You may not see their names, but behind the scenes, a steady stream of church-supported international volunteers and short-term teams are making a huge difference to A2B’s work in Albania.
Last March was a particularly busy month. Teams from Egypt, Switzerland, and The Netherlands all visited, each bringing something unique. The Swiss team helped with digital training and brought IT equipment. The Dutch team delivered sports gear and ran games across our projects. And the team from Egypt brought hands-on help and a lot of encouragement.
These groups don’t usually give money – but what they do bring is just as valuable: laptops, footballs, technical know-how, and basic essentials that are hard to find locally.
Over the years, A2B has been blessed with so many donated items that we now have a small warehouse where we store everything until it’s needed. It’s full of beds, toys, mattresses, sports equipment, clothes, and household supplies – most of which have come from generous friends across Europe. Having this warehouse means we don’t have to give things out in a rush. Instead, we can respond when families are in crisis, or when a child or grandparent needs something specific – and give with dignity.
For example, the Dutch team regularly brings high-quality sports supplies, which can then be distributed throughout the year across to the different centres. It’s one of the reasons the children in A2B’s programmes are still playing with proper footballs, not plastic bags tied with string!
As Alketa, director of A2B Albania puts it, “Each of these teams is a blessing – they bring things we can’t afford to buy, but which make such a big difference.”
It’s a beautiful picture of God’s people working together, across borders, languages, and cultures, to bring practical help where it’s needed most.
