YMCA Plans

It is in this context, the YMCA caters for the needs of 250 Roma children age 5-14 years. Services to this population include the most basic human needs: providing clothing and food. The YMCA also supplies sports equipment, learning materials and occasional day trips/picnics for the children. All this is accomplished with a budget of €5000/$6500 per year.
the plan of action for my remaining stay is three-fold at this point and is as follows:

• Develop an ‘internationally-recognized' NGO governance/operating structure for YMCA Shkoder
• Focus YMCA efforts on the completion and sustainability of the new Roma school program and creation of a Youth Center in Shkoder, while taking advantage of other ongoing opportunities (summer camps, etc.)
• Hold the national General Assembly

Specific steps in the Operational Development Plan for YMCA Shkoder include:
1) Creating a YMCA purpose statement and logo
2) Developing Bye-laws and Constitution
3) Developing a local board of advisors
4) Orienting YMCA leaders and volunteers on History/function of YMCA:
5) Creating Program goals
6) Developing goals and timeline/targets for 2007-2009
7) Relationship building with potential partners

With this forming the backdrop of our ongoing work, the next major initiative of YMCA Shkoder is to create the Youth Centre I referred to last time. The plan is to raise 20% (approximately US$15,000/£8,000/€12,000) of necessary funds here within Albania with the rest being secured from international donations (individual/business contributions and grants). While the amount to be generated within Albania does not seem high compared with Western/Northern standards, when you consider that the average salary in Albania is a mere US$190/£100/€150 per month, it will be quite a challenge.

As far as the Balkan-Baltic sponsored bicycle-ride portion of fundraising is concerned, the goal is US$20,000/£12,000/€16,000. The route is finalized, necessary visas applied for, website and links created, training well underway