Mission Without Borders began its work in Albania in 1992. Based in the city port of Durres, employing only Albanian nationals, Mission Without Borders established various aid programs. These programs aimed to meet the needs of Durres most vulnerable people, the poor, orphaned and blind, and many ex-political prisoners. Such were our achievements by 1994, that the Albanian government officially recognised Mission Without Borders’s work and awarded Albania’s highest commendation - the Mother Theresa Award - to Mission Without Borders’ founding President, Lois Bass. Thanks to our Albanian staff, we were able to remain operational during the civil uprising in 1997, and subsequently we were one of the first to distribute emergency aid immediately following the crisis.

Today, Mission Without Borders aims to both encourage and support our beneficiaries towards self-sufficiency. For children we have developed vocational / educational project that aim to prepare them for a life of independence outside the Children’s institutions. Through Special Projects and emotional support families are given the extra means to take steps towards self-sufficiency.

• Population: 3.2 million (UN, 2005)
• Capital: Tirana
• Major language: Albanian
• Major religion: Islam
• Life expectancy: 71 years (men), 77 years (women) (UN, 2005)
• Monetary unit: 1 NZ dollar = 64.63 Albanian Lek
• Human Development Index Ranking: 73 (of 177 countries, 2006)