The Macedonian Connection
Submitted by: Penko from United States
Submitted on: Sun 30 Nov, 2008
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It seems so many in the Macedonian Diaspora are actively engaged in arguing with the Greeks over our national identity and related matters. Rather than channel all this effort for political and other purposes only, I recommend we overseas Macedonian direct our intellect, creativity and energies into assisting the Republic in small but meaningful ways. In small groups, this can be done. Let me share my own experiences which is the basis of this suggestion.
I began a one-person effort to see how I could help my ancestral homeland. I searched many Macedonian websites and was motivated into action when I discovered that journalism students at the University had to obtain their own manual typewriters before enrolling in course work. I was genuinely disturbed by this not only because manual typewriters were being used for academic work (instead of computers). but also the equipment could not be provided by the University. Through the internet, I made contact with a University administrator who both welcomed the idea of receiving used computers for the students and who encouraged me in my endeavor.
My first task was to locate a source of used computers that a potential donor no longer needed. After searching numerous government agencies, foundations and related websites, I stumbled upon a major American corporation that donates their unwanted used computers to charities. Initially, I was told this corporation only gives to American charities and never to any overseas causes. After much communication with the proper company officials, they ageed to donate two dozen complete desktop systems to a legitimate recipient in Macedonia.
The next obstacle was how to pick up the computers from the company's location, package them and ship them to Macedonia. Notwithstanding this obstacle, was the issue of getting the donated computers through Macedonian customs and being certain they eventually got to the students. I felt overwhelmed with these tasks and was about to abandon the entire project even though I spent several months getting to this point.
Thanks to a few contacts I made through University related people, I found the names of several overseas Macedonains who volunteered their assistance in this probject. One in particular, a Macedonian Canadian, agreed to take on the responsibility to transport the computers to Skopje. He is in charge of worldwide shipping operations of a major Canadian company and has the expertise to do this. Another Macedonian from the USA offerred guidance in dealing with Macedonian customs. Still another agreed to contact Washington, DC to determine if the American government would allow such a shipment. Several Macedonians in Skopje offerred insight and assistance in dealing with their own customs agency. Ever so slowly, I sensed we all shared a common desire to help Macedonia in small, yet unique ways.
Throughout our communications with one another, I and this small group of dedicated Macedonians became bonded in a way none of us had ever felt before. There was a realization that we, as individuals, could do somthing constructive and positive for our homeland. We also knew none of us could have accomplished this task alone, but as a dedicated groupd working collectively for a common good, we felt we could do it. We started to refer to our efforts as THE MACEDONIAN CONNECTION and used this as the subject of all our emails to one another. One credo became: "Don't say it can't be done... Ask how can i do it?"
Those who are involved in the Macedonian Connection agreed we will never have a political agenda in our endeavors. Instead, we would welcome all Macedonians who are interested in promoting the economic, educational, cultural and social advancement of the Republic. Finallly we agreed The Macedonian Connection would be strictly volunteer-based and not a solicition for funds whatsoever.
Over a period of time, other potential projects were discussed amongst ourselves. The first and most obvious was to locate more used computer systems for the University, for Macedonian high schools and similar institutions in need. Other projects we discussed was finding and donating unwanted medical equipment to Macedonain hospitals and clinics which do not have the resources to acquire them (we made initial contact with Project Hope who encouraged us with this effort). Another project that was discussed was the acquisition of books, manuals, periodicals, etc. for libraries and educational institutions from kindergarten to the university level. In conjunction with this, we also discussed the acquisition of learning equipment and related tools. Still another was to establish a program to bring overseas Macedonian students and adults of all ages to the Republic to volunteer their expertise and time to worthy causes and projects (we refer to this potential project The Macedonian Heritage Village). There are other "do-able" projects under discussion that are too numerous to list here.
Throughout our discussions, one theme that surfaced continually was that our small group could never do all these things alone. Cleraly, these undertakings must be initiated and worked on by other overseas Macedonians. Perhaps projects could be started with a small group of dedicated people in the Macedonian Churches scattered throughout the world. Maybe a project could be started by motivated oveseas Macedonians who would create a network with others to accomplish something meaningful.
In essence, The Macedonian Connection was established to offer overseas Macedonians the opportunity to assist our homeland in many different ways. Its purpose is to harness the talents and energies of overseas Macedonians who want to help but don't know how.
Perhaps like the rolling stone that gathers moss, the Macedonian Connection will grow and expand as more overseas Macedonians become committed to the concept that we can do something constructive in spite of our small numbers and limited resources. To that end, I am offering my email address for those who wish to contact me and start dialogues on this entire subject. I can be reached at 518-588-8900 (which is my private line) or grtalx@aol.com
Remember: Don't say it can't be done....Ask how can I do it?
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