The Albanian National Reception Center for Refugees: Babrru near Tirana. October 2nd, 2015

The National Reception Centre for Refugees in Albania is in Babrru, Tirana. This centre is supported from the state budget and by the ministry of social welfare, with 15 staff members who offer all services: food, clothing, health care, education for children and integration into the albanian society. Food costs are provided by the state budget, who give approximately 3 dollars a day. Although this is not much it helps. Support also comes from other organizations such as the United Nations aid to Refugees organization which operates in Albania. (UNHCR) The link to this agency in the Balkans is: (http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e48d676.html).  The process of their local integration is still a difficult challenge and a joint effort takes place between the stakeholders: refugees, public authorities, non-governmental organizations and foreign agencies. Continue Reading: Report on Visit to The Reception Centre for Refugees Babrru.

‘He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor’ (Luke 4:18)

This symposium was held at The Vatican and led by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. The message from Pope Francis and the teachings of the Church has always been strong and clear in relation to those in need. We need to stand by the refugees and migrants, protect their rights, protest against evil, give shelter, love and compassion and a chance for them to live a life of dignity. The planet and all that is in it is the common heritage of all. The bounty of the earth is not just for the powerful few to the exclusion of the rest of humanity, but for all.

Continue Reading:  The International Symposium on Pastoral Care of Migrants and Street People – September 2015

Thank You to Everyone!

We would like to thank our generous donors for their support who have enabled Mary Ward Loreto to implement their plan of action during the year.

In particular we thank our European donors, OneMenMiva, Members of the IBVM English Province, Mary Ward International Spain, our many donors from the UK, both individuals and parishes, individual donors in Australia and USA, The Medaille Trust and the Loreto Schools, also in the UK. These are our present donors but as this is our first newsletter, we would like to include in our thanks those who have been our donors in the past. This includes all of the above people and groups but also, Mary Ward International Ireland, Mary Ward International Australia, and the Conrad Hilton Foundation for Religious, USA. We would also like to thank our collaborators and volunteers who have worked tirelessly on our behalf during this year. Also we want to thank Mary Ward Loreto Foundation team, who have worked tirelessly to implement the aims and goals of the projects in such a creative and fruitful way. Without them the empowerment of so many beneficiaries would not have been accomplished.

Thank you again on behalf of Mary Ward Loreto Foundation, for your very kind support and trust. Without your continued support the mission of Mary Ward Loreto Foundation would be impossible.