18 minute read
ASSOCIATIONS, ROADS AND IMPORTANT PUBLIC OBJECTS
NGA GONXHE BOJAXHIU DERI TE NËNË TEREZA FROM GONXHE BOJAXHIU TO MOTHER THERESA
VI. Gratitude from her birthplace
Advertisement
THE NAME OF MOTHER TERESA HONORS MANY INSTITUTIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, ROADS AND IMPORTANT PUBLIC OBJECTS
Dr. Nora Maliqi Zylali
Today, with the name of Mother Teresa, are decorated several health and educational institutions, as well as some associations, objects of vital importance for the society. This proves that Mother Teresa rightly represents a source of inspiration for all those who want to present her as a model of humanism and human altruism. On the other hand, this name is also the responsibility to keep alive the bridges of communication and understanding, integrating its spirit in all segments of public and social life. This spirit is the most effective weapon against xenophobia, nationalism and closure in the shells of ethnic and religious self-sufficiency.
State Award “Mother Teresa”
The table placed at the entrance of the University "Mother Teresa" – Skopje
The entrance of the University Clinical Center "Mother Teresa" – Skopje
NGA GONXHE BOJAXHIU DERI TE NËNË TEREZA FROM GONXHE BOJAXHIU TO MOTHER THERESA
Gynecological Hospital "Mother Teresa"– Cair
Table with the name of the Highway (E-65) "Mother Teresa"
VI.1. A temple of knowledge in the birthplace of the saint
NEW PUBLIC UNIVERSITY "MOTHER TERESA" IN SKOPJE
Rector Aziz Pollozhani in the first academic hour (27/10/2016) emphasized that the University Mother Teresa will focus on the labor market needs and internal social cohesion which, as he said, are a prerequisite for successful steps towards inclusive integration. He has warned that the teaching of nine study programs out of a total of 14 accredited programs will be organized, with such a way of studying, avoiding massive and conjuncturally imposed study programs. Pollozhani also promised that quality studies will be provided and preparation of the framework for the new technological context.
The first competition had foreseen 1,220 places for enrollment in the first year, for all five faculties, and that until then in the electronic application have been submitted 80 candidates for studying at the new university. In the first competition for educational staff, meanwhile, 170 people applied, while only 45 were selected, the ones who met the conditions.
From the state budget for the new university were provided 80 million denars. The decision to open the university was taken in december 2015, when it was announced that teaching will be conducted in three languages - Albanian, Macedonian and English language.
NGA GONXHE BOJAXHIU DERI TE NËNË TEREZA FROM GONXHE BOJAXHIU TO MOTHER THERESA
VI.2. Mother Teresa's homeland is Skopje
NI MEMORIAL HOUSE OF MOTHER TERESA
My effort is to make this memorial house to be the global point of pilgrimage for the personality of Mother Teresa and to be the source of reference for her. In this way we bring her back to her homeland, and make her the property and cultural treasure of our country, while her name is inseparably connected with our nation ...
Memorial House of Mother Teresa in Skopje
Memorial House of Mother Teresa is the only institution in North Macedonia, which is associated with the name of an Albanian saint. For the first time, since its establishment, this house since 2018 is led by a cadre of Mother Teresa's ethnicity. Is this Arian Asllanaj from Skopje. The importance of the presence of this Memorial House in Skopje, its functioning and the appointment of director Asllanaj as its head, were reasons to conduct an interview with him, in order to get more detailed information on the activities of this memorial house.
Mother Teresa's popularity as a saint and Nobel laureate makes our memorial house a place of pilgrimage for all the people around the world, who admire her work. The fact that here comes around 180,000 visitors a year, which is certainly a number that no other cultural institution in our country can boast, speaks a lot about the respect that our mother enjoys in the world, the importance of this memorial house, but also for us as Albanians and as Skopje citizens who take care of her. Among other things, the mother's personality and this house, are play the role of the best ambassador of our nation in our country, in the Albanian and Balkan geography, but also on a planetary scale.
Brief history of this memorial house
This house was built on the initiative of the sisters of Mother Teresa (Sisters of Mercy), the Catholic Church in our country, but also many nongovernmental organizations, the Albanian Catholic community and many other personalities of the country. As a result of that commitment, on May 9th, 2008, the cornerstone of this memorial house was laid, while on January 30st, 2009, took place its solemn opening.
In the place where today is located the Memorial House of Mother Teresa was once the Catholic Church "Heart of the Christ", while in that city area was the neighborhood of Catholic Albanians. The street that today is called "Macedonia", which is in the center of Skopje, where the Memorial House is located, was called "Jeni Xhade" (Turkish: New Street). We also have artifacts of that time, and photographs of the mentioned church, which are exhibited in our gallery.
NGA GONXHE BOJAXHIU DERI TE NËNË TEREZA FROM GONXHE BOJAXHIU TO MOTHER THERESA
The importance of this memorial house
We have a variety of artifacts that we have exhibited in the gallery, some of which are original materials, some are reproductions, while there are many photographs and documents about the life and work of Mother Teresa. Here we can mention some, including the Baptism Letter, which is the document from Gonxhe's baptism, then we have a SARI (head covering, which is the original wrap of Mother Teresa), then we have the copy of the Nobel Prize certificate and many other pictures from the life, starting from her birth until the end of her life.
Last year (2019), together with the director of the Institute for Spiritual and Cultural Heritage of the Albanians, Prof.dr. Skender Asani, and the Albanian researcher living in Switzerland, dr. Albert Rama, we were in the Lucerne Archive in Switzerland, where we found a lot of materials about the personality of Mother Teresa, and at the same time we signed a memorandum of cooperation, which I hope will result with the sending of many materials, original and copies, that will be delivered to us. I am convinced that they will be an additional asset of our memorial house, but also for completing the mosaic of the personality of the Albanian Nobel laureate.
What has changed in this memorial house?
Although this house functioned well even before I came on head of it, what I think that has been as an added value after my arrival, is the association created that the memorial house of the Albanian saint from Skopje is being leading by one of her compatriots. Therefore, when I came here, I made sure that the Albanian language is present everywhere in this institution, not only because of the legal obligation, but even more as a sign of the respect we have for the ethnicity of Mother Teresa. The other part has to do with the increasing of the staff, especially the one with the Albanian element, but also with the realization of other projects for the affirmation of the figure of Mother Teresa outside the walls of the house, especially for the school generations, which are enabled with the support of the Ministry of Culture in Republic of North Macedonia.
Pope Francis visited the memorial house
Last year, Pope Francis visited Skopje and we had the privilege of having him as a guest at the Memorial House of Mother Teresa, while I had the honor of being the first host of the Catholic Church. I had the pleasure of shaking his hand and telling him that I am a descendant of Mother Teresa, both as an Albanian and as a Skopje resident. I also gave him a portrait of Mother Teresa. It will be one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life.
I was glad that the pope was convinced that this house and the care for the Albanian saint from Skopje are in safe hands.
Scientific research
Last year (2019), together with the Institute for Spiritual and Cultural Heritage of Albanians, we organized a scientific conference, which was held on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa's father, Kole Bojaxhiu. This conference was attended by important scientific personalities from our country and Kosovo, and I am glad that this was the first scientific event organized at the Memorial House and the first event organized in the Albanian language. I think we are on the right track.
In addition, we have organized exhibitions and promotions, participated in many local and international projects, and signed several memorandums of cooperation with relevant domestic and foreign scientific institutions.
Plans for development of this memorial house
Our goal is that Mother Teresa's homeland to be in Skopje not only in the geographical and administrative sense, but I would like everything related with her name to have an address in Skopje, more precisely in this memorial house. Therefore, my effort is to make this memorial house to be the global point of pilgrimage for the personality of Mother Teresa and to be the source of reference for her. In this way we bring her back to her homeland, and make her the property and cultural treasure of our country, while her name is inseparably connected with our nation.
NGA GONXHE BOJAXHIU DERI TE NËNË TEREZA FROM GONXHE BOJAXHIU TO MOTHER THERESA
In addition, we have a numerous of other ongoing projects that will be implemented in the meantime. However, I am convinced that never more than today and never more than now, we haven’t had the interest and care to preserve Mother Teresa's personality and her national identity. Meanwhile, by being inspired by her work, her legacy and her mission, we aim to convey it to the whole world, exactly as St. Teresa deserves.
Arian ASLLANAJ, director of the memorial house of Mother Teresa in Skopje
VI.3. Humanism and charity
HISTORY AND ACTIVITIES OF THE CHA „MOTHER TERESA” – STRUGA
Charitable Humanitarian Association “Mother Teresa” was established in Pristina in May 1990, and registered at the relevant ministry in the former Yugoslavia. Under the laws of the time, this association enjoyed the right to form its branches within the territory of the former Yugoslavia. One of the branches of the association was founded in Struga on 24.10.1990. As a result of the dissolution of the former Yugoslav federation, the Struga branch of the association was forced to get registered and operate under the laws of the Republic of Macedonia. For that reason the association was registered on 26.1.1993 and since then operates as an
NGA GONXHE BOJAXHIU DERI TE NËNË TEREZA FROM GONXHE BOJAXHIU TO MOTHER THERESA
independent association. The headquarters of the association is located in Struga, which bases its activity exclusively on humanitarian and charitable principles. The association is organized according to the territorial principle and has established its branches in Struga, Gostivar, Debar, Kumanovo, Kichevo, Prespa and Bitola.
The association was formed in order to direct its humanitarian activity mainly in Kosovo. From the year 1990 until the beginning of the war in 1999, this organization collected a lot of aid, and through the humanitarian charity in Pristina managed to distribute aid from Macedonia. The largest amount of these funds were distributed to the miners of Trepça, teachers in the form of salaries, respectively a significant part of schools. This assistance was provided through ongoing field collection actions.
Contribution of CHA ,,Mother Teresa” in Struga
CHA "Mother Teresa" in Struga since February 1998, found itself in a completely different situation, after the ethnic cleansing by the Serbian criminal machinery in Kosovo, when hundreds of thousands of Albanians were forcibly expelled from their lands and, and in order to escape from crime, almost 300,000 to 400,000 Kosovars were forced to head towards Macedonia. During the time they were housed in Macedonia, the association was able to provide assistance with food items, clothing and medicine. The organization participated in the rehabilitation of about seventy orphaned and war-traumatized children, organizing rehabilitation vacation tours. These children were cared by caregivers and psychologists hired by the association.
After the return of Kosovars to their lands, the association "Mother Teresa" focused its activity again on sending aid to Kosovo. This was done because the consequences of the war were severe, and the situation was very serious.
CHA "Mother Teresa" of Struga, during 1992/93 provided significant assistance to residents in Albania in the districts of Korca, Pogradec, Prrenjas, where the assistance was distributed in clothing, food items, school supplies, etc. A lot of working tools were sent to the Albanian Radio and Television, such as paper, cassettes or cameras, etc. Residents of the villages of Pogradec, Korça and Librazhd were also assisted with a largescale tractors for land working. Thus, the 115 tractors and harvesters
engaged from Struga stayed for seven days in the districts of Pogradec, Korça and Librazhdit, working and cultivating up to ten hours a day. Approximately 8050 working hours were realized mainly in land cultivation.
During the war in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina many Albanian soldiers were found there, so some got involved in battles and some of them only deserted. Some of them took refuge in the Labinot field in the Elbasan barracks. The association in cooperation with the prominent and now deceased activist, Zekeria Cana, took care of and provided clothing, hygiene items and medicines.
Our association managed to settle around 200 young people fleeing from Kosovo, in order not to be recruited in the Yugoslav army and then, sending them to the wars in Bosnia and Croatia. All this activity was organized with the help of Zekeria Cana.
Organization of the scientific and cultural activities
The Humanitarian Charitable Association "Mother Teresa" organized the scientific forum "Nation and Religion" in Struga, Pogradec and Debar.
Our association realized the most important project in the field of health, such as the Polyclinic. This project was appropriate, because during the war in Kosovo it provided medical services where a large number of Kosovar patients were treated correctly.
On the occasion of the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the birth of Gonxhe Bojaxhiu - Mother Teresa and the 10th anniversary of the founding of the association, we organized a solemn academy, which was held in the city of Skopje, where we would like to emphasize that the event had a nationwide character. The main host of the event was our association and prominent national artists were invited to it. Also on the occasion of the celebration of the 90th anniversary, the association announced a competition for poetic creations dedicated to Mother Teresa and the echo of her magnificent work. For poetic creation we awarded three prizes; Ali Pordrimja, Visar Zhiti and Vjosa.
A special segment of the activities during the 2000s, was the establishment of a library with books in Albanian language, for primary and secondary school students. The library was equipped with about 17,500 books and about 1,500 titlesAt the same time, a computer room was
NGA GONXHE BOJAXHIU DERI TE NËNË TEREZA FROM GONXHE BOJAXHIU TO MOTHER THERESA
opened near the headquarters of the association for primary and secondary school students. The course was attended by 450 students with free services and qualified lecturers.
Managing of the consequences from the war of 2001
During the conflict of 2001, our association concentrated mos of the activities in the region of Lipkovo and Tetovo. The association dealt with the settlement of citizens who were forced to leave the hotbeds of the conflict and with the sending of humanitarian aid.
The humanitarian charity association "Mother Teresa" sent 22,000 kg of potato seeds to Tanusha, Breza and Malina, for 140 families with 1064 members. From these aids, the village of Breza with 42 families and 327 members, received 7000 kg potato seeds, for each family 166 kg. Tanusha village with 35 families and 236 members, received 7000 kg potato seeds, each family 200 kg. seeds, the village of Malina with 47 families and 405 members, received 7000 kg seeds for each family 150 kg and the village of Goshinca with 22 families and 133 members received 4000 kg seeds for each family 180kg.
For people with high school qualifications, but unemployed, especially for those with no material income, the association offered modest opportunities to develop economics or any business activity.
On the eve of Mother Teresa's beatification, the association decided that from the year 2003 until now, to organize cultural events in honor of her beatification by the Vatican, with the title "Mother of the suffering world". Thus, on September 4th, 2003, in this manifestation "Mother of the Suffered World" organized the theatrical, literary and musical performance attended by art personalities, actors Llesh Nikolla, Adem Karaga, Teuta Jegeni, instrumentalists Blerim Grubi, Sihana Badivuku, Antonio Gashi, Lisa Bauta and the most prominent ballet couple from the Republic of Albania, Gerti Vasa and Enada Hoxha.
Struga boasts with the statue of Mother Teresa
With great efforts this association managet to obatin permission from the state authorities to establish the statue of Mother Teresa in the city of Struga. Struga, as the bearer of so many humanitarian, charitable and cultural activities, deserved to have a monument of such a great figure in the name of our great humanist. The association followed with concern the realization of the statue by the sculptor dr. Xhelil Rufati, by maintaining constant contacts. On April 17th, 2004, it became a reality. The Association invited guests from Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia and the USA, to enrich the inauguration event.
With refugees who fled during the crisis in the Middle East
During the crisis in the Middle East, the number of refugees passing through the territory of Macedonia was very high. This made our association, as always, mobilize with the activists of its Kumanovo branch. As refugees were in transit, the association provided them with energy food, which was easy to carry but provided a lot of energy. The association carried out this activity for three years in a row until the Balkan route was closed due to the transit of refugees from the Middle East.
Due to the refugee crisis in the Middle East and the large influx of refugees and due to the geographical position of the Republic of Macedonia, this country became the main center of the Balkan route towards the transit route through European countries. Even on this occasion, the humanitarian charity association "Mother Teresa" - Switzerland, in cooperation with our association, for the feast of Eid al-Adha managed to distribute to refugees 800 pieces of baklava and 600 food packages.
Floods in Hasanbeg, Skopje
The association has extended its activity with humanitarian aid in cases of natural disasters, although this activity has not been a priority. Most notable is the case of the Hasanbeg, neighborhood of Skopje, when many residential buildings were damaged and destroyed during the major floods. This settlement with 21,600 inhabitants, on the night of August 26th,
NGA GONXHE BOJAXHIU DERI TE NËNË TEREZA FROM GONXHE BOJAXHIU TO MOTHER THERESA
2016 had 57 victims, of which 33 were missing, in which case the association sent eight tons of food items.
Cooperation with other associations
Our association has had a fruitful cooperation with the sister association "Mother Teresa" in Switzerland. This association assisted our association in several humanitarian, cultural and health activities. Thus, on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the birth of Mother Teresa and the 15th anniversary of the founding of our association, this Swiss association funded the publication of the play entitled "When Mother Teresa was Gonxhe", by the author Bashkim Kozeli.
Activities in honor of the birth anniversaries of Mother Teresa
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mother Teresa and the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Humanitarian Charity Association "Mother Teresa", was organized a round table on the topic "Mother Teresa and humanism". In addition to the roundtable, was also organized the Mother Teresa Memorial Days event, accompanied by a parade of 100 children in the town square wearing white T-shirts with the portrait of Mother Teresa and balloons in their hands, who stood in front of the Mother Teresa monument. From that moment began the artistic program in which students recited poems about Mother Teresa from the book published by our association, entitled as "100 Buds for Mother".
Such an extensive activity of the association was developed in cooperation with international non-governmental organizations and those from the country. Wider cooperation has been realized with Caritas Austria, Diaconia from Germany, Piple and nit from the Czech Republic, Cap Anamur from Germany, Mercy Corps from the USA, CRS also from the USA, HCA "Mother Teresa" Switzerland and an Australian association .
The realization of all these activities is a result of the projects of the Struga association itself. For all these humanitarian and charitable activities, special merits have the tireless activists, citizens who have not been spared in providing aid and its collaborators.
Jashar POLLOZHANI, President of the Humanitarian Charitable Associationi „MOTHER TERESA” – Struga
