Anila's rescue

Anila's arrival in East Anglia has touched many lives

By the BBC's Bill Hamilton

Few can have experienced such a seesaw of emotions as Anila Bedo.

How can I ever forget my first encounter with this young Albanian orphan abandoned by her parents and left in a hospital for mentally disabled children in the northern city of Shkoder?

Whatever the cost, I was determined to rescue her... Believe me, it was worth every effort and every penny I paid out

Anila's adoptive mother Barbara Garikayi

Ten years ago, I arrived there with BBC News cameraman Bhasker Solanki, the first Western television team to film the shocking legacy of the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha, the man responsible for isolating his Balkan nation for nearly half a century.

As our vehicle sped through the entrance gate, a cloud of dust swirled around the filthy forecourt that provided the children with their only experience of the world outside.

On the upper floor, Anila, her neck craned through the distorted iron bars, listened to the commotion. She was totally blind, but could sense the excitement of others staring in disbelief at the mere sight of a visitor.

Nothing though had prepared us for what lay on the other side of the door.

Anila was abandoned in a hospital for mentally disabled children

Anila joined other children, some as young as three, who were huddled together on a cold stone floor in what the matron called the sitting room.

But there were no seats, no toys, no books, no comforts, not even a lick of paint on the walls.

Some of the children had open sores, but there were no ointments and no medicines.

Changes of clothing were so infrequent that most were forced to sit for hours covered in their own excrement.

New home in Norfolk

Shocked by the images, an ophthalmic team from London were spurred into action. They determined to try to restore Anila's sight and help others with serious eye problems.

Despite the primitive conditions of an Albanian operating theatre, their surgical skills succeeded in providing the outcome no-one had dared predict.

I think I'm becoming more English by the day. Any chance of a plate of fish and chips?

Anila Bedo

Sadly, the celebrations were cut short. Within weeks of returning to the Shkoder home, a knock in the face reversed all the surgeon's work. A devastating blow, but there was still to be one more twist to the story.

Watching the pictures back home in Norfolk, Barbara Garikayi decided to act. She had adopted two other severely disabled children and her experience in caring for them, she felt, might also offer Anila the chance of a fresh start.

"Whatever the cost, I was determined to rescue her. I went back to Albania six times before I was given permission to bring her to England for treatment. Believe me, it was worth every effort and every penny I paid out."

Multi-talented

Anila's arrival in East Anglia has touched many other lives.

Four days a week, she attends a college in Dereham where the deaf-blindness charity, Sense, is offering an individually tailored programme to develop her not inconsiderable skills.

Having mastered Braille and the basics of English, Anila is now rewarding those who invested so much in her welfare.

Anila's stepfather gave up a high-powered job to look after her

Sense's Assistant Director Janet McNeill says: "It's impossible to keep up with her. Every idea you suggest, Anila's up for it. She swims, rides, makes the most exquisite jewellery and even helps out at an old folk's home."

Her stepfather, Rodwell Garikayi, gave up a high-powered job in Zimbabwe, to look after Anila and the family's two other disabled children, Matthew and Sayini.

"I can think of nothing more worthwhile and just watching how well Anila has developed means more than anything to me. It really has been a life-changing experience."

Anila knows she will never regain her sight, but feels fortune has smiled on her in a big way.

"I think I'm becoming more English by the day," she says. "Any chance of a plate of fish and chips?"

Bill Hamilton will be joining us for a live forum on Monday at 1230 BST. You can put your questions to him about the situation in Albania. Send them in now using the form below.

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