Widows Fund Fushe Kosova

Adversities throughout a lifespan are inevitable, but how we deal with them is controllable. At least we got to see this practice early on these past months through the pandemic of 2020.

A very hard time for all of us, indeed. At one hand the responsibility towards the groups in need and on the other hand the limitations and difficulties of accessing these same groups.

Being at the same time a mother and a father for your children is not easy, that's what all of the widows included in the project agreed on. "The burden is heavy" they say, but at the same time makes you resilient.

Because of your continuous support we managed to not let these families run out of hope, even though in times of a global pandemic, where each of us were in a danger of health. Up to 30 women with their families got food and hygiene packages, for several months and are all in good health, fortunately.

The voice of gratitude of all of the women and families we support through this project is dedicated to all of the donors who very kindly gave their support all these months and continue further, creating access to nutrition and other services for these vulnerable groups, as we all deserve as humans.

Altogether, we managed to turn adversity into an opportunity. Thank you!

Links:

• The Ideas Partnership's webpage

A new beneficiary of the fund is Arlinda, a passionate and resilient person, which life has truly taught her.

March wasn't a pleasant month for her this year,since she lost her husband and felt the true pain and loss, with all its burdens. But sometimes it seems like some people, use these situations to get a deeper meaning in their life and purposes and fill their hearts with acceptance and patience, and transform their pain into help for others.

This is the story of Arlinda, where it seems like whatever is given to her she will make it greater. So is her story from the past where she made jewellery from upcycling CD-s and held trainings to other young girls in the neighbourhood when she received a sewing machine herself. She is continuing to do her stuff thanks to all your generous hearts. Lately considering the pandemic that has striked globally she received some fabric, and of course we were waiting for her to fascinate us again with her new ideas. She indeed live in these poor conditions herself, and knows the true importance of health and wellbeing especially during these times and of course wanted to help others in this process with as much as she could. She has made hundreds of face masks which her son together with our colleagues are distributing in the neighbourhood in meantime to keep the community safe, and they were really astonishing.

When Elizabeth talked with her about this initiative of hers and asked if she wanted to sell these face masks and assure her conditions of living for a short time at least, she said: "Why would I want to be a millionaire when my neighbours are getting sick?" And it really shaped the true reality of the simple things in life, which over the years she has gained a true meaning for.

Sometimes the greatest gift you can receive from someone is their pure heart and being. And in this case we have the best understanding of this because of your great examples you all do everyday, and empower women like Arlinda to follow their dreams, and be the best version of themselves.

Thank you!