Isuf and Remsia in the garden

To help the poor in Kosovo is something we feel compelled to do. At Mercy Projects we believe to help the poor is a witness of God’s love as well as a biblical command.

In Kosovo you don’t have to go far to observe poverty.  The 25% unemployment rate combined with destruction left over from the war has left widows and orphans in it’s wake.  At the same time however, many families have sons or fathers who now work in other countries and send their paychecks home. The new government has paved many of the village roads and a new freeway is under construction. Along with the poor, there is now an emerging middle class.  This is a good sign for the poorest country in Europe.

Isuf and son Genard

Isuf Begaj and his wife Remsia are the main co-workers for Mercy Projects in Kosovo.  Isuf enjoys helping the poor in Kosovo and he understands their plight.  During the war with Serbia, as Remsia fled to Albania with five young children by foot, Isuf and his brothers remained behind in the mountains to assist the KLA.  Today, Kosovo has a democratic form of government and an independent judiciary.

The Begajs, like most of the 700,000 refugees, returned to their home village of Banja only to find 80% of it burned out.  Their personal home, however was still standing. They know what it is like to lose everything. When I drove up to their home unexpectedly 13 years ago I could not have dreamed that a life long friendship had begun.  Isuf immediately began working with us to help other people in their area.  Whatever they possessed, they shared with us and others.  The situation for the poor in Kosovo is improving some, but for Isuf, as a Mercy Projects volunteer, he is always ready to help the poor in Kosovo.

-Jeff