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My name is Dr. Steve Cook, president of the Alps Institute http://www.albanianalps.org 

I first went to Albania in 1992, and have returned 17 times.  I always took stuff when I went, but in 2001 I focused, and hired an English teacher in one village.  In 2002, my wife accompanied me and we set up a computer lab in the same village school--something that most city schools did not have.  In 2003, with the "carrot" of a $10,000 donation in front of us, we formally organized as a 501-c-3 corporation with the US Gov't., with the State of Oregon, and with the Albanian Government.

Since that time, we have put $15-20,000 each year into the 1000 students of Shkreli Komuna.  Our total involvement is over $200,000 into projects.  In addition to an English teacher in three villages, we have:   Over 20 students on various scholarship each year; Put nearly 3,000 books into school libraries--the only library books in most schools; Repaired school buildings; Provided supplies and equipment; Built toilets; Provided computers; In 2009 we had a $17,000 project to test all student eyes and provided glasses to 90 students. 

I started this organization because I was always skeptical of the "biggies" that the media focuses on.  How much of my donation REALLY reaches people on the ground?  When I carry a banana box of translated library books to a school and hand them to the librarian, I KNOW that my donor's contributions reached the school.   We have no "overhead" or "administrative" expenses subtracted from donor's contributions, as my wife and I cover all these expenses from our own resources.

Do people on the ground appreciate it?  It varies.  Many parents are apathetic, administrators sometimes hostile, but the kids are unequivocal in their support.  Especially for girls, we may be their only out of an arranged marriage.  This year I convinced two fathers to send their girls to high school.  I said I'd pay for the Catholic dorm room near the high school.  They are the FIRST girls from their village to attend high school  The Albanian Alps Instute changed these girls lives.  Wow!

It is an amazing feeling to see a life changed because of your direct actions.

posted 1 year, 9 months ago
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