An hour’s drive from the Albanian capital Tirana lies the village of Bitaj: a farming community of around 35 families, most of whom are related to each other. A mountain village—remote and forgotten by the world—that’s how it seemed when we first visited Bitaj. It was here, in Bitaj, that we started our work. This is where the foundation was laid for all the projects we have since carried out in Albania and Kosovo.
From hopelessness to HOPE
When we ‘discovered’ Bitaj, we wanted to do something there, out of a deep compassion for these Albanian people. We wanted to give them a real home again, a roof over their heads, and provide them with the basic necessities of life so that they could get back on track.
So we started by renovating the very first house—after which many more houses would follow. Houses that offer a safe place to families who do not have the financial means to do so themselves. In 2010, we built a solid school building, equipped with sanitary facilities and spacious classrooms. And various cow projects were started for poor families, giving them new opportunities for a livelihood.
In 2016, the new village hall, which also serves as a church, was completed. It is used for a wide range of activities and has become an important meeting place for the villagers. Thanks in part to the great efforts of our partners Alma and Pastor Berti Dosti from Lushnje, men, women, and children have found their way (back) to church! Over the years, so many wonderful contacts and personal relationships have developed with the residents of Bitaj, and they are always very happy to see “nje grup Holandeze.”
The children of yesteryear
When we visit Bitaj today, we realize how great the impact of all this work has been over the past years.
The young people, who twelve years ago were the children who went to the little school which we built for them are now active members in church life, musicians and students who soon will be making a difference in society.
The hopelessness of these villagers has turned into HOPE – how wonderful that we were able to contribute to that!