Standing beside families living in fear and isolation—offering compassion, dignity, and hope for peace.
Gjakmarrje — the tradition of blood feud — is a painful legacy of Albania’s past, where one family seeks revenge for a killing by targeting the killer’s relatives. Though rooted in old customary law, it is illegal and widely condemned today. Yet, in some remote areas, its shadow still lingers.
We visited the quiet courtyards of Shkodra, where families continue to live under its weight. Together with teacher Liljana Luani, a woman of rare courage who has long stood beside them, we brought food packages — and, more importantly, care and compassion.
Behind closed doors, we heard stories of loss, fear, and remarkable resilience. We saw eyes searching for hope and families holding onto dignity in the face of impossible circumstances. Sometimes, a shared meal or a few kind words are enough to remind people that they are not forgotten.
We dream of the day when fear and isolation are replaced by fairness and peace. Until then, every act of kindness — no matter how small — is a step toward breaking the chains of the past.
