Shkodra, Albania

We have completed the first of our Balkans Peace Photo Projects! We are currently on day 7 of our journey and it is the first time we have been able to take time out and visit an internet cafe.

After departing San Francisco and Washington DC, our team headed straight to Tirana, Albania. We loaded ourselves into a taxi and enjoyed the drive to Shkodra. Terra, had been connected to a wonderful Peace Corps volunteer via Antonia Young and the Balkans Peace Park. We originally were going to head up into the mountains to a village called Thethi, however about a week prior to our departure Terra recieved an email informing her that we'd have to hike 4-5 hours in the snow (not too big of a deal) with a local guide to visit the village....oh, and there might be a possiblity of wolf attacks!

So needless to say, we nixed visiting Thethi in winter and ended up connecting with ASTA a local NGO in Shkodra. It was meant to be! ASTA is an organization that works with underserved youth. They have about 22 students who range in age from 10 years to 24 years of age. The women running the organization are an absolute inspiration!Orieta, Alfrida Alekaj, Megan,Terra Tolley, Tibora Bea Girczyc-Blum, Jason Eason, Angela Luka, Drustva Delgadillo