Story
<p><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: black; font-size: 13pt;">Our Challenge</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: black; font-size: 13pt;">On Saturday 25th June, Simon and I are going to undertake a 100 mile bike ride to raise enough money to completely upgrade the antiquated computer system at the Home of Hope. At present their computers are very old and extremely slow at performing any simple tasks. It would greatly benefit the children with their homework and the staff with their admin if we could completely replace all of their computers for up to date equipment.</span></p>
<p><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: black; font-size: 13pt;">About the Home of Hope</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: black; font-size: 13pt;">The Home of Hope Residential Children’s Home was established in 1992 to meet the increasing need for safe care for abandoned children following the collapse of Communism. Ebasan is a large town situated some 50 miles from the capital Tirana. It has a population of over 100,000 people and has high unemployment in the area and significant poverty. In 2002, CRY was asked to become involved in the management and financial support of the Home of Hope. <br /><br />12 children live in the Home. These are cared for in three family groups. One for younger girls, one for younger boys and a unit for older boys being prepared for independence. A further 15 children are supported at home following a return to their families.<br /><br />In 2007, a Day Centre was established to reach out to Roma children living in extreme poverty. This Day Centre now provides care to 30 children on a daily basis. In addition a further 30 who have passed through the Day Centre and now attending school, receive regular after-care and support to their families. It is hoped that in the coming years this outreach will grow, impacting on the deprivation and poverty in Elbasan.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: black; font-size: 13pt;">Should it not be possible to use all the money donated to buy the computers, the remainder will be used for other similar projects within C</span>RY.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: black; font-size: 13pt;">Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: black; font-size: 13pt;">Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: black; font-size: 13pt;">So please dig deep and donate now.</span></p>