Together with Don Bosco the H. Stepic CEE Charity takes care of Albanian street children to facilitate them with access to education and thus enable them to a better future. Since the project’s beginnings a lot has already been achieved. Numerous children and adolescents were convinced to start over again with their educational trainings. They were assigned into classes and are educated according to their special needs.
On 13 March Peter Lennkh, board member of Raiffeisen Bank International as well as a committed board member of the H. Stepic CEE Charity, visited the institution to convince himself of the many great progresses that have been made onsite. The Director of the Centre, Don Arben Gilaj briefed him on the daily activity of the centre. Afterwards, he enjoyed the artistic program prepared by the centre and distributed some soccer balls he brought for the children.He spent quality time with the children, got to know them and their worries better and played with them. “Getting to know the children in person deepens the relationship to our protégés. For me, it is an enrichment to get to know them and to see that our commitment at the centre bears fruits”, said Peter Lennkh.
180 street children were identified for the project at its start. Currently, 123 children and adolescents are provided with guidance through a holistic educational program. Thereof, 49 older children already completed their professional trainings (computer, tailors, plumber, ecc.). The project partners also establish contacts to companies in order to adapt the content of the trainings to the requirements of potential employers.
Regular health checks for the well-being of the children
Besides the educational program the children are also provided with medical care. All 123 children were provided with a thorough health check. In this way, serious cases of illness were discovered and the respective support was given. A doctor, who works at the day care centre, checks the children’s health on a regular basis. In addition, the children are trained about hygienic standards one hour per week in respective workshops.
Physical and mental health go hand in hand - for this reason, the children are psychologically supervised in collaboration with their families. Meetings with their parents take place on a monthly basis but in case of difficult family situations meetings are also held in between regular appointments. Psychological support takes place twice a week, with the psychologist talking to each child alone. Clothing and food are distributed to families faced with extreme financial needs.
Dance, Theatre, Cinema and much more
Besides the educational and health program the project partner in Tirana also intensified the leisure program of the children. Together they engage in sportive and cultural activities. They dance, visit the theatre, watch movies, and so forth. In October 2012 an excursion to Durres, located on the Albanian coast, took place whereas in November, the children visited the town Butrint.
On the occasion of Albania’s 100th anniversary the project partner designed a huge map of their home country together with the children to familiarize them with the towns, the country’s history and the various ethnic groups.
In January the patron saint of the street children, the saint Don Bosco, was in the centre of all social activities. A drawing competition took place on that occasion. More activities like these are planned in order to make the children feel in good hands also in the future.
