Loris and the IMPACT youth group in Lezha, valuable community contributors

Loris’ journey as part of the IMPACT youth group in Lezha began three years ago. The group has undertaken various initiatives on a monthly basis, but while expressing his goals for the future, the 14-year-old says he’s proud of the community and his peers’ commitment to help his community’s children and families most in need precisely in times of emergencies.

After the earthquake in November 2019 Loris’ youth group raised awareness for all students to collect material goods for affected children and families. The youth managed to support 50 families with food packages and distributed 100 clothing packages such as adult and children's clothing, blankets, and sheets. Despite the unusual situation, they also thought of the children of these families, and within their means, they collected and distributed gift toys.

But their community support initiatives did not stop there. Loris tells us that a second challenge for them as teenagers was the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He says that many families faced unforeseen situations and great economic difficulties and he felt like he had to do something to help them.

On December 20, which is known as the International Human Solidarity Day, the IMPACT youth group from Lezha committed to include other young people so that they could also donate food to families in need.

“After the voluntary donation and the counting of the contributions collected, at the end, we managed to provide a large amount of food and various items and we chose to distribute them to some children, who are members of the Roma community families,” Loris says.

In addition to emergency cases, Loris tells us that his group counts several other fruitful initiatives undertaken over the years such as the project: “The art of public speaking,” organized by World Vision Albania with all schools in Tirana, where their group won the national debate on resolving situations that affect their respective communities.

“As a young person, I want the best for the country where I live and the desire for the country to become an EU member is very great,” says Loris. “As a member of the IMPACT group, I want to show my potential just like my peers, because the city and community I belong to have extraordinary resources: natural, tourist, agri-cultural and historical resources, and if these are provided to future generations, not only Lezha, but all of Albania will be the country we want and dream of.”