Our co-workers in the social-medical teams (SMI), in Buçimas Nikoleta, Anjeza, Anila, Ekzona and Suela, put their hearts and souls into their work. The daily work with the needy and the children with disabilities demands much from them. Whether it’s arduous journeys to the village, home visits to those in need of care or therapy sessions and camps for children with special needs - the tasks seem never-ending.
Nikoleta explains: “The SMI program puts our deepest human emotions to the test. You need a “strong stomach”, constant daily motivation and joy in the things you do. It is not easy to see children and parents struggling daily with health problems, poor and complicated socio-economic conditions, broken relationships and significant challenges that are hard to explain even for us.“
Every experience of success is an incentive and encouragement to keep going. This summer, such highlights were, for example, the summer camps, a complete success and milestone for many of the children with disabilities. Or the distribution of children’s bicycles to happy little patients. The next day, we received incredulous, shy phone calls: “Surely that‘s not true ....We can keep the bike, it’s our daughter’s? Forever? How wonderful!” Reactions like that give our team encouragement and the necessary drive and joy to master future challenges - and those challenges are sure to come!
Anila gives donated bicycles and helmets to children with special needs.
Anjeza plays with the children at summer camp.