09/11/2007
First-year students at the University of Vlora in Albania are being denied the opportunity to take an orientation course produced by Christians due to objections from the student government of the university.
The course, called Seminari i Orientimit Studentor (Student Orientation Seminar, or SOS), is organised by the Instituti Jeta e Re, the name of the Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) ministry in Albania.
BMS long-term worker in Vlora Graham Sansom reports, “SOS includes presentations and a student manual containing numerous practical tips, a weekly diary and short articles which do have a Christian basis, but are not overtly Christian.”
Bill Babione, National Director of CCC in Albania, comments,
“The rector of the university was keen to allow SOS to run again this year, but when the student government threatened to protest, CCC and the university’s administration decided to postpone it for this year. We simply want to let the dust settle.”
Funding
SOS is funded by the American Embassy in Albania, who often gives grant money for educational initiatives like SOS and student exchange programmes.
The embassy did not comment directly on the Vlora situation, but did say, “Grant money given depends on the purpose of what is being funded as well as the amount of money available – the point being to promote American culture and events.”
Ultimately, it is the students who lose out. Graham (right) says, “This is a greatly-appreciated service because there is no other such provision for these students. The other six universities in Albania have welcomed CCC again this year.”
Please pray:
- For the students in Vlora who will not benefit from SOS this year.
- For the work of Graham Sansom, Bill Babione and the others at the Instituti Jeta e Re who do God’s work with the students and people of Vlora.
- That the student government would soften its opinions of SOS and start giving students the option of taking the seminar.