Courage and resilience for a better future

Arta* is a 13-year-old girl, who with a lot of courage and resilience is building a better future for herself, despite the many challenges that have accompanied her since early childhood. The latter has not been easy for her at all, facing abandonment by her parents; at brittle age of 2, she was left without support and has had no contact with her father ever since, while her mother, who occasionally contacts her, does not have an active role in her daily life.

Today, Arta lives with her grandmother, who, with boundless dedication and love, has managed to create a safe and stable environment for her, facing many challenges herself and doing everything to ensure her granddaughter's well-being, while striving to lead a normal life and support her personal and emotional development.

When Arta was referred to the "SocialServices4All" project, it became clear that she was facing developmental challenges, as at the time of referral she could not hear or speak, which significantly limited her and made her feel isolated from the world around her. This condition prevented Arta from interacting with her peers.

The "SocialServices4All" project, financially supported by the European Union through #EU4SocialCare, implemented by the Joscelyn Foundation and the Municipality of Librazhd, immediately took concrete steps to provide Arta with the necessary care and create a clear path towards her development, welcoming her with warmth and dedication in the project office and connecting her to the right resources for medical treatment and development support.

Through the project network, Arta had access to specialized care, starting from basic medical examinations to a necessary radiogram in Elbasan, and then to more advanced examinations in the capital of Tirana with specialists who gave a detailed diagnosis. The latter guided the project team on the next steps to address and support its development.

In addition to medical treatment, Arta underwent a comprehensive psychological assessment, which helped professionals understand her emotional, mental and social needs better, thus creating a personalized plan for her care and support, in order to achieve her full and sustainable development.

Today, thanks to the dedicated efforts of all partners, Arta is benefiting from specialized medical care, regular visits to specialists, and ongoing support, while financial assistance to support her disability has eased the burden on her grandmother and ensured that Arta's basic needs are met. The support provided has enabled Arta to focus on her personal development, the new skills she is acquiring, and building a brighter and safer future.

Arta's story is a testament to the power of sustained support, community collaboration, and coordinated social services.

The "Social Services for All" project remains a beacon of hope for children and families, empowering them to overcome obstacles, providing concrete support, and helping to create a more inclusive and supportive society for all.

*The person's name has been changed to protect his identity.