Today is Albanian Independence day,
it's 99 years since Albania was freed from its Ottoman rulers. In
2012, I desire to see a different sort of freedom hit this nation.
Freedom from poverty, Freedom from the prejudice of the nations.
Albania is the poorest nation in Europe after Moldovia. The communist
regime that collapsed in 1991 left a people who had been isolated for
best part of 50 years; everything was primitive; most were poor but
worse, communism stole the people's identity and to a large extent,
Albanians are still wrestlng to rediscover who they are. It is sad
that they are still treated with much suspicion.
I've just spent an hour with a local
guy who lived in Tunbridge wells for some years. He fills our cars
with fuel at a local garage where he now earns £3.50 (4€ or $5.40)
a day. There seems to be something completely unjust about his
situation. He works 6 days each week which produces £87.50 (100€
or $135) a month, with money he supports his wife of 18 months, 6
week old baby and maintains a home.
Problem … this situation is
reproduced 100's if not 1000's of times in this nation.
Yesterday the bell rang; (we have a
bell at the gate), so I went out, there was a poor old man begging
for food – Oliver gave him some tangerines and we gave him a little
cash to go buy some bread... this situation is repeated many times...
It's a challenge and I wonder if the
current financial collapse is a judgement upon prosperous so called
civilised nations who refused to cancel third world debt and care for
the poor and needy. There is an attirude that say's “Let's keep
these people out” an thereby keeping them trapped in poverty. Yes,
Albania has a fair share of corruption and has a share of organised
crime - it's part of the survival syndrome, however most Albanians
are happy with a quiet life if they can simply provide a life for
their family. I wonder if the crisis will cause a redistribution of
wealth, however I also wonder if in the face of financial chaos,
those who are used to living on very little might have a headstart on
those who are used to having so much.
