From challenges to opportunities
The story of Ester from Kruja.
- English
- Shqip
Ester is an 8-year-old girl from the city of Kruja, who attends the 2nd grade at her local school. Some time ago, the school staff noticed some changes in her behavior, for which they informed the girl’s mother. The worried mother turned to the Kruja Community Center to find the right support for Ester.
The meeting with the center’s staff was the first step in providing support for her daughter. With the help of professionals and the family doctor, the entire referral mechanism and the Bio-Psycho-Social Commission were set in motion – all these steps to ensure that Ester had access to all the services and supports she needed.
At the Community Center, Ester began to attend therapy with a speech therapist, learning to express herself more freely and communicate more clearly day by day. Further assessment by experts engaged in the project “Specialized services for children with disabilities and social care services for children at risk” funded by the #EU4SocialCare program, paved the way for developmental therapy, which she now follows with dedication and attention, near her residence in Fushë-Krujë. This project has enabled Ester and many other children to benefit from the mobile service, a novelty in this municipality. Every day, with the help of therapists, she takes small but secure steps towards improvement.
Beyond the hard work with Ester, the experts have ensured that her family is not left behind on this journey. Inclusion in the economic assistance scheme helped the parents to cope with financial difficulties more easily - giving them more peace, security and hope for their daughter’s future.
Ester’s story is proof that when institutions, social services and partner organizations work together, they can make big changes in a child’s life. It is a strong reminder that early intervention, specialized therapies and the love of a supportive family are the keys to a better future for children with special needs.
The “Specialized services for children with disabilities and social care services for children at risk” project is implemented by VIZION NGO and the Municipality of Krujë, through the sub-grant of the “EU for Social Care” program, funded by the European Union in Albania.
#EU4SocialCare is implemented by UNICEF Albania and World Vision Albania, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
