In Gjirokaster, Help Roma Children Stay in School

Life is hard for many of the children in our Gjirokaster after-school program. Sometimes it's hard to believe when you see them at the center in Gjirokaster. They're typically whispering to one another and smiling. Especially when I am there to take photos! There's something about me that just makes all of them giggle every time I'm there. I'm not sure why it happens, but it makes for some pretty great photos. 

The truth about their lives is often extreme for many Americans to fully grasp, even when I went to visit the home of a couple of the children, I was a bit shocked to see the conditions in which they live. I’ve lived in Albania for over four years and it’s still a bit surprising when I see people who have no choice but to live in tents – or very rudimentary structures.

Despite all of this, the boys and girls find things that make them happy. And that is in large part thanks to the donors and the staff of NG Gjirokaster. With the help of some generous donors, we were able to provide these kids with a holiday celebration that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. They all got gifts for Christmas, and you can see from their smiles that they were having an incredible time.

Life isn’t easy for people all over the world, and in Albania it’s no exception. We are thankful for people like you who have donated in the past to put a smile on the faces of these children. If you’d like to make another donation, the project is ongoing and you can donate here.

Warmly,

James Leithart

Communications Director, NG USA

When the new school year started in Gjirokaster, Albania earlier this month, the children in NG's program were ready. Every year, the team helps the children to get their paperwork in order at school (which can be hard for parents with limited education) and sets each child up with clothes, shoes, a backpack, and the required school supplies. This reduces the stigma of poverty many Roma children experience attending public school. After school, the team makes sure they get a good (great, actually!) lunch and homework help before going home.

Four children in the program moved away this summer, and four new children have taken their place. Ana (8) and Embrai (11) heard about the program through word of mouth. Their parents are illiterate and unemployed, and their year-round home is basically a tent. Their mother says "my husband and I were unable to help our kids with homework because of illiteracy. We are very grateful for all support, with hot meals, food aid, and homework."

Enxhi, age 8, and Joeli, age 6, have older siblings who are already participating in this program-- and they are excited to finally be old enough to join! 

Your donations are making education, and improved prospects for a brighter future, possible for Ana, Embrai, Enxhi, Joeli, and the other children in the Gjirokaster after-school program. Many of them see firsthand how lack of education has held their parents back, and this is their best chance to break the cycle.

The program is ongoing, and you can support it here.

Gratefully yours,

Sarah Pita

Dear friend,

Our program manager in Gjirokaster recently shared this short video from a mother whose children are participating in the after-school program. Please find the time to watch it if you can-- it is only one minute long. Your donations have helped her and her children, among other Roma families in Gjirokaster area, to choose education and work toward a brighter future.

She says "I am a single mother raising three children, with great difficulty. I collect cans and other recyclables to sell it, and then feed my children. I thank Nehemiah Gateway Albania, because for three years they have helped us with food packages, education, school materials, and other essentials like clothing, backpacks, and shoes. They help us with food to eat, because I cannot afford it. They’ve also helped my children a lot with their homework. I didn’t have education, so I cannot help my children with that. Thanks to Nehemiah Gateway Albania, because they are the only ones who care for my children and me."

This program is ongoing, and you can support it here.

Gratefully yours,

Sarah Pita

Development Director, NG USA

Links:

• Video of Gjirokaster mom

Dear friend,

Seven-year-old Ledjana is in the second grade. She comes from a very poor family in the southern Albanian city of Gjirokaster. In Gjirokaster, unemployment is a perennial problem and there aren't a lot of options for supplemental income. Last year, tragedy struck Ledjana's family. Her ten-year-old brother was trying to earn some extra money collecting cans on the street when he was hit by a car and killed, leaving the family devastated.

NG Gjirokaster has been helping their family with aid parcels, and enrolled Ledjana in the school program so that she would have plenty of care and support. In addition to a daily hot meal, she has begun enjoying opportunities for activities  and social time with other children, as well as social/emotional support from our team. Thanks to NG Gjirokaster, she is learning to smile again.

Albania is feeling the same forces of inflation that are affecting the rest of the world, with additional complexity as war in Ukraine impacts supplies of fuel and commodities like wheat. Did you know that before the war, Albania got 50% of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine? Prices on everything are going up, which disproportionately impacts families like Ledjana's. It also impacts NG Gjirokaster, which now has to pay more for each aid bundle. Anxiety about an unknown future causes tremendous stress on families that are already stretched thin every day. 

Your support is helping us to lessen the hardship and uncertainty experienced by Ledjana and families like hers. Thanks to you, their children are going to school instead of begging, and they have a source of food and medicine they can count on. For most, it's the only help they can count on.

You can continue to support this important program here. 

Gratefully yours,

Sarah Pita

Development Director, NG USA

Dear friends--

Ten year old Aleksi is new to the Gjirokaster after school program this year. Aleksi is in third grade, and lives with his grandmother. He and his grandmother get a hot meal at the soup kitchen every day, and a monthly family aid parcel. Aleksi enjoys daily after-school activities and homework help from NG staff. Soup kitchen director Arjan Kociu reports that "Aleks loves the school. We are so excited to help this family in need."

Material aid helps to keep children like Aleksi in school, rather than begging or picking trash on the steep, cobbled streets of Gjirokaster. Education will give him more options as he grows up. Your support of this program is making it possible for Roma children in Gjirokaster to plan for a brighter future. 

This program is ongoing and you can continue supporting it here.

Gratefully yours, 

Sarah Pita