Hope and Aid Direct Registered UK Charity No. 1077146    The humanitarian aid charity that takes aid, not sides

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Hope and Aid Direct Winter Convoy of Humanitarian Aid 2007

If only all people were willing to share a little of what they have.

My last visit of the week will haunt me for a long time. We visited a woman who lived in a remote mountain village accessed off road in a 4x4. She had 5 children to care for. Her husband was a soldier, and was shot and killed possibly about 8 years ago. All her possessions had been lost during the war. There were only two windows left on the whole house, which did not make any difference to keeping out the cold as there were no doors at all within the home, to prevent the cold winds coming in during the harsh winters. If this was not dire enough, I could see no blankets. They had no mattresses and no water in the house. The food she possessed consisted of one bag of flour, a packet of salt and one tin . All she had was a wood burner to cook on and two tiny rotting tiny sofas for all the family to sleep on. No plates, no glasses, but one fork. How they have survived the winters I do not know. The most humbling experience of this visit was that even in this state, with no food, one of the teenage boys picked off the floor what looked like tiny crab apples, all of about 3 cm in size, to eat. He tapped me on the arm and offered me one too. Even now when I think of the trauma this family have been through and the struggle to survive with so little food, this young boy had the heart to offer the small amount he had. Each time I think of this gesture, it brings tears to my eyes. If only all people were willing to share a little of what they have, and a little more time for others less fortunate, how much happier the world be.

The convoy experience is very life changing. You see things that break your heart, you see strength and survival beyond belief, and you meet the most amazing people on the convoy who have taken the time to make a difference to others no matter how big or small. I would recommend this trip to anyone, and only wish I had known about these convoys before now. I cannot wait to go again.
Linda Di Michele

Maggie's Diary of the Winter Convoy 2007

People say to me" How was Croatia, or was it Rumania you went to?" When I say Kosovo they don't bat an eyelid and why? Because there's so little in the media about it and they assume it's up and running without need for help. Wrong! So how do we get it through to the people here? Any ideas?
Here's a brief account of Maggie's experiences this time...
We, that is me, Coxy and Oli, flew into Pristina 2 days ahead of the flying crew as we needed to see how the chicken project was coming on in Ferizaj. After a pleasant evening with Dr Lulee and Faruk we stayed at the hotel Ora and met people from "Hendifer", who took us to Ferizaj.
About Hendifer....
It is a local charity that makes and repairs equipment for the physically disabled. It is a great workshop, run by disabled people and provides a wonderful service to thousands, many of whom suffered during the war. They rely entirely on donations. Their workshop was funded by the World Bank and world Vision, but the funding is stopping March 2008. They don't know what they will do and praying funding will come from somewhere. They take many casualties under their wing with so little with which to work. They are short of even basics like dressings. We saw a set of their pictures, too gruesome to show you. If anyone wants to know more please email me (maggie@thedinnerset.freeserve.co.uk). Hendifer has friends who will let them use land to start chicken farming to provide work for a few of their members and the profit would go to help the disabled people who are in dire straights.
They brought a translator along, a guy called Lumi, who turned out "ace" and wants to help Hope And Aid whenever we come to Kosovo. More of his story later.
The chicken project is doing well. The "Railway" camp social worker is pleased and surprised that not one of these chickens have been slaughtered for food. They are healthy, well cared for and have brought the group together. They still squabble but not about the chickens. They bought a few more out of their pittance of a social payment and feed, which recently ran out. We bought another 40 chickens out of Coxy's chicken fund and more feed. They know that when this feed goes it is up to them. I honestly think .they will continue in spite of the price of grain escalating. Our feeling is that if this can work for the most difficult group of people, then this can work practically anywhere.
At the end of the convoy there was much aid still available so I quickly suggested sending it to Ferizaj. There are thousands of families on the breadline here, so via the Social worker and the Hendifer people, both of whom we trust implicitly. a large amount of aid will be shared among the poorest people, some of whom are severely disabled. A few medical items went to Hendifer. I hope we'll be able to take more next time.
Let me tell you about Lumi, our translator.
He is 21 and made friends with Oli, a first time convoyer. With his family he was taken to a camp in Macedonia shortly after war broke out. Just before this he had to bury the burned bodies of his relatives, who had been seen trying to flee to the hills. Later the family was sent to Wakefield, Yorks where he learned English and worked as a hairdresser in his spare time. His school reports from Wakefield show a bright, honest student incredibly keen to learn. Since returning to Kosovo he is trying to study English in Pristina but has no money for the course. He earns just over €100 a month as a hairdresser and keeps his family on this. Much of this is spent on medication for his mother who is a diabetic and also takes Thyroxene. His house needs windows upstairs but they are better off than some.
Lumi's mother's brother lives in Lipjan. He has 7 daughters, all born before the war, and had a good job in a factory before it was closed as a result of the war. Now he is dressed in rags and pathetically thin. His €40 a month has to stretch to 9 people.
There was even more aid left on the morning we were returning to UK, so I suggested some went to this family and others in a similar situation. They just stood there in amazement at this aid, and were so humble. It's so sad to know that so many people had a reasonable life and now next to nothing, through no fault of their own. Lumi made them promise not to touch any of the aid until he returned the following day. I am 100% they will get a little, as will equally needy families who have never had aid.
Being involved with other projects I didn't see many of the poorest cases in the mountains and villages, but all in all, and hearing the stories of others, this is the most worthwhile convoy I've done. Please can we use Lumi again. He doesn't have money for petrol, so we need to give him expenses, but his big heart, easygoing but sensible nature, and translating skills could be invaluable to Hope and Aid.
I will be collecting for the Easter Convoy and concentrating on educational materials. Education is the future of the country. Books can take up a chunk of SS payment so many ( like Lumi's Uncle) can't afford to send 4 of his children to school. Books, exercise books, school stationery should be on the top of the wish lists. Lots of schools are starting English at 8 years so children's reading books are collectibles!
Thanks to Chas and the team for organising this convoy and giving me the opportunity to be able to help others and have fun doing so!