While a trip into the heart of a country still struggling to get over the effects of major war might not be some people’s idea of a holiday, Michelle Whittick, Rosehill Theatre’s marketing and administration manager, is made of sterner stuff.
Michelle has just returned from an aid trip to Kosovo, a country still crippled by the devastating effects of the war which raged through the region during the break up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. It was Michelle’s second trip to the country on behalf of the charity Hope and Aid Direct, and she plans to return later this year.
"The main problem that Kosovo has is that most of the aid agencies that went in to help during and after the war have now pulled out," she said. "They usually only offer five or ten year aid packages, and now those have either ended or are coming to an end and the agencies are focusing their attentions on other countries that need help. But there is still a lot of poverty in Kosovo, and the people are still having a really hard time of it."
Michelle has seen, at first hand, exactly the kind of suffering that still goes on.
"Kosovo is a country of such contrast – beautiful mountains covered in snow, yet hiding left-over land mines and people shivering in their homes of tents and corrugated huts. I was able to meet many people from different ethnic backgrounds who lived in Kosovo. They all had a heartbreaking story to tell. I was humbled by the hospitality of the locals – after delivering aid many would invite us into their homes, and offer us a drink. You would think this was kind of them but when we realise how little they have, yet how they want to share that with us, it is immense. Children reacted with absolute delight on being give a small bag of sweets – they finally had something that belonged to them, and were so very unaccustomed to receiving gifts.
"I visited The Hader Centre, a place for people with physical and learning disabilities – the only one of its kind in Kosovo. Hader has 228 adults and children as day guests, and about 20 who are residential. I was able to give gym equipment which had been donated and brought over from the UK. A rowing machine and stepper will help tremendously in the rehabilitation of the centre users, and I have never seen people as happy as they were when we unpacked the table tennis equipment."
Michelle was introduced to the charity when she was a Rotarian in Cardiff and first visited the country in October 2006. Before the latest trip to Kosovo Michelle raised funds, which she used to buy flour for people in the country.
"The money I raised, £645, including £150 donated by Egremont Today, went 100% towards helping the people of Kosovo. I was able to buy a very large quantity of flour to distribute amongst many villages. Flour is needed the most as bread is a large part of the diet. The cost of bread has risen hugely lately.
"One of my highlights was to personally hand deliver aid which family and friends had donated to me. One such item included a Jean Greenhow clown which my mum, Janet Whittick, had knitted. These clowns are very popular with the children in Kosovo."
Kosovo’s independence has recently been confirmed by the UN, but the conflict that caused the war is largely unresolved which means tension remains in the new state. Neighbouring Serbia has turned off the electricity supply, something Kosovo has no control of with the power stations on the Serbian side of the border.
Michelle added; "For some, the mood in Kosovo was jubilant after news of independence. For others, they were afraid of what will happen next. There is a lot of work still to be done to regenerate the country, and lots more aid will be needed."
Michelle, 26, is originally from Oxford and moved to West Cumbria when her partner got a job at Sellafield.
"I have really settled in the area. I think it suits me," she added.

Our pictures show, top right, Michelle presenting her clown to a little girl, lower left, Perspective in a picture: A girl treasures the gift of a ball among the ruins of her home