For Sotir, there’s no shame in doing all kinds of jobs in order to provide for his family. What does hurt is being far away from those he loves: his wife, their three children and Sotir’s elderly parents.
“Being very poor, I was forced to go to Greece, looking for ways to provide for my family,” he says. “It is why I wasn’t able to develop my old family tradition of farming even though I always knew its importance.”
After the collapse of the communism system, many Albanians had to leave the country to find work. This was one of the factors leading to the crumbling of a centuries-old farming tradition. Most of the people who remained at home were children and women.
Away from home
Even though he worked very hard abroad, four years ago Sotir had to take a large loan from the bank to build a new house for his family. The old one was uninhabitable. He still owes more than $9,000 to the bank, while their regular family income is just $70 a month.
“I worked like a slave, but our life has not improved,” he says. “I invested my life in another place, in things that weren’t mine. Now I understand our old proverb: like the stone that was created to stay in its place.”
Reviving a livelihood
One aspect of farming Sotir always regretted losing was animal husbandry. “It is why I was so enthusiastic when World Vision came to me and talked about this possibility,” he says.
Thanks to the World Vision Gift Catalogue, 17 families in the village have each received herds (21 sheep for each family, 20 ewes and 1 ram). This project aims to promote the old tradition of framing in this area and help families generate income locally.
Bringing joy
“I like the sheep; because they are great, they give us milk, cheese and yogurt,” says Sandri happily. The grandmother shares that the best moment for Sandri was the birth of the lambs. He enjoyed that time so much.
“The lambs are growing up faster than me and now I can’t hug them easily, but my dad said that we are going to have other small lambs soon,” says Sandri.
Sheep provided through the project have given birth twice in one year – much to the joy of the families. “This shows the perfect care for these sheep,” says Kristaq Shahu, the specialist contracted by World Vision Albania to help and monitor the families as part of the project.
Good example
“Sotir is a very good example, because he is not only a hard-working person, but he puts his passion into farming,” adds Kristaq. Although the sheep have only been with the families for a year, some, including Sotir’s, are already selling milk, cheese, yogurt and meat.
Like all parents Sotir, who came from a very poor family and couldn’t go to high school, has many dreams for the future of his children. “My biggest dream is to see all my children going to university,” says Sotir, with tears in his eyes.
