YSA Service Projects

The Vlorë Center for Young Adults decided to do some service projects, with a little nudging. The first project they come up with was to cleanup part of the plazh (beach). We agreed and also suggested that they think of something else that might be a little more rewarding. We talked about the Orphanage and the home for disabled children that Motra & Elder Smith had visited.

The YSA President and the secretary visited the Orphanage and came back to the Center all excited about what they had found. They told us the Director of the Orphanage was excited about having our young adults come and help because of the great need the babies and children had to be held and play with. The children’s ages at this Orphanage range from new born to four years old.

Today for our Preparation day we went to the Orphanage, Enea Rrokaj the YSA President, Ela Bitaj Secretary, Motra Peaross, Motra Leit, Motra and President Smith. We talked with the Director and asked what we could do to help. She asked for help with buying some diapers, baby formula and furniture for a small room for parents to visit their children. Some of the children are not totally abandoned and have their parents visit and currently they have no separate room for them to be alone with their child. Most of the children and babies are not held, loved or even touched because of their numbers and the small number of Orphanage workers.

We then asked what would be the best days and times our young adults could come and serve at the Orphanage. The Director said that we could come any day and between the hours of 9-12 AM and 3-6 PM. The young adults could come and spend any amount of time that they could spare.

Pesident Smith then asked if we could spend some time today and help with the children to get a good idea of what to tell the rest of the young adults at the Center. We then went and spent about an hour with the children from 1-4 years of age. It was like Motra and President Smith remembered it being in the Nursery, the calling they had just before they were call on a Mission. We then went to the area where the baby’s were kept and spent another hour with them. They are so cute and all of us loved holding and rocking the babies. It was hard for the young adults to put the babies down and leave the Orphanage.