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Solidarity
Summer 2002
07/31/2002
Tirana (Albania)
Special days at Tirana�s Psychiatric Hospital
It�s a special summer for many patients of the Psychiatric Hospital of Tirana. The presence of friends from the European Communities makes possible many new activities, like going out sightseeing.
The presence of the Italian friends at Tirana�s Psychiatric Hospital is a chance to go out and visit the city. Together, we discover how it�s changing very rapidly and we see a lot of new things: a children�s park, the public gardens, the decorated buildings, the enlightened bridges and much more.
We pay much attention as we prepare for going out: at the barber�s shop in the morning, then at the new laundry for choosing clothes. Somebody also needs made to measure shoes. Our friends stay waiting for the afternoon trip for hours before a window. Someone shows his shoes to all, as he imitates driving a car. Another one puts on the sunglasses received as a present and, at the end of the trip, entrusts them to us, in order not to lose them.
At last, we leave. Two minibuses and the white Land Rover form a short procession in the traffic of Tirana. Today, our destination is the Bellavista on the heights of Mount Daitj.
Around a table, refreshed by slight breeze, in the view of all Tirana and the valley, it�s a real pleasure to taste ice cream or coffee, which �is the philosophy of life�, says M. seriously. Around this table, under the curious look of the other clients, we talk about many things: family, Italy and�football, why not?
Here�s a guitar and G. plays Italian music, while N. accompanies him with the whistle of a rubber tube, taken out of his large shirt.
Once back, the smiling and quiet faces of our friends look so different from their daily life in the psychiatric ward. Also who cannot speak, like P., communicates with gestures his joy for this day to everyone.
This summer of friendship is really special: it gives back dignity to all and helps us to dream that such days may become not mere episodes in the future.
Mario Armanni
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