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Welcome
to the Autumn 2011 edition of our Newsletter
The Spring 2011 Donor Development Tour
was a great success with the Wheelchair factory in Vore creating a lasting impression
with how well run it is and the quality of the wheelchairs produced.
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The
donors on the trip were the first to be introduced to the Voskopoja area
and the more energetic were kind enough to act as guinea pigs for some
of the trails that will be walked in the first Eco-Tour next month. A
favourite moment for many was watching the sun come up over the spectacular
mountain scenery when out at dawn to spot bears. That time they got away
but there was evidence of their presence all around. One person remarked
that there is good scope for many different activities and interests such
as mountain biking, mountain climbing, botanists and those interested
in animal husbandry and keeping bees. |
One draw
of the area was visiting the semi-abandoned village of Shipske that
currently has just five families left fighting for their survival. The
Eco-Tours will be able to directly put money in their pockets as one
of them has a ‘mountain hut’ that can be opened for the
tours where they can sell drinks and soup and firewood to make a cosy
base for the wolf watching trips at dawn or dusk or even a base for
the night. It is also our hope that eventually some of the walkers who
meet these families might feel moved to sponsor them to ensure their
wellbeing irrespective of the numbers of people that book on the tours.
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Another
highlight of the area for those on the Development Tour was the extraordinary
quality of the frescoes on the Orthodox Churches especially those of the church
in Shipske. In time we hope that the people of Shipske and Voskopoja will recognise
the importance of maintaining their cultural heritage and as more people visit
the area bringing much needed money to the area some of it will be able to be
spent on the upkeep of these beautiful churches.
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Meeting
Valentina Faqoli and her lovely children was also a highpoint, the marked
contrast between the laughing relaxed woman who cooked lunch for everyone
this year and the very shy and visibly upset woman of two years ago speaks
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We
are still working on getting Festim Bebri the shepherd in Voskopoja livestock
guard dog puppies from Kosovo that will be able to help his domestic dogs
ensure the safety of his flock. The first puppies were not up to standard
so we await the next available brood. |
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On
the recent Development Tour some
of you met Savitrie Baichoo an alternative therapist that has worked with survivors
of the Srebrenica massacre and concentration camps, who since then has been
volunteering in Albania giving massages and teaching people how to give massages
themselves to clients at the Learning Difficulties Centre, disabled people through
ADRF and victims of trafficking. Her initial work was well received and she
is keen to return again to Albania to continue building on this success.
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Our
work with the disabled is one of the most important projects we support,
as they are one of the most disadvantaged groups in the country. The most
recent recipients of wheelchairs have been members of the Egyptian community
in Tirana, an elderly lady waiting for a hip replacement and clients of
the Learning Difficulties Centre. Next on our list is fixing Engel Zotaj’s
electric wheelchair. Also the workshop in Elbasan where wheelchairs can
be mended, without having to be sent back to the factory, is proving a
great success. |
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Another person
whose life has dramatically improved thanks to ICA’s work with the
physically disabled is Fredi Demiri, a 7-year-old boy living near Lushnja.
His family are extremely poor as his father has health problems so is
unable to work much of the time. When we were put in touch with him he
had only 20% hearing and couldn’t afford to get a hearing aid. With
the kind help of the Hastings Lions Club Used Hearing Equipment Project
we have found him two hearing aids, which are a near perfect match for
him. By the time you are reading this Newsletter he should be back enjoying
school and being able to communicate well with his family and friends. |
If
you or anyone you know would like to offer their professional services for free
in Albania such as teaching English, medical services, cataloguing the plant
and animal life around Voskopoja or writing up a history of the churches in
the area please do get in touch with us.
Just
Text Giving There is now a new even easier way to give to ICA
via text message on your mobile phone. Just text ICAU01 to 70070 with the amount
you want to give (up to a maximum of £10).
Staff
changes:
After thoroughly enjoying her two years at ICA, Fundraising Manager Rosamund
Roan has decided to leave us to spend more time at home with her two young daughters.
There will be more about her replacement in the next Newsletter. Meanwhile in
Tirana the ACA office is growing with the arrival of Minerva a retired volunteer,
fluent in English who has been helping Holta with administration.
Christmas
is yet again fast approaching, rather than agonise about what to give your family
and friends this Christmas, why not give them a donation to ICA? One valued
supporter has done this for the last couple of years: we print out a statement
saying a donation has been given (no need for them to know the amount if you
don’t want them to) and a little about the work we do which is put in
one of our Christmas Cards. You can now order your ICA Christmas Cards for £7.50
for a pack of 25. An order form with all the details is enclosed.
Visits.
Eco Tours 2012 We are now running the eco walking tours to Voskopoja
twice a year so the dates are 28 April – 5 May and 6-13 October 2012.
Development Tour 2012 We are now running the development tours annually so the
next one will be 13-18 October 2012 following on from the eco walking tours.
You could even do both! We will send you more details in the next newsletter.
Changes
to standing orders Also a request from Camilla, if you have
a standing order with us and your giving circumstances change please let us
know, any way you like, email, phone or post, as this will save us money in
administration time.
ICA
Church View Patney Devizes Wiltshire SN10 3RD UK
Tel: + 44 (0) 1380 840990 Fax: + 44 (0) 1380 840166
e-mail: icauk@btopenworld.com Web Site: www.ica-uk.co.uk
