A mother who never surrenders
A story of courage and change
*Eva’s life has been a narrative of perseverance, shaped by tests of strength and an unwillingness to surrender. Born into abandonment and violence, Eva’s childhood was far from ideal. The lack of stability and support forced her to assume responsibilities beyond her years. Child marriage brought its own difficulties, followed by divorce and the devastating departure of some of her children. These events left deep emotional scars, but they didn’t define her. Instead, at every turn, each challenge fueled Eva's determination to build a better life for herself and her family.
Eva is a mother of six children, with her seventh on the way. Her financial situation remains tight, but her maternal instinct to protect her family is at the top of her mind. She longs to give her children a life free from the hardships she faced– a childhood of safety and stability and a chance to prosper.
But everything changed when Eva’s journey took a turn after she participated in a UNICEF-supported intervention in the Municipality of Korça.
Through the program “Services of Support for Children and Families in Need,” she received the assistance and guidance that would forever change the course of her life. She attended parenting classes that provided practical information and instilled confidence in the skills needed to love and nurture children.
Psychological therapy gave her a place to work through her pain and build her emotional strength. “But it went beyond that,” she says. Recognizing the need for her own income, Eva made a major move and enrolled in a professional childcare class.
“With the help of the program, I found a job, which gave my family some financial stability,” says Eva with relief.
This stability was something new, and it gave her the ability to turn toward building what she wants for her children in the long term.
Eva’s journey is a lesson in how targeted support and resources can transform an individual or a family in crisis. This combination of psychosocial support, social protection, and economic empowerment was crucial to breaking the cycle of insecurity. The project, implemented by NISMA ARISIS under the UN Joint Program "Empowerment and Protection Across Life in Albania (LEAP)," the project shows that when the right support is provided at the right time, families not only survive but also build a new beginning.
*Name has been changed to protect the confidentiality of the beneficiary of the service.
