The Cani Family of Saint George

The village of Saint George (Shen Gjergji) is a beautiful escape from the busy modern city of Tirana, Albanian's capitol.  Tucked in the Mali me Gropa mountain range, this historical place where the first school of Tirana county opened and also is where we have family.  Our Albanian family has many roots there including the Cani (tsah-knee) family.  Emiland Skora's mom and dad (mami and babi) grew up in this village and still have family there.  The Cani's are his mom's side of the family and her brother and cousins are neighbors. 

We write this post today to bring sad news but we hope that posting this can bring hope to the Cani family.  Brothers Kalem and Enver Cani and their families lived in a cozy home next door to Landi's uncle.  Unfortunately, a few days ago, one of the old electrical wires sparked in the walls of their over 100 year old home.  Now, Enver, his wife Zenepe, their sons Elton and Arion, one of their daughters Ela, Kalim, his wife Fija, and their sons Arjet and Sokol are living between two small rooms between two neighbor homes in the country.  These 10 people live off of $200 per month, which is the parents' pension from the state, so they do not have any money to spare to fix their home.  Enver works in the mountain forests and does not work in the winter due to snow and other winter weather.  Kalem is a tax driver between Tirana and Shen Gjergji but is unable to work through the winter months as snow closes the mountain roads.  Also, Kalim and Fija's son Sokol recently broke his leg in three places and is recovering slowly. 

Right now, they need to fix the roof in the house so they have somewhere to live as they are unable to stay with the Landi's uncle for the long term due to space (Landi's uncle has a wife, 2 sons, a daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and elderly mother in their family home).  To fix their entire 2 story house, it would cost $10,000 USD.  Right now, they literally just need a roof over their heads. 

Please help them start their New Year right with a place to call home again.  MI is taking donations to help this family.  Any amount would be appreciated and 100% of the money will go directly to the Enver and Kalim's families.  You can donate cash, check, or money order to the Cani Family care of Mediterranean Imports.  You can also ship items to this family, if you prefer.  Contact us at laureneskora@gmail.com for address information.  Our Albanian family will be helping in the building of this home as well as local builders in Shen Gjergji.

MI will start by donating $100 towards their new roof.  We hope that you are able to offer a gift to this family during the holiday season.  Thank you for reading and pass this information on to all who can offer any means of support- financial and spiritual.

Gjithe te mirat dhe ju bekofte Zoti
"All the best and God Bless"
MI

Great Reads About Essential Oils



Great reads for someone new to essential oils.  There is so much to learn in this field so it is nice to have a go-to reference books.

Gjithe te mirat,

"All the best"

MI

Silver Fir and Its Uses

Abies Alba

Another popular essential oil on the market today is Silver Fir.  This post is another opportunity to learn how this oil can be helpful and useful for day to day activities.  It is also a great oil to use in your home during the holiday season in your difusers.  See below for more information about Silver Fir oil.

Traditional Use of Silver Fir

Silver fir was popular in Europe because of its medicinal value; it was used to treat muscle pain, rheumatic pain, fever and respiratory problems. It is a popular fir needle oil in Europe and the U.S. because of its healing association with pine forests.

Use of Silver Fir in Aromatherapy

Silver fir has a number of properties which are used in aromatherapy; silver fir essential oil is used to treat arthritis, muscle pain, rheumatism, sinusitis, flu, bronchitis, coughs and colds. The properties of silver fir oil include:

• antiseptic
• analgesic
• expectorant
• stimulant
• deodorant
• immuno-stimulant.

Other Uses of Silver Fir
Silver fir is found as an ingredient in cough and cold pharmaceutical preparations and in remedies for rheumatism; it is commonly used as ingredient in room sprays, disinfectants, perfumes, soaps and deodorants because of its appealing aroma and its ability to banish unpleasant aromas. It can be used as an alternative to scotch pine.

Silver fir essential oil blends well with other pine oils, lavender, lemon and rosemary essential oils; it is not considered to be irritating or normally cause sensitization. It is also non-toxic.

References:

• Lawless, Julia 1999 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils UK:Thorsons
• Penny Price Academy of Aromatherapy, UK

Link to original article

Gjithe te mirat,

"All the best"

MI

Economic Growth and Trade February 2010

The article below indicates how USAID will be helping companies grow and develop with the country of Albania.  This program is one of many helpful developing missions and is a wonderful asset to companies like MI.

Even since this article was written in February of this year, there have been improvements in the sectors mentioned below.  The great thing about having organizations like USAID involved in Albanian development is that data collected can be analyzed and studied to determine how programs are truly affecting the industry and country.  Websites like EuroStat contain trade and growth statistics but during the mid 1990s and before, the data is not necessarily reliable due to government transitions; hence, long term trends are not technically sound assumptions.  Now that an organization like USAID, in addition to many others, is collecting and analyzing data, accurate and statistically sound recommendations and forecasts can be made about markets like the agricultural sector, specificially with essential oils.

Photo Credit: USAID/Albania Sixty percent of Albania’s labor force works in the agriculture sector, and the sector accounts for 23 percent of Albania’s GDP. USAID is helping Albanian farmers and agribusinesses increase productivity and competitiveness.

Promoting Economic Growth and Prosperity

Before the effects of the global economic and financial crisis intensified in the last quarter of 2008, Albania had enjoyed an average annual GDP growth rate of 6.0%, thanks to continued macroeconomic stability and strong migrant remittances. The GDP per capita increased by 15.5%, from $3,429 in 2007 to $3,963 in 2008. However, the global crisis caused an economic downturn in early 2009, reducing Albania’s GDP growth rate to about 0.7%.The economy is expected to start improving in the latter part of 2009. Still, Albania remains one of the poorest countries in Europe and its per capita income is among the lowest in the Balkan region. High unemployment, low foreign direct investment (FDI), and a widening trade deficit are all causes for concern.

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the driving force for Albania’s economic growth and job creation. They account for 99.5% of private enterprises and about 75% of total employment in non-agricultural sectors.  However, the development of MSMEs has been hindered by their weak competitive capacity, their limited access to commercial credit and the unfavorable business environment caused by unfair competition, and inconsistent application of fiscal laws and regulations. In addition, poor infrastructure (energy, communication, and transportation), disputable property ownership, and weak rule of law discourage domestic and foreign investments. Despite some improvement in its ranking, Albania still trails most other countries in the region in the World Economic Forum global competitiveness index for 2009.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
USAID’s Economic Growth program promotes sustained, broad-based economic growth. It aims to address the constraints to private enterprise development, decrease trade deficit, increase FDI, create employment, and reduce poverty. USAID will achieve the program objective through strengthening the competitive capacity of private enterprises; increasing access of MSMEs to credit; and fostering a policy environment that enhances business development, trade and private investment.
PROGRAM FOCUS

• Improving trade and investment capacity;
• Maintaining stability and soundness of the financial sector through improved supervision, risk management and regulatory environment;
• Strengthening regulatory capacity for the energy sector and supporting the privatization of Albanian Power Corporation’s distribution function;
• Increasing agricultural sector productivity and competitiveness;
• Improving private sector competitiveness through productivity improvement and workforce development.

Link to the original article

Gjithe te mirat!
"All the best!"

MI

USAID Opens New Agriculture Information Office January 2010

Please see the article below about the office that MI has been and will continue to work with throughout its operations.

USAID Program Officer, Mr. Sean Huff (center) cuts the ribbon with President of the Agrifood Traders Union, Mr. Roland Hysa (left) and Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Tokli Thomai (right), at the entrance of the new Market Information and Trade Facilitation Office in Tirana. The office is one of several programs supported by USAID to improve the competitiveness of Albanian agribusinesses.

TIRANA, JANUARY 22, 2010    

Today, USAID launched a new initiative to support the development of Albania’s agricultural markets.  In a ribbon cutting ceremony at Tirana’s Wholesale Market, USAID official, Sean Huff, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection, Tokli Thomai inaugurated the new Market Information and Trade Facilitation Office.  The office, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection and the Agri-food Traders Union, will collect market data for select agriculture commodities, disseminate information regarding prices, availability and market trends to wholesale raders, and facilitate sales transactions between farmers and wholesale traders.

At the ceremony Mr. Huff described how the office would address several issues constraining the development of Albania’s agriculture sector.  

“Timely and accurate market information is key to reducing uncertainty about market trends.  It enhances competition among farmers, traders and consumers, and enables farmers to respond effectively to market demands,” said Huff. “Through programs like the opening of this new information office, USAID hopes to enhance the competitiveness of the Albanian products in domestic and international markets.”  

USAID’s Albanian Agriculture Competitiveness program supports input suppliers, farmers, processors and traders to increase productivity, improve quality, respond effectively to business opportunities, and establish long-term business relationships.  

Although the concepts of market information and trade facilitation offices are relatively new to the region, its application is expected to result in a significant increase in sales transactions and reduce the reliance on imported fruits and vegetables.  

Initial steps have already begun to produce results. Since USAID and the Ministry of Agriculture launched Albania’s first multi-media information system in January 2009, SITA (Information System for Trade and Agribusiness) has been providing thousands of farmers and traders with daily wholesale and retail prices for 22 commodities from four major markets around the country.  The information is sent through newspapers and the internet notifications and also broadcast throughout the day on two national television channels.  SITA also produces weekly and monthly market analysis reports.

For more information about USAID activities to support the Albanian agriculture sector, please visit http://albania.usaid.gov/.

Link to original article

Gjithe te mirat!
"All the best!"

MI

USAID Press Release March 19, 2008

Please see the article below that indicates the recent growth and interest in the essential oil industry. 

Photo Credit: USAID EDEM Project

International Trade Fair Welcomes Albanian Organic Products

MARCH 6, 2008    

Participation at international trade fairs is making a valuable contribution to the bottom lines of four Albanian herb and spice companies handling herbs and spices, essential oils, chestnuts and mushrooms.  Preliminary new export sales estimates based on contacts with over 350 traders from USA, Germany, Austria, France, Israel, Switzerland, Spain and Italy and Poland, are expected to reach approximately $1,070,000, a 21% increase from 2007.  The AMLA, Tomadhea, Xherdo, and the Albanian Trading companies, all producing organically certified products, participated at the BioFach 2008 Trade Fair held on February 21-24 in Nuremburg, Germany.  These companies represented Albania at the country’s exhibition stand made possible through the financial support of USAID, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumers Protection, GTZ, and SASA/Fible.

USAID’s contribution to BioFach 2008 enabled the Albania and participating businesses to take part in this important international organic production and trade fair. The companies established new trade links and strengthened existing ones and gained first-hand knowledge on the packaging, labeling, value adding and technology upgrades which will lead to further economic success of the companies and their support network.

Prior to the fair, USAID’s Enterprise Development and Export Market Services program prepared promotional materials for the exhibiting companies and the Albanian Essence Producers and Cultivators Association (EPCA).  During the fair, the project facilitated business to business meetings with interested buyers and managed the stand. After returning to Albania, USAID will continue to provide vital follow-up support to develop business contacts initiated at the fair.

Link to original article

Gjithe te mirat!
"All the best"

MI

Website Updates

Take a look at the improved website!  It is a work in progress, but Costas is doing a fantastic job of making our ideas come to life.  Thank you, Costas!

Gjithe te mirat
"All the best"

MI

Essential Oils During the Holidays

Found a great article on eHow.com that talks about you can use essential oils in your holiday celebrations.  Take a look at a few of their tips below.  Also, see the link listed here.


1. Set the mood before guests arrive by diffusing a blend of cinnamon, clove, and vanilla or orange oils.  You can use clove studded oranges for centerpieces as well as aroma.
2. When preparing your home for guests, put a cottonball soaked in geranium oil in the vaccuum bag.  This should help to eliminate pet odors.
3. Diffuse citrus oils like tangerine, lemon, grapefruit, etc. throughout your home but especially in bathrooms and bedrooms. 
4. To dimish odors in your home, boil a large pot of water and remove it from the heat.  Add a few drops of clove oil.
5. For relaxation and conversation starting, use blends like rosemary, lavendar, or grapefruit.
6. To get your bathrooms ready for holiday guests, use blends with lavendar and thyme essential oils.  eHow.com recommends sprinkling a few drops on a small bowl of pebbles.
7. Keep your home illness free for the holidays with blends of eucalyptus, tea tree, or lavendar oils in a difuser or humidifier.
8. You can also use essential oils' natural properties to make natural hand santizer.  Will post that in another post soon!
9. You holiday house guests will have a spa experience with this tip: place a small bowl of salts with a few drops of essential oil.  Some great oils are grapefruit, rosemary and geranium blends, or juniper and rosemary.  It is said that the juniper and rosemary are detoxifying and energizing for food hangover sufferers.
10. Adding essential oils to your bath water can aid with indigestion relief.  Add two drops each of lavendar, grapefruit, and rosemary to a tablespoon of a carrier oil (almond oil is a popular one). 

MI's price list will be available soon on our website.  Soon you can purchase essential oils like rosemary, lavendar, thyme, and geranium to use in your home.

Hope you found these tips helpful and enjoy your holiday season!

To all our American readers, hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!  Gezuar Diten e Falinderimeve!

Gjithe te mirat
"All the best"

MI