Communities in Albania
“Malteser Community and Competence Center for socially deprived people”
DOCUMENT AUTHOR: Mr. Arben Hoxha
GOOD PRACTICE TITLE: Malteser Community and Competence Center for socially deprived people”
KIND OF PRACTICE: : Community life
PLACE: Northern region of 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: The Malteser Community and Competence Center for socially deprived people it’s a program of Malteser Albania. This program started in 2013 and is focused in supporting marginalized people, children with mental and physical problems, disabled people, and people with few opportunities.“Different by equal” is the motto that guides our work and activity with this group of people.
One of the most important points of the Community Center are the activities held with the autistic and mental disorder people:
* General assessment of the child
* Disorder assessment of autism spectrum
* Detailed assessment of the development level
* Assessment of specific needs of the child
* Psychological and physical treatment
* Logopedic treatment All above sessions are realised by specialised therapists.
They have set weekly calendar for all treatments, individual and group therapy and other activities. A special place is given to the meeting with the parents, who are interested in their child's performance as well as on methods and techniques necessary for the continuity of the work. The meetings with the parents are held once in two months, to assess the progress of the child. During these meetings, thoughts on a wide field of action are exchanged, such as: the collaboration parent-teacher-therapist, the difficulties encountered in the integration of children in kindergarten and school environment, information on autism, legal ways to benefit KMCAP and many other problems, which are identified and worry their parents. The Malteser Community and Competence Center for socially deprived people is located at Malteser Albania settings in Shkoder, in a pleasant environment, adapted and adequately equipped with the most modern means and tools for work. Another setting (physiotherapy setting) is a distance of just few kilometer from Malteser Albania headquarter. Services offered are for free and beneficiaries are not from the city of Shkodra but from the Northern region of Albania
PERIOD:
2013 onwards
POPULATION, PARTICIPANTS:
The Malteser Community and Competence Center for socially deprived people, it is a program in supporting children with mental and physical problems, disabled people and people with few opportunities. The service is available to 32 children aged 3-16 years with mental and intellectual disabilities, 2 people with physical disabilities, and 22 girls (they live at Missionary center of M.Theresa in Shkodra) who are involved in program activities of Malteser Albania.
COORDINATORS:
The “Malteser Community and Competence Center for socially deprived people” is coordinated by the Albanian Organization of the Order of Malta and financially supported by different donors and members of the Order of Malta worldwide. All the services are offered for free!!!
METHODOLOGY (HOW THE PRACTICE WORKS):
All these children are treated by a Speech Therapist (logopedist), psycholog, physiotherapist which are part of the staff who assess the children, and as such gives the necessary assessments on skills, needs, and adequate methods. This is always done in close cooperation with the parents, giving space to their suggestions.
PARTICIPATORY PROCESS:
In January 2013, Malteser Albania launched the project: “Malteser Community and Competence Center for socially deprived people” “Different by equal” is the motto that guides our work and activity with this group of people. One of the most important points of the Community Center is the activity held with the autistic children, mental disorder problems. These activities, held in the Center, start with the following assessment: * General assessment of the child * Disorder assessment of autism spectrum * Detailed assessment of the development level * Assessment of specific needs of the child * Psychological and physical treatment * Logopedic treatment There are 32 children aged 3 to 16 years who are treated in the Center and almost all are of the autistic spectrum and down syndrome, 2 people with physical disabilities and 22 girls (they live at Missionary center of M.Theresa in Shkodra) who are involved in program activities of Malteser Albania. The Center operates five days a week, according to a schedule set by the therapist and psycholog.
TIME TO BE SUCCESFUL (HOW MANY TIME THE PRACTICE TAKE TO ACHIEVE THEIR OBJECTIVES):
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The purpose of the activities is that children acquire the basic elements of communication through a logopedic treatment, psycholog as one of the main social factors of integration in society.
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Leaving space to their integration in other environments, such as kindergartens and schools, the therapy is supposed to take place in the afternoons, as a special specialized support for children, parents and educators who work with these children.
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The therapy is individual. It takes place in sessions which last 45 minutes with each child. This individual therapy is time to time combined with group therapy consisting of two or three children selected according to the skills they have, developing more other interactive and communicative skills.
VALIDITY (IF THE PARTICIPANTS THINK THAT THE PRACTICE RESOLVED THE PROBLEMATIC):
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The settings of the community centre are in a pleasant environment at the disposal of the target group and entire beneficiaries’ community.
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Parents of the children, staff and volunteers organize various entertainment activities.
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Children beneficiaries of our services have the possibility to enjoy summer holidays. Malteser Albania organizes one week summer camp near seaside at Velipoja beach.
IMPACT:
The impact is visible, meetings with the parents are held once in two months, to assess the progress of the child. During these meetings, thoughts on a wide field of action are exchanged, such as: the collaboration parent-teacher-therapist, the difficulties encountered in the integration of children in kindergarten and school environment, information on autism, legal ways to benefit KMCAP and many other problems, which are identified and worry their parents. There are 34 children and teenagers who are permanently treated in our Center, and 22 girls that live at premises of the “Missionary center of Mother Theresa”.
INNOVATION:
Our funding model is innovative in providing its services, and employees as envisaged by the annual training plan acquire new experiences in workshops, seminars and study visits.
RESOURCES OR CONDITIONS NEEDED FOR THE PRACTICE:
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Financial support for onward activities
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Financial support for outdoor activities that are really costly
LIMITATIONS:
- Malteser Community and Competence day- care center project is costly and could not be funded only by Malteser Albania alone.
LEARNED LESSONS:
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Some beneficiaries acquire abilities and knowledge that enable them to be part of public school. We have 5 children that have been permanently treated by our specialised staff and now they are part of the public school.
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We learned that it is a challenge because you have to work hard also with the families, it is important creating a network among specialised staff members, parents and all other actors involved in this program.
SUSTAINABILITY:
Funds from different organisation and private donors. Malteser Community and Competence Center for socially deprived people; day-care service must be financially covered and sustain by the local government and public institutions.
REPLICABILITY:
The program should be able to be replicated anywhere in other context.
CONCLUSION:
It is urgent that public institutions support and sustain these services offered by Malteser Community and Competence Center for socially deprived people. For many years we have asked local government and other public institutions for collaboration and support.