Since 2006, Newcraigs has been suppoting an organisation in Albania called GLAM - God Loves Albania Ministries- with regular financial support and also teams from the church who visit to provide practical support.

GLAM, founded in 1991 by Dutch missionary Gesina Blaauw, was originally formed to bring humanitarian aid to an impoverished country following the fall of communism. However, in 1995, in direct response to the clear need within the country, GLAM changed its focus to reach out and care for people with disabilities. A former state farm in the village of Marikaj was purchased in 1996 and converted to a centre for the rehabilitation and training for the disabled, which now incorporates a school, physiotherapy department, sports facilities, a swimming pool as well as adapted accommodation.

Several of our members, under the leadership of Colin and Eleanor McLachlan, have visited the project where teenagers and young adults with any kind of disability are given an education, helped physically e.g. physiotherapy, and generally encouraged to feel they have a positive role to play in the local community.  Traditionally in Albania this is a group who would be discriminated against simply by a lack of inclusion in society.

Church members who have been to GLAM come back feeling they have probably benefited more than the students because of the fellowship, thanks and gratitude they receive for what they have done for them.  Some of the activities they have been involved in helping with have included clearing and replanting an area that was scrub, erecting new gates, fitting mosquito screens, building an entrance to the swimming pool for the disabled and lots of decorating ! At the same time the team has run Bible teaching programmes which the students thoroughly enjoyed.  They come home exhausted but happy !