Giving from the abundance of the heart, rather the pocketbook
Gjyste, 32, lives alone with her six children, between the ages of 1 and 13, in a small home. Her husband passed away roughly a year and a half ago, shortly after moving his family to Kolsh village from another area in north-western Albania, Shkodra. Their home, although small (with just two rooms for seven people) is a huge blessing, provided by the local Catholic Church, and a huge improvement to the hut, made of sheet metal they were living in before.
Although Gjyste is grateful for the support she has received, life has been difficult for her and its effects are easily seen etched into her withered and tormented face—caring for six children on her own is almost more than she can bear.
Kolsh is a small village, characterised by families living in poverty. To address the underlying issues, World Vision initiated a number of income generating activities: distributing olive trees and goats and providing trainings to name a few. Over the years, the farmers have been empowered to take control of the development of their community and inspired by World Vision’s example to help others. And, that is exactly what happened when members of World Vision’s economic development programme heard about Gjyste’s family and their situation.
“We saw the case on the news on one of our local TVs news programs. The news was shocking,” said Xhemal, 54, one of the most active farmers of Malecaj village. “The mother was in a desperate situation and the children totally hopeless,” he remembers.
“I thought about my children when I first saw those six hopeless faces in that house, “said Xhemal. My children have food but these don’t. ‘They deserve the same,’ I said to myself.”
Xhemal took action, organising and reaching to the other 23 farmers in the economic development programme. He thought that if they would work together and offer an amount of money, they would be able to buy the family some goats.
Changing the situation
So, the farmers started to act. Each one of them offered an amount, as much as they could and had in their hearts. Soon, the farmers had gathered $500 in total. “We decided right away to buy goats and we bought five, good ones, for them,” says Xhemal.
The day the goats were delivered was memorable not only for Gjyste and her children, but also for Xhemal. “The children could not hold the happiness and the joy. It was a beautiful moment, even for the farmers to see that how much you indicate the life of someone, even by a simple gesture like theirs. They appreciated our help in a way that we all were touched and proud for being able to help them. It was one of those moments that I will never forget.” Xhemal adds.
“Thank you so much for this wonderful gift,” said Gjyste. Her hands where shacking and her voice started to lose its power. “Now I will have a little milk to feed my children and cheese and butter,” she said.
One of many
In addition to helping Gjyste, the group helped other families in need as well. They donated milk, food packages for families, and helped some others dig the deep holes, needed to plant their olive trees.
“It is so precious to see what we have all been working so hard all these years for. Now, I realise all the hard work has paid off and it was really worth it,” says Emiljano Gjergji, World Vision’ Economic Development Coordinator.
“I am proud of the group that is doing such great helpful things. They are poor themselves, but their hearts are ready to offer what they have. This is probably the best result: I will remember seeing poor people come together in the same minds and hearts,” adds Emiljano.
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World Vision’s Economic Development Project has been improving the economic conditions in Lezha area for the last five years. Work stared first in Zejmen commune and then began in Kolsh, working with families in need.
There are 6,500 residents in total in the project area. The project was primarily focused on the cultivation of olive trees and raising goats and for milk production. The number of farmers in the area has been increasing through these years. As a result of years of training on the agriculture practices and several exchange visits by the farmers themselves to other cities of Albania, the farmers have been growing their knowledge as well as producing more goat milk, olives, and olive oil. All of which improve the farmer’s economy as well the overall economy of the area as a whole.
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