Dear friends,

This is my first attempt at raising money for a charity. Here goes...

I am volunteering on the Balkans Peace Park Summer Programme, in the mountains of northern Albania.

B3P is a transnational park, a rugged mountainous region spanning Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo/a, a symbol of peace and cooperation where communities from all three countries work together to protect their fragile environment, stimulate local employment and promote sustainable visitor activities in the region.

I will be living and working in the village of Vermosh, teaching children English. They will make their own costumes and perform and produce their own film with my help.

Whilst I am there I will also be looking for the last remaining 'sworn virgins'.

'Sworn virgins' or 'burrnesha' is the name given to women who swear an oath of chastity and wear men's clothing in order to live as men. This tradition is nowadays very rare but still exists in some parts of northern Albania. I would like to incorporate some of these women in my next film which will show at Jerwood Space and CCA Glasgow in 2015. I am a recent winner of the Jerwood / Film and Video Umbrella Award: whatwilltheyseeofme.org.uk

I am trying to raise £800 towards a small charity with huge ambitions. Please donate!

Marianna

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