Visiting new places in my home country: from shock to feelings of hope
We accompanied her in one of the nearby villages, part of the area development program. Unlike a usual December day, this one was rather warm and sunny, a perfect day to enjoy the panorama of northwestern Albania. Besides, I always love to travel in new places.
The boutiques with their extravagant designer clothes, the fancy cars, and the beautiful scenery are only a nice façade hiding the misery and a shocking poverty in the country. The village of Markatomaj is only 20 minutes northeast of Lezha town; it might as well be 20 centuries away. Rocky hills surround the village, and land sliding is a common phenomenon in the area. Land sliding, however, is the least of the problems. Seniors, women, and children face many of life’s struggles alone since, the men in the village emigrate in neighboring countries in search of work. Families in Markatomaj survive on the crops of their land and on one or two cows. That in itself is challenging, a rocky terrain that lacks irrigation does not produce much. Up to a year ago, walking long distances in search of water was part of the daily chores of every family in the village.
“I used to tie Jurgen by his feet and send him down the water canal, I was afraid that I couldn’t help him if he fell inside". Shivers covered my own body as I thought of little Jurgen being tied by his legs to go down a water canal in the cold of winter, or heat of summer Our first stop was at the house of Flora. She was not older than 30, but the challenging life had left an imprint on her face, making her look much older. Markatomaj did not have drinking water or easy access to it up to a year ago. “I use to walk 4 Km back and forth with my little boy to get water.” said Flora in response to my question as she pointed at five-years-old Jurgen with his deep blue eyes staring at me. “I used to tie Jurgen by his feet and send him down the water canal, I was afraid that I couldn’t help him if he fell inside.” Jurgen’s fantasy world was not a room filled with the most expensive and coolest toys, rather, a warm home with running water. Instead of thinking of Superheroes like most kids do, thoughts of walking many kilometers in the cold winter days to get water occupied Jurgen’s mind. Shivers covered my body as I thought of little Jurgen being tied by his legs to go down a water canal in the cold of winter, or heat of summer.
The half-destroyed, mold covered, dirt-floor, house of a widow, was the next stop of the journey. She lived there with her five children, since her husband died. The most insensitive person would feel compassion in front of such poverty. My eyes filled with tears at the sight of this mother and her young children. I wonder how she lives only on US$50 per month, a pension of her deceased husband, when the average cost of living per month is US$400. We visited two other families and a local school. Each visit revealed new elements in the real picture of my country covered with suffering, poverty, and hopelessness. Despite the tremendous poverty, their hospitality and warm conversation surpassed that of all the places I have visited before.
A year ago World Vision started a project that brought water in the homes of the families of Markatomaj village. The community greatly contributed to the water project as well. They spoke with pride, how they as a community, cared for and helped maintain the new pipes. “All of us pay the water bill to the local government even though it is 10% of our household income” said one of Flora’s neighbors. “We have water in our homes now, I don’t have to reuse the water to give a bath to my kids” said Flora with gratefulness in her voice. “It is a blessing from God that we have water in our home” continued Flora. “It has considerably improved our lives and that of our children.”
My eyes filled with tears at the sight of this mother and her young children. I wonder how she lives only on US$50 per month, a pension of her deceased husband, when the average cost of living per month is US$400 Through this project they saw the benefit of working together and gained confidence in themselves. I was encouraged to see the signs of change and new hope in the community. “Poor and in need, but certainly not forgotten” I thought. The day came to an end, we headed westward as did the sun, leaving Markatomaj behind us.
Gerta Yzeiraj is World Vision’s new communications manager in Albania and reported on her first field visit to one of World Vision’s community development programmes.