I’ve lived in Albania with my parents, sister and younger brother since 2004. We live in a country village in Northern Albania. My parents manage small-scale development projects and run a campsite. For the greater part of my youth I've grown up in Albania, and I’ve come to love the country and its people. My mother educated us at home for years. We followed the same elementary education lessons as children in the Netherlands. We went through this very intensive education quickly, super quickly. Eventually I went along to visit the local school in Barbullush, where we live. I was shocked at what I saw. The school was in a terrible state of repair; ‘education’ was wishful thinking. Teachers found it more important to drink coffee than to provide lessons. Children were also beaten regularly. The school consists of an elementary school and high school. About 700 children attend every day. Later I also attended the high school but of course, I took my Dutch education textbooks. In the Albanian classroom I studied from my Dutch books and, at the same time, maintained contact with my peer age group.

My presence had a positive influence; the force of an outside observer. Children are no longer beaten, ever since I introduced Children's Rights to the teachers. It helped a lot that I have a good relationship with the Mayor, who also has good contact with my parents for past 17 years. He also did his best to improve the situation. At the same time he has to divide his attention to the great number schools spread throughout Bushat County.

Despite Albanian law requiring children to attend education, a great many never make it to school. They have to work on the farm or help Mom with the housework. The motivation to get educated is also lacking, due to the poor quality of schooling. The classrooms are far too small, and the furnishing leaves a lot to be desired. Because of these a lot of children leave school early, without any kind of diploma, and so later they’re less equipped to climb out of the poverty trap. Something has to be done right now. Who’s also going to help me realize my goals?

Anne’s targets for the school in Barbullush:

1. The construction of toilet and water facilities, with the accompanying auditorium and computer room.
Status: Finance through the charity Foundation Breath

2. Education exchanges to the Netherlands for Albanian children, school principals and teachers.
Status: not yet financed. Requirement €5,000

3. The provisions of furnishings for the auditorium, music apparatus and computers.
Status: not yet financed. Requirement €15,000

4. Renovation of the schoolyard and the provision of sports and playground facilities.
Status: not yet financed. Requirement €15,000

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