Communities in Albania
“Multidisciplinary centre for people in need in general and for Roma and Egyptian people in particular”
DOCUMENT AUTHOR: Mrs. Erleta Pjetri (project coordinator)
GOOD PRACTICE TITLE: “Multidisciplinary centre for people in need in general and for Roma and Egyptian people in particular”
KIND OF PRACTICE: Community life
PLACE: Leche, Albania
CONTEXT, FIELD OF INTERVENTION:
‘’Albanian Organisation of the Order of Malta’’ cares for people in need, for the poor, sick, disabled and other marginalized groups by offering sustainable help, providing effective aid with a real impact. To fulfil this mission, ‘’Albanian Organisation of the Order of Malta’’ renders various medical and social services with high competence and professionalism. Voluntary work and active youth work operations underline the convincing principles of their engagement. Being works of the Order of Malta and following its 900-year tradition. ‘’Albanian Organisation of the Order of Malta’’ is committed to the main Christian principle “exemplifying the faith and serving the poor and suffering”. In total over 200 volunteers and staff members and specialist resources guarantee qualified service provision in the following main sectors of activity in Albania. Medical services and health – education trainings.
Assistance for people with disabilities.
Assistance for elderly people and for people in need Summer School Camps for disadvantaged children.
Social medical services for Roma and Egyptian communities.
Roma and Gypsie communities are located at the entrance of the city of Lezha, in the neighbourhood called ‘’Skenderbeg’’.
Roma and Gypsie communities live in a very difficult situation, due to a series of factors, notably the poverty level, unemployment, discrimination, which have caused exclusion and segregation. The most visible negative effect of this situation is that women and children are begging on the streets.
Malteser Albania in close collaboration with Lezha Municipality, in the northeast of Albania, has set up a multidisciplinary center for these communities and others in need. The centre comprises a building, a football field and a playground for children and offers: day care for preschool children and after school program for pupils who need assistance, as well as a sports centre. Psychological and legal consultancy is also offered for entire communities.
PERIOD:
2017 onwards
POPULATION, PARTICIPANTS:
The numbers of those who take part on daily basis are 36 children and teens from Roma and nonRoma families.
Two teachers, one social worker and a psycholog were engaged, with the coordination of the director. The multidisciplinary center is opened from 7:0 a.m – 17.00 p.m
COORDINATORS:
The coordinator of this program is “Albanian Organization of the Order of Malta” in close cooperation with the Municipality of Letha.
METHODOLOGY (HOW THE PRACTICE WORKS):
Project implementation included several steps that involved all stakeholders and beneficiaries.
This program provides day care for preschool children and after school program for pupils who need assistance, in addition the teachers and the social workers help the children to carry out the homework in different school subjects.
Assisting in the economic revitalization, especially girls and women through vocational trainings, compiling papers, addressing, advising etc etc
PARTICIPATORY PROCESS:
Key activities included:
a) day care for preschool children
b) after school program for pupils who need assistance, as well as a sports activities. c) Psychological and legal consultancy is also offered for entire communities.
d) Weekly meetings with the community.
The project is running since one year ago and has involved 36 children, aged between 5 and 12 years, and youngsters. The day-care centre is opened Monday to Friday, from 7.30 a.m.-17.00 p.m.
TIME TO BE SUCCESFUL (HOW MANY TIME THE PRACTICE TAKE TO ACHIEVE THEIR OBJECTIVES):
The day-care centre services ensures adequate support for marginalised communities and is located in a very nice settings equipped with the most modern furnisher for the beneficiaries. The first year of the project was quite good but it needs time to improve some obstacles.
VALIDITY (IF THE PARTICIPANTS THINK THAT THE PRACTICE RESOLVED THE PROBLEMATIC):
This program affects directly the life of these children involving them in the social life and it promotes and develops these children.
Empower families that have problems, helps parents that work long hours.
In this way we tend to alleviate the problems these children face and promote their capacity unless the difficulties they have.
IMPACT:
The community recognized the services and its quality. Community itself has been part of the designed program. The impact of the day- care service is visible in improving the social life of the communities.
INNOVATION:
1. Securing productive education for each child.
2. Commitment and development of the Community, especially girls and womens.
3. Active involvement of all actors/stakeholders involved in this program
4. The multidisciplinary centre also has a permanent setting of volunteers engaged in structured activities and professional associates, depending on the need.
RESOURCES OR CONDITIONS NEEDED FOR THE PRACTICE:
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1. Ensuring continuity (ongoing program).
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2. Treatment must be available, accessible, attractive, and appropriate for needs.
LIMITATIONS:
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Main limitation is lack of financial resources.
LEARNED LESSONS:
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It is crucial involvement of all family members.
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The support of the women and girls effect in strengthening families.
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Through non-formal activities and in a friendly environment, children can improve their skills in different school subjects.
SUSTAINABILITY:
Positive results achieved during the first year of the project, good collaboration with Lezha municipality and other public institutions.
Good collaboration with Roma NGO and communities.
REPLICABILITY:
This good practice can be easily replicated to other communities or regions in the same country or abroad.
CONCLUSION:
The project is running since one year ago and has involved 36 children.
Through this program and the intermediation of Malteser Albania three women have been employed.
CONTACT (PRACTICES AUTHOR AND ORGANIZATION):
Malteser Albania Rr. Ludovik Saraci
Shkoder 4001, Albania
Tel. 355692080207
E-mail: info@malteser.al