In the height of summer, while many of his peers were enjoying their vacations by the lake or the sea, 14-year-old Ardis Plisi from Shirokë, a neighborhood in Shkodër, Albania, chose a different path. Driven by a strong sense of responsibility, Ardis decided to work throughout the summer to support his family finan cially.
.png "14-Year-Old Albanian Boy Returns Lost Bag to Tourist") |
| Katrine Fabianne shaking hands with Ardis Plisi |
Ardis’s dedication to his work was matched by his remarkable character. His honesty and generosity not only brought pride to Shirokë but also highlighted the noble values deeply rooted in Albanian culture. Recently, this young boy’s integrity was put to the test, and his response earned him the admiration of many.
Just two days ago, while working at a local café, Ardis found a bag left on a table by a Belgian tourist. Inside, the bag contained a significant amount of money, bank cards, important documents, and an airline ticket.
“There were cards, a lot of money, an airline ticket, documents, and many other important things. Why wouldn’t I return it? My parents taught me that lost belongings should be returned to their owner,” Ardis explained to local media.
The café owner, who hired Ardis, had only praise for the young boy. “I hired him immediately because he’s a smart and hardworking boy. He practically runs the entire place. He works 16 hours a day. I was very impressed by his gesture,” said the café owner.
Meanwhile, the Belgian tourist, Katrine Fabianne, was unaware of the fate of her belongings. It was only after she arrived in Theth to check into her hotel that she realized her bag was missing. Panic set in as she feared the worst, thinking she had lost all hope of recovering her money, bank cards, and passports.
“I went to the car in the evening in Theth to get my bag, and it wasn’t there. I told my boyfriend that I had forgotten it in Shirokë, and he responded, ‘Now we’re finished.’ I tried to find the café online and call, but it was impossible. We started heading back to Shkodër when suddenly, my phone was flooded with messages on Facebook. Dozens of Albanians had seen an online post about the found bag and were trying to help me.
They informed me that a young boy had found the bag and handed it over to the police. I went to the police station and got everything back. I could never have imagined something like this happening, not even in my wildest dreams. I am incredibly grateful to Ardis. Unlike the negative things we sometimes hear about Albanians in Europe, I found something completely different here—fantastic people,” Katrine shared.
This heartwarming story of Ardis Plisi is not the first of its kind in Shkodër. Just two years ago, another young boy, 16-year-old Erind Shkambaj, discovered a wallet on the ground containing over 6,000 euros. He too returned it to an Italian tourist who had lost it.
These stories of honesty and kindness serve as powerful reminders of the values that are still very much alive in Albania. Through their actions, young people like Ardis and Erind are not only helping those in need but also changing perceptions and showcasing the true spirit of their country.