Reborn at twelve years old

Flamur is a 12-year-old boy from the village of Gizavesh. He has reached the seventh grade with difficulty but his teacher says that he is very smart and active. Furthermore, he is one of the most talented painters at his school, and on his classroom walls you can find very beautiful drawings made by him.

Unfortunately, unlike his peers, he cannot hear or speak, and this has prevented him from enjoying a normal life like the other children. From the conversations with his schoolteachers and parents we learned that Flamur was born with this problem, which makes his story even more painful. He could never hear his mother’s voice, the chirping of birds, or the meow of the cat...

In addition to his impairment, he and his family have also suffered from economic difficulties. Flamur’s parents are both unemployed and the economic situation in which they live is poor. Although they have a great desire to help their son it is impossible for them to afford services.

Fortunately, a light appeared in Flamur’s dark tunnel. After several specialised checkups in Tirana, doctors gave him hope. They said that he would be able to hear with the help of a listening aid - something quite expensive for his parents. But World Vision stepped in and provided financial assistance, and the first day that Flamur used the aid was like a rebirth.

Although he could not express it with words, the glow in his eyes and the smile on his face showed clearly enough the joy he felt in those moments. That day Flamur could hear for the first time his mother’s voice, the chirping of birds in nature and the meow of the cat that he had always seen at home.

 "I do not know how to thank you. Along with Flamur, I am re-born today, too," said Flamur's mother, smiling and with tears in her eyes at seeing her son's happiness. Ali Buzra, the principal of Flamur's school, says, "It is our responsibility now to take care of Flamur and teach him all he could not learn for all these past years in our school."

Story was provided by World Vision's LIbrazhd area staff