When A2B stayed committed to supporting Xhemal & Hanme as they took on bringing up their grandson, the outcome was life-changing.
At just 7 years old, Mireli found himself practically orphaned. His father left when he was 2 and his mother had just been admitted to a psychiatric clinic. Fortunately, his grandparents, Xhemal & Hanme, stepped in and took on the responsibility for caring for him.
House of Opportunity partners with A2B Albania and supports the work it does with vulnerable individuals, families and communities in the region of Elbasan.
When A2B director Alketa Hasani visited Mireli and his grandparents, she was proudly shown the cow, “which lives in an adventurously constructed shed”. This cow was a lifeline for the family, providing much needed milk and cheese. Unfortunately, this was not enough to cover the unexpected costs of bringing up a little – and growing – boy.
Through the Family Link programme, which supports the most vulnerable in Albanian society through regular practical support, A2B were able to provide this family with food and clothing packages for more than ten, vital, years. Without this extra help, the family would have ended up destitute. Instead, the practical support packages, plus the open invitation to attend after-school clubs, summer camps and be a part of the community centre, has meant that Mireli was able to receive the school education he needed, and was then further supported to study at university. Now, he is about to graduate with a law degree!
A little bit of love and practical care really can go a very long way and, ultimately, change someone’s life – and we are sure many more lives will now be positively impacted as a result of this initial support. If you would like to find out more about the Family Link programme and how you could sponsor a family, please do get in touch.