As a result of communism, Albania's economy was devastated to such a degree that it will take decades to repair. Independence in Albania came in December of 1990 and since then Albanians have been faced with high unemployment, insufficient pensions, rising food prices and unemployment as high as seventy percent. Life is hard for the families we work with, and a good education for their children will open doors and create opportunities for them. 587 of the children from sponsored families received a backpack and school supplies, and we have provided 21 scholarships for young people from our sponsored families who are now attending university – something they never believed could happen.

The bitter fighting of a war that claimed the lives of over 250,000 people, has caused tremendous decrease in work production, a soaring inflation rate and extreme human suffering in this country. Despite the cease-fire, ethnic tension is still a daily problem. Murder, aggression, intimidation and abuse toward families have not abated. Refugees remain displaced, unable to return to their native towns and abandoned homes. MWB has been supporting families in this country since 1995, providing clothing, food, hygiene parcels and school supplies. In addition to meeting the material needs, our Family Sponsorship program offers hope for many by providing them with Christian input and support.

Bulgaria is one of the main sources of human trafficking in the EU; women and children are increasingly sex trafficked domestically, as well as in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and the US; adults and children become forced labourers in agriculture, construction, and the service sector in Europe, Israel, and Zambia; Romanian girls are also subjected to sex trafficking in Bulgaria. Mission Without Borders in Bulgaria supports young vulnerable families - and the majority are from a Roma background. We hope to help these families build a strong and sustainable future for themselves and for future generations.

For Moldovans, the last decade has been characterized by economic and social collapse as well as full political chaos. A million inhabitants, from a population of just over 3.5 million, have fled the country in hopes of finding work. Families are split up and children are left to fend in institutions and orphanages. Due to extreme poverty, parents are forced to send their children away to such places. If not, then they will starve to death. By offering assistance to destitute families, we hope to prevent a mother or a father from leaving the country in order to find work. We can contribute to keeping the families together and to spare the children the traumatic experiences of being abandoned by their parents to an institution.

In 2007 Romania joined the EU. Whilst this move is helpful for much of the country, the poor continue to be forgotten and struggle to rise out of their poverty towards self-sufficiency. The current Romanian economic environment has left most of the modest families in the impossibility to help themselves. The material support combined with the spiritual, emotional and education support offered to the families in our Sponsorship program helps towards reducing the family's deplorable living conditions and offers them new perspectives and hope.

Ukraine is going through a difficult period in its history. The war in the east of Ukraine, the weak economy and political instability all create tension and uncertainty in the nation. At such times, MWB Ukraine continues offering hope, love and support. We plan to support families living in poverty and provide much needed relief to the people in the conflict zone in East Ukraine, working to help restore the homes of struggling families and the heart of this nation.