Communities in Albania
“Malteser Kindergarten for children who are in need”
DOCUMENT AUTHOR: Mrs. Gjystina Lekaj
GOOD PRACTICE TITLE: “Malteser Kindergarten for children who are in need”
KIND OF PRACTICE: Community life / family empowerment
PLACE: Shkoder, Albania
CONTEXT, FIELD OF INTERVENTION:
“Albanian Organization of the Order of Malta” service is part of the Order of Malta worldwide service, which operates inspired by the motto “Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum”, defense of the Faith and assistance to the poor and the suffering.
Following Order’s historic mission to help the sick, the needy and the most disadvantaged in society, ‘’Albanian Organization of the Order of Malta’’ performs different projects and activities, including medical and social assistance, disaster relief in case of natural catastrophes, emergency services and first aid corps, help for the elderly, the handicapped and children in need, assistance services for Roma and Gypsies communities. Our organisation relies on the involvement of more than 200 volunteers, who actively support the activities, projects and programs of the organization:
PERIOD:
2010 ongoing
POPULATION, PARTICIPANTS:
The primary target group are children who are in need, who are not integrated in the society. On a daily basis, our kindergarten hosts 60 children divided in three groups. Since the inception of “Malteser Kindergarten” in 2010, we have been able to serve around 600 children and families overall. It is important to emphasise that during the years we have hosted also children that have disabilities and from Roma communities.
COORDINATORS:
The “Malteser Kindergarten” is coordinated by the Albanian Organization of the Order of Malta and supported by different donors and members of the Order of Malta worldwide.
METHODOLOGY (HOW THE PRACTICE WORKS):
The applied method is based on curricula of the Albania Ministry of Education. Our programs are runned and focused to develop a sense of living together in community. Additional to the state curricula are outdoor activities and summer school camps.
PARTICIPATORY PROCESS:
In January 2010 Malteser Albania started the realization of its project of a Kindergarten for children who are in need, who are not integrated in the society, and for those whose families can’t effort private kindergartens because they are expensive and state ones do not cover the needs. This kindergarten started as a project which is being realized thanks to the financial support of Malteser Hospitaldienst Austria, and the Ambassador of the Order of Malta in Albania, Prof. Granser, for a period of three years, and the offer of the settings for free by the Municipality of Shkodra.
The kindergarten which is found at the settings of the elementary school, welcomes about 60 children divided in three groups according to their age, from 7.30-14.30 from Monday to Saturday and there are two teachers and two assistants.
During the scholastic year, the teachers follow a program and a plan which is compiled according to the year program approved by the Ministry of Education of Albania. The education program is intertwined with entertaining programs, summer camps and various excursions.
For the families of these children, this kindergarten is a great chance, taking into consideration the difficulties they would have sending their children to private kindergartens, or leave them at home.
TIME TO BE SUCCESFUL (HOW MANY TIME THE PRACTICE TAKE TO ACHIEVE THEIR OBJECTIVES):
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This project is aimed to educate and increase education level of children participants and to empower families with socio-economic difficulties.
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Active involvement of the family members, volunteers and teachers.
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Children from different backgrounds and communities make unique our Kindergarten.
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The Kindergarten for children with socio- economical difficulties services ensure adequate support for whole communities.
VALIDITY (IF THE PARTICIPANTS THINK THAT THE PRACTICE RESOLVED THE PROBLEMATIC):
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The settings of Malteser Kindergarten are opened to the community to organize cultural and entertainment activities for their socialization.
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Since our intervention the children that have been part of our Malteser Kindergarten, have shown best skills in the learning process.
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Parents of the children have the possibility to work because of the flexible kindergarten schedule.
IMPACT:
The impact is visible, every year our kindergarten crew has got positive feedback from the teachers of the primary school.
Since in 2010, more than 600 children have followed Malteser Kindergarten.
Annual trainings, workshops and study visits are foreseen for the staff members of our Kindergarten.
INNOVATION:
Our funding model is innovative in that it combines NGO funding with private donors and public institutions. Our mission inspired by the motto “Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum”, defense of the Faith and assistance to the poor and the suffering.
RESOURCES OR CONDITIONS NEEDED FOR THE PRACTICE:
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Financial support for ongoing activities
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Financial support for another staff member/teacher
LIMITATIONS:
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Employ a teaching and maintenance staff.
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The Malteser Kindergarten project is costly and could not be funded only by Malteser Albania alone.
LEARNED LESSONS:
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Through years we learned that children that have been part of our Kindergarten are the best students of the primary school.
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Through this good practice we have learned that creating a network among teachers, parents, volunteers and children lead us to successful results.
SUSTAINABILITY:
Since in 2010, we have had continuous funding. Funds from different organisation and private donors. The Malteser Albania kindergarten settings are supported by the local government. All extracurricular activities are supported and organised in cooperation with parents club.
REPLICABILITY:
The program should be able to be replicated anywhere in other context without major modification.
CONCLUSION:
More than 600 children from marginalised communities benefited from our educational services free of charge. Through this project we contribute to the wellbeing of the children and to the empowerment of their families.
CONTACT (PRACTICES AUTHOR AND ORGANIZATION):
Malteser Albania Rr. Ludovik Saraci
Shkoder 4001, Albania
Tel. 355692080207
E-mail: info@malteser.al