What we do

Background

Albania is a beautiful Mediterranean country, with a warm climate. Until 1992, the ruling Communist regime provided the government with its moral and ethical compass, which included banning faith and religion as well as ownership of land. Subsequent governments have failed to meet the expectations of the people, so many people now want to leave the country in pursuit of a better life and the relative wealth that they see in Western Europe. The result is a mass exodus of potentially economically active young people that has ripped the heart out of many Albanian towns and cities.

According to the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) between 2011 and 2023, 512,000 people have emigrated from the country, 70% of them being young. Young Albanian men make up the largest foreign national group in HMP prisons in the UK (Wikipedia). In 2024 there were 1,272 Albanians in British prisons (statistics.com).

Albania needs the restoration of hope and Axios seeks to provide and live out that hope for the people of Albania. Our intention is to bring about change. We aim to provide a practical work environment as a model of a satisfying and creative future employment path. It is our hope and vision that through our workshops we can pair those who become interested with local traders to further their skills.

Plans

Our projects will be up and running by April 2025. We purchased a part-built property in 2023 with the vision of creating a home that would also be a hub of Christian outreach, activity, and holistic community development. The property will provide a base for church groups visiting on mission trips. Nearby, group activities are planned, such as quad-biking in the hills surrounding Delvine and kitesurfing/windsurfing/canoeing on nearby beaches. A workshop will provide a creative space for working with young men and women.

MINISTRY VISION

What we hope for

• To bring hope to Albania by:

• living a radically different lifestyle to the surrounding culture,

• sharing and presenting the Gospel in action.

• building resilience in the local community.

• reaching marginalised communities (such as Roma).

• Empower existing Christians by supporting the local church.

Christian conversions through living, working and sharing the gospel.

• Community regeneration - fewer young people leaving the country.

• Less exploitation of young men and women by human trafficers.

• Better integration of marginalised minorities, such as Roma.

PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MINISTRY

This is an exciting opportunity to partner with Axios at the outset of this new ministry and be part of God's plan for Albania.

These are ways you can be involved with Axios.

PRAYER

Please pray for:

• a smooth transition to living and working in Albania

• the volunteers who will be helping to set up the ministry

• language studies for Felix

• good relations with the local church in Delvine and the Bible School in Erseke

• the young people who will be impacted by the ministry

Financial support

Axios is maintained by donor support and needs funding to develop its ministries. Some of the projects will evolve to generate income and become self-supporting and sustainable, but others need money to develop. You can be part of the vision to help see lives change in Albania by donating to the work.

To establish the ministry, we need money to:

• cover monthly living and ministry costs

• make the workshop usable

(approx. £5,000 – a further breakdown of items is available on request)

• set up the coffee van - coffee machine (£1,500)

If you would consider contributing regularly to the work, please set up a standing order to Barton Church with thereference to Axios. Alternatively, if you can provide a one-oc gift, please send it to Barton Church specifying how you would like the donation to be used.

Other support:

We are planning to take a van with goods to set up their house in Albania (designed to cater for up to 10 people living there) in March/April 2025.

If you have any of the following items they would be gratefully received:

  • a free-standing electric cooker

  • washing machine

  • log wood burner

  • rugs

  • towels

  • linen for single bunk beds

  • two single day beds

  • crockery

  • cutlery

  • mugs and glasses.