Manchester Aid to Kosovo (MaK) was founded in 1999 in response to ethnic cleansing in the Balkans. In addition to sending an emergency humanitarian relief convoy to the refugee camps, it has supported Kosovars medically evacuated to Manchester, and led many recovery and development projects in Kosovo over the last 16 years.

Arja's great friend Pam Dawes was involved from the very start and introduced her to MaK, where she has been a Summer Club leader for the past 4 years, leading the yellow group (who are devoted to her!) Arja also co-leads the Psychiatric Day Centre support group, as well as co-leading the MaK women's embroidery project along with a British textile artist. She is also a very enthusiastic part of the Peace Park sports planning group, aiming to maximise use of the Manchester Peace Park in Kosovo.

MaK's current programmes involve education, sport and art. All MaK leaders are volunteers and 100% of all donations fund projects.