AAI focuses its energies in five distinct areas.
1. Scholarships
AAI supports 5-10 university students each year. We are very strict, only students who maintain 7/10 scores in all classes receive full scholarships. For very promising students, or those with greater need, we sometimes provide more support.
From the time that Steve first went to Albania, he has worked with parents to send their girls to high school and university. Now after twenty years, there are many female role models for girls (and examples for their parents), so there is less resistance to send girls to high school and university. AAI scholarships have been the deciding factor for many of these students. We are exceedingly proud of our girls who have completed university.
2. Lending Libraries
In 2003 when the Albanian Alps Institute was established, there were essentially no library books in any of the schools in the Shkrel School District in northern Albania. Steve first took books to Boga in the winter of 2001. We now provide library books to the schools in Dedaj, Vrith, Rec, Zagore and Bratosh in Shkres; Tamare, Vukel, and Selce in Kelmend. We give the librarians $230 a year to buy books.
3. Kindergarten Supplies
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We buy supplies ($230/year) for kindergartens in Boge, Dedaj, Vrith, Rec, Zagore, Bratosh, Tamare, Selce, and Vukel. And pay for teachers in Boge and Vrith. AAI provides the only supplies for these kindergartens.
4. English Teacher
Aleks Ulaj, AAI English teacher has been with us since 2004. He now has classes in Vrith. He is integral to our mission, supporting Steve on his trips to Albania. In competitions, his English students outperform those with state school teachers.
5. Volunteer Program
AAI has opportunities for volunteers to teach conversational English, art, and/or music. Volunteers usually go for two to four weeks. AAI makes arrangements including transportation to and from the airport, placement with a host family and access to the school. Click here for more information. AAI charges no fee to volunteer for us, unlike nearly all other “volunteer” opportunities.
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AAI has begun paying for internet connections in Vrith and Bratosh.