Albert, Aida, and Viktorija Ahmeti came into our lives this December. They moved from Albania to the little town in Italy, where we spend a few months each year. Albert struggled with hairy cell leukemia. Not receiving proper care in Albania, he, his wife, and daughter fled to Italy. If properly treated, hairy cell will remit, allowing a patient to live comfortably.

The Ahmetis ended up living in a single apartment with 8 others, two of whom are mentally unstable. Returning from school in the afternoons, Viktorija would lock herself in the single bathroom until her parents arrived.

A local woman approached my wife Lisa, knowing that we have an apartment in which we house guests. Donatella asked if we'd consider letting the Ahmetis stay there for a few months. Albert needed to have an official address in order to secure his residency. We agreed, delighted that we could help a family who had left so much behind. A contract has been written and submitted to the community. Albert's residency is well underway.

The Ahmetis left everything behind. Their two sons (19 and 16) are currently living in Germany with family friends. Albert was a successful plumber for 30 years. While they have our apartment for as long as they need it, they have little else. Aida is currently cleaning a vacation rental. When they 'moved' into Stia, they carried their worldly goods up the piazza in a shopping bag, each one with a handle as they walked.

I wish for them to be comfortable. If things work out, a used car would be a dream come true.