Youth raise funds to save a youth’s life

A group of 15 young people, between the ages of 15 and 22, who call themselves “Youth Vision” are often described as passionate, innovative, energetic and big-hearted. Even though they live in a poor country, they don’t let that limit their aspirations to build a better world and help those around them. The group, which began three years ago with the support from World Vision, have made numerous lasting impacts in their community and seem to be unstoppable.  

Recently, during one of their regular meetings, a World Vision staff member shared about Denis, a 17-year-old member of their community who was not enjoying life as they were because of a serious health condition, an irregular heartbeat, which needed immediate surgical intervention.

World Vision staff learned of Denis’s condition from his mother who approached World Vision for support when she learned that the cost of the operation would be $4,400 (USD) and that only one doctor in Albania could do this intervention. His mother was even more concerned when the doctor told her that if the operation wasn’t completed her son faced a 90 per cent chance of dying.  

“When [World Vision staff member] Besmira shared Denis’s story with us, I felt so sorry and strongly the desire to do something for him,” remembers Hedera, 18, one of the Youth Vision members. “I imagined myself in his situation and I said to myself that I should do something for him, for his life,” she continued.

As Denis’s father is disabled, his mother is left with the responsibility of caring for the three children and the house. Their economic situation is critical. No matter how hard they tried, they would not have been able save the money necessary for the operation; even the bank turned down her request for a loan to pay for the expenses.  World Vision agreed to provide $2,400 (USD) from the sponsorship emergency fund.

“When I told the youth that a mother came to our office asking for help to save her son’s life [the youth] were very touched and expressed their willingness to help this mother and her son,” remembers Besmira, head of sponsorship in Lezha World Vision office. Immediately, the youth began to brain storm ways to raise the remaining funds needed for the operation. They organized a meeting with Denis and his mother at World Vision’s office.

Denis had the opportunity to share his need personally with his peers. "When the doctor told me that my life was at risk, I felt very bad and I was scared", he remembers.

“It was visible that he was unhealthy because he had a different colour in his face and he was a little shy too; a boy of few words, and with a sad look in his face,” remembers Ani, 18. “Maybe he was embarrassed because he was in front of his peers asking for money that his family couldn’t provide,” he said.

Faced with this situation, the Youth Vision members organized a fundraising campaign. They planned a fundraising dinner with invitees from different areas of Lezha public and social life and made an arrangement with the host restaurant "Mrizi i Zanave" which agreed to provide the meals free of cost so that all the funds raised could go to benefit Denis.

       (Thanks to "Mrizi i Zanave" restaurant, which offered a cost free dinner and service during the event so that all funds would go for Denis’ surgery. 28 people, representatives from different businesses and other institutions of Lezha attended this event.)

Ana, 17,one of the oldest members of the group, noted that the Youth Vision group designed and distributed the invitations in two days. Twenty-eight people, representing different structures of Lezha society attended the event and by the end of the two-hour evening they had raised 140.000 ALL (more than $1,150 (USD). “We were happy to see that the box was filling with money, not only from the guests but also from other people who were in the restaurant,” shared Anna. In one evening, the youth were able to raise more than half of the money needed. To raise the remaining sum, they asked a local church if they would be willing to donate and they were.  

Once all the money was raised, the youth took it to the hospital (which had agreed to conduct Denis’s operation before the whole amount of money was available because of the severity of the case) to pay the balance of Denis’s bills. "World Vision and the youth I meet at their office made it possible for me to have the surgery," explains Denis.

Today, Denis enjoys good health and is able to enjoy life like his peers. He and his family are happy and very grateful to everyone who helped Denis in this difficult moment of his life. "Now, I feel very good, I enjoy good health. I want to say "Thank you" to everyone who helped me," shares Denis.

The youth are glad they could help as well. “We are proud of ourselves because with the help of World Vision and everyone we saved the life of one of our peers,” said Hedera. “This makes us to not [want to] stop here, but to start thinking of new initiatives to change our life and the life of every needy,” she added.

World Vision’s goal in working with youth is to provide them a space to express themselves; to build competencies and skills and to assist them in becomeing agents of change advocating for the most vulnerable.

In Albania, World Vision works with thousands of young people in over 260 often fragmented communities where their lives are severely limited by lack of jobs and opportunities. They often feel disconnected from their communities and not involved in decision-making. For this reason, World Vision Albania believes that helping youth reach their full potential is one of the most promising ways to invest in the future of Albania.

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