Buçimas, Albania

Children's Learning Center for kids with special needs

In southeastern Albania, there is a severe shortage of services for children with special needs and learning difficulties, such as Down syndrome and autism. Many of them can never access early intervention services that could help them learn, grow, and interact with the world around them.  Especially for poor families, it is almost impossible to access those treatments. Nehemiah Gateway offers therapy services free of charge to about 60 little patients per year at the NG campus in Buçimas. Early and consistent access to speech, occupational, and other therapies help them reach their fullest potential.

As the demand for those therapies is high, our existing space and staff are always at or over capacity. Therefore, we want to add two additional therapy rooms and staff to our existing facilities. This will allow us to offer more hours of therapy to existing patients and take on more little patients with special needs – many of them have never received therapy before.

With therapy, the children have better chances in life - some can even improve the skills they need to go to school, gain an education, and live independently.