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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

CURRENT NEEDS

Both the New York Corporation and the Albanian Institute are currently run solely by volunteers until such funds can be obtained for any necessary salaried staff.

All sorts of help are solicited by both organizations, and it does not necessarily have to consist of financial contributions only.

Here are some of the specialized contributions that can be provided to the Ivanaj Foundation:

networking assistance for planning fundraising and research activities;

planning expertise for financial development work;

research support for investigating and drafting grant proposals;

librarian or cataloging help for documents' recording;

consulting or technical support for the organization of computerized systems;

engineering or architectural advice for the renovation of the property;

solicitation aid for contributions in kind (i.e.: books, equipment, documents, etc.)

recruiting of appropriate lecturers to conduct pro bono training, and seminars at the Institute in the future.

Financial contributions and donations in cash can be directed either to the New York Corporation or to the Albanian Institute, at their respective addresses and attention:

The Martin and Mirash Ivanaj Foundation
Cherokee Station - PO Box 20661, New York, NY 10021-0073
Attn.: Drita Ivanaj - Tel/Fax: (212) 744-4294

M.& M. Ivanaj Foundation Institute
Rruga Kristaq Mema, Nr. 7/1 Tirana, Albania
Attn.: Pertefe Leka Tel: (355) 42-29502

Anyone wanting to do something for Albanian youth and its future in its own country, here is your chance!! Any type of contribution, large or small, is tax deductible; it can help and will be welcomed!!

SOME ACCOMPLISHMENTS

May 1995 - After eight long months of negotiations and arrangements, on the 55th anniversary of his death, the remains of Dr. Martin Ivanaj were brought back from exile and re-interred in Albanian soil. He had died in Istanbul, Turkey, in May 1940. He now lays in the family plot at the cemetery of Tirana, right next to his brother, Prof. Mirash Ivanaj, who expired after seven years of imprisonment in Tirana on September 22, 1953. The inscription on their cemetery stone reads:

"PER ATDHEUN SE BASKU NË JETE DHE NË VDEKJE" (For the country, united in life and in death)

As they were reunited in the land of their origin, the daughter of Dr. Martin, Drita Ivanaj, created the Foundation bearing their names in New York City.

October 1996 - The "M. & M. Ivanaj Foundation Institute" was legally established as a non-profit organization in Tirana, Albania.

April 1999 - During the early stages of the catastrophe that ripped Kosova and the entire Balkan region, the Foundation was approached by Dr. Steven Porter of California, who wanted to volunteer medical services, at his expense, for a short period of time during the height of the displacement of Kosovars in Albania. We were able to help him find a solution to his wish of entering the country expeditiously, and, thanks to our efficient and coordinating friends in Tirana, he found there a place to stay, communicate, and operate from.

During this same chaotic period, when the largest humanitarian organizations were gearing up to lend their support, we were contacted by some of our American friends, who wanted to make contributions, both in cash and clothing, and be assured that their donations were efficiently, quickly, and appropriately handled. We gladly put our organization at their disposal for this purpose, and, within one week, 100% of the money collected, was transferred to Tirana, at our expense, and it went to Kosovar women giving birth during the first 2 weeks of their arrival in the Albanian capital. Several cartons of clothing that we also collected were kindly picked up by some Albanian friends in the New York City area, and found their way overseas as quickly as possible.

September 1999 - We spent two weeks in Tirana to re-organize our plans for the Institute, which had taken a step back during these past couple of years of one crisis after another and subsequent changes in government. We found renewed faith in our future and our volunteer staff there willing to renew their efforts for our common cause.

November 1999 - Our first publication, entitled "An Albanian Revival", became a reality just in time for the Albanian festivities of November 28th. . It was a fortuitous coincidence to come across this historic document as the crisis of Kosova was unfolding in late 1998. We decided to reprint it in its original Italian version, and had it translated also into Albanian. Its content is as vital today to the Albanian cause as it was almost 90 years ago. It should be reflected upon not only to ponder the past, but also to learn to build a better future.
For more details and a synopsis (both in English and Albanian) of this book, please refer to Press Release No.1 in our previous section.