A Special Christmas Appeal

from Sister Imelda Poole IBVM (Loreto) from Albania

“The Faith Community in Middlesbrough has always been loyal companions for justice and with the poor, on the journey which we have taken as IBVM(Loreto) sisters, first in Port Clarence, where the work of the Middlesbrough Diocese still continues and now in Albania.

photo of a visit to Tropoje, Albania

This partnership with the Middlesbrough Diocese in Albania continues to be essential until Albania has managed to work its way out of the terrible aftermath of 500 years of occupation of constant tyrannical rule.

The present reality is that a large majority of Albanians live on less that $1 a day. Many live in the mountains or in shanties on the edge of towns where they have come, in desperation, to find work where there is no work and where there is no land to till.

photo showing poverty in Albania

The situation in Albania is made worse by the fact that corruption dominates most of its statutory systems which means that the government, the medical service and the education service is not functioning effectively. A doctor or a teacher earns no more that 200 Euro a month. The food prices are increasing and many medicines need to be bought if you are sick. It is all so hard.

Here, in Albania, we need your help to provide medicines and medical equipment for many ambulatories that rely on foreign aid. We need help in developing our projects for the education of street children and we need help to provide shelter for trafficked victims who are deported back to Albania from European countries.

photo of a family in Klos Fan, Albania

My work takes me to the most isolated and marginalised regions of Albania as the coordinator for Caritas Albania of 54 diocesan health clinics. I have also used funding from the UK to launch a project for street children in Albania, many of whom are roma children. In June, this project opened a new kindergarten near to one of the roma communities. Thirdly my work has led me to work with girls who have been trafficked and deported back to Albania. I work with these girls one day a week. Sadly a great deal of funding has been reduced for many projects in Albania due to the needs in Africa. We realise that there are crisis needs in that continent but it means that projects like ‘Different and Equal’, who work with 40 trafficked girls, either in a shelter or in apartments, are now in crisis and need aid for essential needs.”

“Please will you help?”

Donations can be sent to Father Damian Humphries OSB, Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Grace, 18 North End, Osmotherley, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 3EA. Please make cheques payable to “The Loreto Albania Donation Account.”

John Hinman writes:

“Sister Imelda Poole is a remarkable member of the religious community and is coordinating the work of 54 health clinics in Albania as well as setting up projects for street children, roma families and trafficked girls in Albania. (We also continue to support her fine legacy of care and devotion in Port Clarence.) In addition Sister Imelda has made it her personal responsibility to ensure that all medicines and supplies are purchased from reliable sources in Italy and safely delivered to the clinics and projects in Albania. A magnificent achievement in a country that sadly has a notorious reputation for corruption. All income received will be safely sent to Sister Imelda in Albania.”

“We are proud of our Parish association with the work of Sister Imelda and the Loreto Sisters. Please join us in helping the sick and vulnerable in Albania this Christmas.”

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