In 2008 we developed our fundraising methods; we were able to concentrate on establishing recurring donations rather than being so heavily reliant on one-off fundraising events.

Projects at the forefront of our efforts included the campaign to raise sufficient funds and establish connections with the experts required, to enable us to dig a bore-hole to provide safe, clean drinking water for the Bathorë community in Albania. This had been a long-standing ambition since our first contact with that community, and required a solid base of funding so that the project could go ahead without any risk of delay mid-way through. Equally important was preparation of the community, who would be responsible for maintaining the security of the pump once in place.

This took place against a background of improvement in the Albanian political situation, with a government finally establishing itself; but at the same time, many of the larger charities were moving on to other acutely needy locations. Our ethos was to stick with the community and help to maintain its development.