In Albania, Changing Lives Through Education

When the final bell rings, school halls usually empty fast. It’s familiar everywhere – kids rushing home for a snack before meeting friends or playing games, teachers heading out to run errands and settle into the rest of their day.

At Amaro Tan, things look different.

Students and teachers stay long after the bell. You can find them scattered throughout the building, poring over books and worksheets, working through questions and assignments. The students stay because their progress depends on it. The after-school program is often the bridge they need to keep up with their classes, move on to the next grade, or even open the door to higher education.

The teachers have every reason to head home or on to second jobs, to care for family members, or simply rest after a long day. But they stay – out of commitment, out of compassion, out of a deep desire to see these children succeed.

For them, it’s never just about getting through a curriculum. It’s about guiding each student until understanding clicks, until confidence grows, until the material becomes something they can truly grasp.

Most of these children come from communities in which education is often viewed as unnecessary. For some, the idea of finishing high school is a milestone no one in their family has ever reached. Once boys are old enough to work, they will be out in the streets collecting scrap metal to sell. While many girls are married off in their early teenage years, whether it’s for their own survival or for some financial incentive for the parents.

The teachers know all of this. And it fuels their dedication.

This is the heart of Amaro Tan: a place where students feel supported, where learning continues long after class ends, and where the path toward a different future becomes just a little clearer each day.

But this work doesn’t happen automatically. The space, the staff, the meals, the transportation, the resources – everything that makes the after-school program possible depends on the generosity of people who believe in giving children a fair chance.

If you’d like to help keep these doors open long after the school day ends, your support can make that possible. Every contribution strengthens the program that helps these students take their next step forward.

As the school year comes to an end, many children are left either spending their days on the streets or stuck in difficult home environments. Amaro Tan offers a meaningful alternative through its summer programs, creating a safe and engaging space where children can enjoy their break in a positive way. With a mix of sports, games, educational activities, and more, the program gives young participants a chance to thrive during the summer months.

One of these initiatives is the Summer School program. While “summer school” often implies catching up on missed lessons, Amaro Tan takes a different approach. Held at the Amaro Tan center over a two-week period, the program is led by the same familiar teachers from the regular school year, who offer a variety of classes designed to spark children’s interests and enhance their learning. The goal goes beyond making up for academic gaps – it’s about encouraging creativity and exploration.

One of the options for the kids is cooking courses. They spend some time learning the different safety precautions to take in the kitchen – how to hold their fingers while they dice vegetables, laying ingredients into hot oil without getting it splashed back on them, etc. Then, they move on to how to combine ingredients to make delicious meals with the same types of ingredients they often would have in their homes.

Another course they have an opportunity to participate in is technology. In the computer lab, they learn their way around the operating system and how to use it, as well as different software, and spend some time playing educational games.

And we can’t forget the crafts! Thanks to teachers that can adapt the projects to any age group, many of the students are able to participate in various craft projects. From making playdough that they can mold into any shape they want to building and painting small models, there’s something for any skill set.

One of the best parts of the entire program is that it’s on a rotating schedule, so the children can pick and choose what interests – even if they have multiple – they have and dive deeper into how to increase their skill set.