Changing lives through prayers and care

“World Vision has helped us so much, we have received some 60 olive seedlings, we have drinking water in our house, and our children have a better life,” added Ruzhdi.

Ruzhdi Aliraj, his wife Albana and their two children Marinela, 17 and Ahmet, 15 live in Tre Vllazer village located an hour away from Vlora town in southern Albania. The Aliraj family lives on Ruzhdi’s monthly disability pension, which amounts to just US$50. Diabetes, high blood pressure and heart problems are but a few of the health problems that have prevented Ruzhdi from working.

If it hadn’t been for his sponsor and sponsorship, Ahmet would have never been able to go to school Caught in the poverty cycle the family has been obligated more than once to make hard choices. Inability to afford school supplies, clothes, and transportation prevented Marinela from going to high school; the same would have been true for her brother if it were not for World Vision child sponsorship.

“Round trip transportation to school costs about US$3 so it was impossible for us to afford it,” said Ruzhdi.

“If it hadn’t been for his sponsor and sponsorship, Ahmet would have never been able to go to school,” he added. “He would have stayed home like his sister.”

Ahmet’s sponsor has made it possible for Ahmet to go to a vocational school by helping the family pay for transportation costs and school supplies as well as clothing for Ahmet, through gift notifications.

“If I had not gone to school I would be a shepherd now,” said Ahmet who is studying to be a plumber.

If I had not gone to school I would be a shepherd now Ahmet has been part of World Vision’s sponsorship program since he was a fourth grader. So strong is their bond with Ahmet’s sponsor that the Aliraj family thinks of the sponsor as part of the family and every letter that comes to Ahmet is shared among the family members.

“My son’s sponsor has given us so much - financial support, moral support and prayers. They are not only friends, we consider them closer than family,” said Ruzhdi referring to the sponsor and his family.

“As New Years was approaching we had literally no food at home,” recalled Albana, Ahmet’s mother. “But Ahmet’s sponsor blessed us so much and we were able to have more than enough,” she added.

“What touches me more about the letters my brother gets from his sponsor is that their family prays for ours,” said Marinela. “When my father was sick the sponsor’s family was praying for my dad.”

“It is so reassuring that someone half way across the world cares for us so much as to want to pray for us,” continued Marinela.

Ahmet’s education has brought much optimism to the Aliraj family.

“I know I will have opportunities to find a job and help my family after I finish school,” said Ahmet.

When my father was sick the sponsor’s family was praying for my dad Marinela rejoices at her brother’s opportunity and thanks to World Vision’s help through gift catalogues, Marinela too, was able to enrol in a vocational training course. For three months, she has been attending sewing classes. She is thrilled at the opportunity and sees this course as a great way to launch her into gainful employment.

“I was but a simple village girl who stayed at home doing nothing. It was a terrible feeling to see the time pass me by and not be able to change anything,” said Marinela.

“But now things are so different, my life is no longer monotonous and I feel that I am doing something with my life,” she continued. “I want to be a clothes designer.”

“World Vision gave us a sewing machine so I am able to work at home. I have started to sew a few things,” said Marinela.

The course is not only helping Marinela accomplish her goals but has also helped her socially as well.

“Before I only had one friend, who like me didn’t go to school. Here at the course I have been able to make many other friends,” said Marinela.

“I have learned so many things not only about my new profession but also about myself, I see that my world has expanded; this course has immensely helped my self-esteem, I feel that I am good for something,” she continued.

Marinela’s hope to attend school has only increased since attending the vocational course.

“I feel so hopeful, because once I master my new trade I might be able to save some money from the income I will be getting and go to school,” said Marinela.

“There is hope for things to get better,” said the Alirajs. “We are very thankful!”

World Vision has been working in Albania for more than nine years, working alongside the poorest communities, and helping them improve the quality of life, especially of those families affected by poverty and injustice. In Vlora Area Development Programme (ADP) World Vision serves some 2,000 children and their families through child sponsorship.

Bardha Prendi has contributed to this story