When I first visited Tirana on a sightseeing mission almost five months ago, I stumbled across an organisation called International Friends in Tirana (IFIT)- a group comprising of expats of varying nationalities that live in the city. It was through this group of friendly individuals that I had the pleasure of meeting the two Sue’s who I soon learned were involved in the running of and fundraising for a charity called The Valdete Trust.
What is The Valdete Trust?
A charity that is registered in the UK, The Valdete Trust funds a school for teenagers and young adults that are otherwise unable to access education within the country. Funded solely by donations (mainly from the UK) the trust is an independent aid organisation that brings help, education, and support to disabled individuals who have fallen through the cracks in Albanian society. Located just outside of the capital of Tirana, they offer lessons in English, Maths and other core subjects as well as providing physiotherapy, social events, and free transportation between the centre and the pupil’s homes. With 12 students currently enrolled, it is the dream of founder, Sue Davidson to reach out to other cities in Albania, to set up similar centres and organisations to help these youngsters realise their dreams.
The story of how the centre began is enough to bring a tear to the eye of even the most stoic of individuals, and without a shadow of a doubt, there is a book and maybe even a film in the full-length version.
Let us start at the beginning
Albania had always been a part of Sue’s life, even before she set foot in the country. Over 43 years ago her husband developed something of an obsession about Albania and its people. He became fascinated with its history and devoured every bit of information that he could, saying that one day he hoped to visit, should it ever be liberated from the grips of communism. Fast forward to the falling of the Berlin wall and hopes were high that liberation was on the horizon for the Albanian people, then one day whilst watching BBC news, he saw the statue of Enver Hoxha being destroyed and he knew it was time to realise his dream.
Within in two days of Sue and her husband setting foot in Albania in 2006, they had met another woman who was volunteering in a residential home for disabled children. Upon visiting this centre, their lives changed forever. Meeting the children that were living there, and the volunteers that were working so hard to help them changed their lives and they knew that this was something that they had to become involved in. Returning in January 2007 to volunteer, Sue became increasingly close to a young woman called Valdete. One of six children, Valdete’s family were struggling to take care of her and accessing the treatment that she needed to help her cope with her disability was completely out of reach.
Against all odds
This did not deter Sue and she spent 12 months raising the funds and handling all the paperwork required to take Valdete to the UK for life-changing surgery. Staying for 8 months, the surgery was a success and the private doctor who performed the operation even refused to take his fee and encouraged the board of the hospital to donate the funds needed to create The Valdete Trust. From there, Sue worked tirelessly to bring in funding to support the purchasing of equipment and the funding of treatment that was needed to help these individuals and then in 2012, she packed up her life into a minibus and drove across land to Albania.
The school opens
By 2014, the trust had acquired a license and today they now employ two full-time staff, two part-time staff, a cleaner, a driver, and a cook. They own a minibus which collects each student from their home and brings them to the centre, and they provide physiotherapy tailored to the needs of each student.
What makes this story even more incredible is the fact that if it was not for Sue and her persistent hard work and dedication, these students would have been unlikely to benefit from such opportunities. Prior to 2014, there was no law in Albania that provided for the education of disabled children and these individuals were locked away, never educated, and forgotten about. Even after the new law was passed, getting it enforced has been an uphill struggle due to the mentality that anyone with a physical disability, is not capable of learning or bettering themselves.
Overcoming prejudice
Sue told me a story of a time that she and Valdete visited the Ministry of Education and waited for almost four hours to speak to someone, only to be told that they had to visit another department. This department was up three flights of stairs and being offered no assistance with carrying Valdete’s wheelchair up, Sue was forced to leave her downstairs. Upon entering the office and asking to speak to the person responsible for admitting Valdete into the schooling system, the secretary informed her that her boss was out of the office and would return later. Refusing to be ignored, Sue left a leaflet about the Trust and the secretary said that her boss would call her back.
Two hours passed, and the phone call didn’t come. Marching up the three flights of stairs, when she arrived once more in the office, she was surprised to find the secretary in floods of tears. Her boss, the individual who was supposed to help Valdete access her right to education, had taken one look at the leaflet and thrown it away. But all was not lost as the secretary told Sue that what she was doing was an incredible thing and that she had a contact in a local primary school that would be more than happy to help her.
This was the turning point in the campaign and today, The Valdete Trust has four students that are studying at high school. These youngsters that were once forgotten, dismissed, and underestimated are creating a brighter future for not just themselves, but other disabled people in the country. They can read and write in English, are educated to at least a primary standard (and are progressing well), and Urblin is even a member of the national basketball team. These trailblazers, with the support of Sue and those that donate, are paving the way for ridding society of its old mentality, whilst reiterating the fact that they deserve everything that able-bodied people do and more.
A positive future
Can you imagine the heartbreak that one must feel to have all these hopes and ambitions, but to be unable to realise them because society views and treats you as a lesser human being? These youngsters are intelligent, smart, charismatic, funny, and ambitious people and they deserve the right to realise and surpass their potential in every way. To hear them speak about how their lives have been transformed is just the most incredible thing, and to understand that the person who has given them back their future, does it all through donations and her own hard work, is beyond inspiring.
How you can help
Whilst the future is looking bright for the Valdete Trust and the pupils are going from strength to strength, knowing where the next month of funding will come from is a black cloud that is always hanging over them. Whilst donations from the UK are steady, the concern is that should these stop, then she will have no option but to close the centre. The push is now on to encourage donations from people residing in Albania and to make them understand that education is a human right that we should all be entitled to, regardless of our physical form.
I have visited the centre, I have met the students, and I have spoken with Sue at length about her tireless work and to hear the passion in her voice, and to see the good that her work does for her students is a truly beautiful thing. To donate to the Valdete Trust to ensure that they can continue their excellent work, please follow this link.
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