December is my favorite month. It’s a time for holidays, decorations, good food and, more importantly, a time for giving, gratitude and joy. My parents made the holiday season special, and each year they also made sure we learned that the holidays weren’t just about the fun and gifts, but also about giving. Volunteering at soup kitchens and buying gifts for those who needed extra help became as important as the magic happening inside our house.
This holiday season JETA Tier und Mensch is turning one of my favorite Christmas traditions — the Advent calendar — into a countdown of giving. Each day, for 24 days, there’s a different wish for the people and animals of Albania. At the month’s end, Jenny Hasanaj-Müller will deliver the gifts to those in need in Albania.
What sort of wishes is JTUM asking for?
– Day 1: Chocolate bars for the children of Albania. Together with Animal Aid Albania, JTUM is taking part in a shoe collection for local children. These shoes will be wrapped with stuffed animals, clothing, and now …. chocolate! Thanks to the generous heart of our donor, Entela H.!
– Day 2: A godparent for Umi. Godparents help feed and care for the dogs in JTUM’s care with a low monthly payment of 30 CHF. One of Nina Röhlig’s god-dogs was adopted, so she agreed to now sponsor sweet Umi. Another wish granted!
– Day 3: A bag of Happy Dog food. Thanks again to the generous Nina Röhlig for her loyalty and for fulfilling this wish.
– Day 4: A steam cleaner for Zamira Kuçì. Zamira is one of the most important animal activists in Durrës. She has graciously turned her home into a safe place for so many dogs and cats who can’t live on the streets nor at one of the other facilities. Thanks to Entela H., Zamira can now clean her home much easier.
– Day 5: Tarps for the dog shelter in Durrës. The shelter in Durrës houses most of the dogs under JTUM’s care and needs regular attention. I’ve been to the shelter, adopted my dog from there and know the attention it needs, so this was particularly important for me to gift!
– Day 6: A bag of Happy Cat food for the cats of Albania. Cats are often forgotten but JTUM volunteers don’t allow that! As of the writing of this article, we still need a donor to make this wish come true.
If you’d like to make the holiday season in Albania a little bit brighter, please follow JTUM on Facebook or Instagram and consider giving this holiday season. After all, “the greatest joy in all of living is the joy that comes from freely giving”! Happy holidays to all.
