Pots, pans and a carpet for her new tiny home - unexpected riches for Vaide in a remote Albanian village.
What does human dignity actually mean? Is it possible to restore dignity to a person who has been deprived of it?
At NG, helping is both an act of charity and a natural expression of dealing with people based on values modelled on the example of Jesus. It involves reaching out to those who are suffering, honoring their dignity and strengthening them in the process.
For example, Alda comes from a difficult family background and has a harsh homelife. At NG she receives clothes, can take showers and enjoys taking part in social activities. Here she finds a place where she is respected and treated as a person, something she has not experienced in her family home since childhood.
Or the elderly Vaide, who lived alone in a dilapidated house in the village of Trebinje after the death of her husband. Her greatest wish was to have a wood-burning stove for cooking and keeping warm. Vaide has now been able to move into a warm and dry tiny house. Despite all the adversity, Vaide has not lost her confidence or her zest for life.
Helping is easy - as the many food parcels prepared with the help of generous donations show: Sugar, flour, pasta and more. But the blessing of help that is given often returns to the people who are helping. Students of Nehemia School are touched by the condition of the recipients of the parcels. The loving care of the helpers gives dignity to those in need. And they give back love, affection and even a little joie de vivre.
There are still many people in Albania who are barely able to cope with life on their own. Children with disabilities and special needs, senior citizens who live alone and have been abandoned by their families, impoverished people in remote villages and people from marginalized groups such as Roma, Balkan Egyptians or socially disadvantaged families are the focus of NG‘s help - more than ever during this upcoming holiday season! This is how we help:
SMI - Social and Medical Improvement
Childrens‘ Learning Center - 28 children with physical and/or mental disabilities receive targeted support and therapy: speech therapy, developmental education, group therapy and much more. These helps improve the chance of a dignified life and as much independence as possible.
Home visits - senior citizens who live alone and in poverty cannot afford medical care and are barely able to leave the house. Our SMI employees visit nine of them at home, dress wounds, provide physiotherapy and help with household chores.
More than only food - we bring aid to the poorest of the poor in 33 remote mountain villages. Four times a year, we distribute food parcels to help those in greatest need. We also provide firewood, minor renovation work, home furnishings and much more. All this brings a little light and hope into their difficult lives.
AMARO TAN - “Our place“ in the Romani language
From kindergarten through middle school - 140 at-risk children from marginalized groups or particularly needy families receive a quality school education and targeted support that enhances their gifts and talents.
Vocational training and scholarships - all graduates of Amaro Tan Secondary School are given the opportunity to attend Nehemia High School or alternative vocational schools. Four have even gone on to attend NG University and launch careers in banking or retail industries.
Soup kitchen - healthy meals are provided on a daily basis for all students at Amaro Tan. Additionally, 23 elderly, single individuals are nourished through the soup kitchen.
Support for families - we help both the students’ families and the patrons of the soup kitchen with additional needs: groceries, medicine, firewood, acting as advocates for visits to the authorities, school supplies for the children and much more.
GJIROKASTËR - a medieval town in the south of Albania
Soup kitchen - the NG Center in Gjirokastër is a safe haven for 50 vulnerable children, families and the elderly to enjoy a hot meal, good company and additional support as needed.
Homework assistance - 14 at-risk children, mostly from Roma families, are given individual support with their homework in the afternoons, plus lots of fun and games. Several of them are now among the best in their classes at their public schools.
