A kitchen for Dona

Hello fellow supporters of the good cause 

Three weeks ago after only a few days in Albania something magical happened to me. By different circumstances I was brought to the rural place of Përmet in the South of Albania when I saw that open hearted smile of Dona for the first time and have now been seeing it every day since because I wasn't able to leave her or that place from that day on. Dona, a woman strong like a rock, kind like an angel, caring like a mother, hardworking like a farmer and loving like a saint. As she said this morning: "I will die happy if only I can sleep one night in my own house before I die".

As I had started looking behind the curtains of the Eco family Camping not only did I find that my new home was in the worst living conditions but that Dona and her husband Beni have been struggling all their lives fighting for the good, having no financial resources whatsoever, trying to finance their beloved daughter's studies. They have been putting a lot of hard work into their dream of creating a home for all travellers (forgetting themselves over it while every day juggling between doing tours for their customers, cooking, cleaning, cutting grass, washing their own and campers' bed sheets, feeding the animals, watering the plants and keeping the ground in moderate condition), coming from nothing, having no financial stability, trying to sustain the surrounding environment, specifically the beautiful river Vjosa, which is threatened by giant oil and gasoline concerns, actively initiating projects, signing petitions, protesting, going into dialogue with the government.

For further information about the situation click the following link:
https://exit.al/en/2021/04/24/vjosa-river-being-explored-for-oil-residents-we-dont-want-them-here/

As they forget about themselves even for the most basic needs, Dona, not having left the camp ground for over a year, owning only a bed where they nearly freeze to death in winter time, next to their fridge and the two-plate cooking stove, not being able to pay their electricity or water bills, eating spoiled food and falling asleep in the middle of the day from sheer exhaustion being overworked and malnourished.

The camp ground has been family property for generations and is therefore their whole life and all they literally have. As they are the most modest and moderate people they do not take any money for themselves whatsoever while Dona is supplying everyone, fulfilling their needs with the least of equipment and space but always with a smile on her face and words of wisdom on her lips.

With the project "A kitchen for Dona" I wish nothing more but to build a place for her in which she can take care of her guests the way she deserves, equipped with the basics and with enough space; and to receive help from other people as well, to earn money for her daughter's studies, retain their family ground, to sustain the environment in the long run to not have it destroyed by huge oil companies and capitalist businesses. While I hope they can continue to run their own camping and maybe at some point be able to actually have a house, a warm place to sleep. A place for her to meet their daily basic needs, have enough food in the fridge, a roof over their head and a warm bed to sleep in. I am not sure what is the number one priority that is most urgently needed starting from solar panels, through toilets over a kitchen. But I wish for them to be able to use it for whatever is needed most to maybe plant the seed for a true home.

Anyone supporting this would be a part of a better future for a hardworking family on the edge, trying to serve our planet and therefore be as well part of the big picture of changing not only the future of one family but maybe also the future of our planet, natural surroundings and environment, the Vjosa river, the forests and mountains in the area.

Don't hesitate to ask me for any further details about the project. For more pictures, videos and info go to:

Instagram.com/berlinlin88 

or

Instagram.com/my_spiritual_ego

or

Instagram.com/albturist.permet


Thank you so much for your support! Help us spread the words for this project.

 
Love Lina & Vera