Kristina Milaj

What an incredibly generous first 24 hours this has been! Your contributions have already covered nearly half of the funding needed for the school year. Thank you for your impactful generousity! Did you know: The number of children in many villages has been declining year after year, so it is especially encouraging to see an increase in the number of young children in Vrith.

For children across Albania, September 14th was an exciting day as they returned to school. For the children beginning pre-kindergarten or returning to kindergarten in Vrith, however, that excitement may be short-lived without the success of this fundraiser. Unfortunately, the local government has not assigned a kindergarten teacher to the village of Vrith. As a result, these young children must either commute to Dedaj, a distance of fifteen kilometers, on a public bus each day or stay home, neither of which is a desirable solution for them. The community is once again reaching out to AAI* for help in sponsoring a kindergarten teacher and opening the door to a world of learning for these children. But we cannot make them this promise without your support! There are 11 pre-kindergarten and kindergarten-age children in the village of Vrith/Razëm area, and a highly respected teacher with twenty years of teaching experience who is ready to guide and nurture them. We need to raise thirty-six hundred dollars to pay the teacher's salary full time for one year. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. Even $20 will keep the kindergarten doors open for one more day! Thank you for helping AAI answer this call! *Albanian Alps Institute (AAI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2003 and based in Corvallis, Oregon, with operations in northern Albania. AAI is dedicated to improving educational opportunities for children and youth in the rural and isolated villages of the Malsia e Madhe region. Through scholarships, school and library support, kindergarten programs, etc., AAI works to reduce educational barriers and help rural students achieve their academic goals. Please feel free to learn more about our organization and reach out to with questions: https://www.albanianalps.org/