In Albania, Food and Medicine for the Poor

Recently, while searching through Nehemiah Gateway’s extensive photo archive, I set out to find an image that could illustrate an article in our newsletter about domestic violence in Albania—and the ways we are working to support its victims.

What I found, however, led me down an unexpected path. As I sifted through countless images, I came across a collection of photographs depicting homes in the remote mountain villages surrounding Pogradec. These are the homes of individuals our Social and Medical Improvement (SMI) project serves regularly – providing food, physical therapy when needed, and, just as importantly, companionship. One particular set of images stood out: a home in an especially dire condition, nestled in a secluded corner of the region.

For many living in wealthier nations—or even in more affluent parts of Albania—it can be difficult to truly comprehend the harsh realities of life in these villages. Here, people aren’t thinking about long-term dreams or ambitions; they are fighting to survive. Every day is a struggle. Even with the unwavering dedication of our SMI team and the generosity of our donors, life for these individuals remains incredibly challenging.

Our impact, though meaningful, is limited. We can deliver firewood, food, and moments of social connection, but the need far exceeds our resources. For every person we reach, there are countless others still waiting for help. It is a sobering reminder to be grateful for what we have—and to do what we can to uplift those who need it most.

It‘s like traveling back in time: hours of driving, the roads get worse and worse and eventually stop completely. We continue off-road until shabby houses appear: the half-abandoned villages in the mountains around Pogradec. The young, able-bodied people have long since moved away, leaving behind the old, the ”simple-minded” and people with disabilities. The more remote, the greater the hardship and loneliness.

NG‘s social work team brings relief supplies and food four times a year and looks after these villagers. The parcels are very welcome, even if they seem not much more than a drop in the ocean.

Andrea and Gian Paul Ardüser, NG staff who often take part in the distribution campaigns, report: “The biggest factors are probably the appreciation shown and the regularity. People know that they are not completely forgotten. We meet up four times a year, get to know each other, there are more and more personal conversations, hugs ... and we are made aware of new emergencies in the neighborhood, which we naturally follow up on.”

“For example, when we missed an usually very lively and hard-working man at our meeting point. A tip-off led us to his house, where we found him ill and apparently close to death. Fortunately, holistic practitioner Eberhard Brachtel was with us and he immediately took care of him. On our next visit, the man came running towards us again, beaming. It was like a miracle!”

Andrea adds: “I am moved by the fate of the mothers. How do you cope with pregnancy and birth when the journey to the hospital starts with a long walk or mule ride and the subsequent taxi journey costs a small fortune (in proportion)? A pregnant woman told me that already one of her children was born on the way to hospital in the middle of a snowstorm. The girl now bears the beautiful name Bora (snow).”

But even for those who move to the cities, the need remains. In the city, they cannot grow their own food, have to pay rent and often cannot find a job, or only very poorly paid work. They therefore remain dependent on our help.

There is no end to the need. Nikoleta, Head of Social and Medical Improvement (SMI), puts heart and soul into her work. Her biggest problem is the limited resources: “I‘m constantly thinking about how we can help even better. We make the most of every dollar we receive. People keep asking me why we are travelling to the most remote villages, it’s tedious, takes a lot of time and causes a lot of wear and tear on the vehicles. All this just for a few families ... but if not us, then who?”