A success story amid challenges of working with children in a marginalised community.
Our Albanian partner organisation, A2B, started a new early years centre in Rrogozhinё, under the banner of their “Another Life” Early Years programme last September. The team knew it wouldn’t be easy. The community is difficult, and the team faced mistrust, a lack of cooperation, and, a harsh reality; the children and families here were not invested in the idea of education. The lack of hope and deep economic hardship had created a culture of withdrawal from school and personal development.
One of the other great challenges was finding qualified staff who not only had professional training but also a compassionate heart for the poor. Working in this community required more than knowledge; it demanded patience, love, and true dedication.
The harsh economic and social conditions, and lack of infrastructure meant that the team had to start with small steps: fun activities and creative teaching in, crucially, a safe and caring environment for the children.
After 6-7 months, the team began to see a change. The children started attending regularly. They began asking questions. Laughing more. Feeling valued. Parents started to show interest, and the community slowly began to open up.
During the months of May and June, Nertila Shaipi agreed to take on the management of the project. Nertila had also managed A2B’s “Another Life” Early Years project in nearby Peqin, from the very beginning of its work. After a successful experience filled with challenges and sacrifices, in 2021 Nertila was diagnosed with cancer. She stepped away to undergo treatment in Greece, but, by the grace of God, Nertila is now fully healed.
Nertila’s involvement in the project has brought with it the positive experience of her previous work in Roma communities. Both the children and their parents feel welcome and loved and enjoy the safety of the family environment created by the team within the Social Centre.
Over the summer months, House of Opportunity resident Stesi brought a team of volunteers from A2B’s Hope for the Future social centre and, together with Nertila, ran a daily summer camp. 20–25 children enjoyed different activities, including crafts, stories and social lessons, songs, games, and meals.
“These were the most beautiful days of our lives,” the children told us.
The children loved the craft times and especially looked forward to the meals because almost all of them were hungry and undernourished. Ermali, one of the children, would be waiting for the team to arrive and would immediately ask, “Did you bring food today? What are we going to eat? When will we eat?”
This summer camp was also blessing to the team and an encouragement to all at A2B. It helped bring the team closer to the children and their families, and today, the work in Rrogozhinё is a success, not because it has changed everything, but because it has lit a spark of hope in a place where there was once only darkness. The children of this community now have a place where they feel loved and motivated to learn. Now they can begin to dream of a better future: Another Life.