptop,
take it out to Albania.
We have recently taken receipt of five reconditioned laptops kindly donated by Intel in Swindon, which we are taking out to Albania and giving to the disabled group in Elbasan, who need computers for vocational training to help them find work.
Another way of raising funds for ICA would be to host a lunch, supper or drinks party for friends and ask them to leave a donation for ICA. Now that everyone is back from their Summer holidays and the nights are drawing in, there’s no better way to beat the blues than to invite friends over for some delicious food and a catch-up and you can do it in the knowledge that you’re helping less fortunate people in Albania at the same time. If you would like any ICA brochures then please get in touch.
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Anyone
who feels like doing something more energetic for ICA or knows someone
who might, Discover Adventure organises group treks and bicycle rides
that you can do to raise money for charity. Every Summer they have two
camping treks across the Ridgeway from The White Horse of Uffington to
Avebury (see photo) with next year’s dates being 25th-27th June
and 20th August – 22nd August 2010. Find more details and all trips
at: www.discoveradventure.com. |
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