Learning disabilities project:
Fier, Albania
People with learning difficulties are one of the most neglected and needy groups in Albania. Often stigmatized in society, hidden away due to a culture of shame, neglected by local and central government and set aside by an education system which cannot deal with them, they have lived on the margins. The “Way of Peace,” church in Fier has been working with people with learning difficulties over the last year with three main objectives in mind. First and foremost is our desire that these wonderful people come to know Christ. This is paramount and stands behind all that we do. Second is a desire to meet their practical and emotional needs. In addition we desire to show “kingdom values” to society at large by caring for the needy, loving the unloved and equipping people to take a greater part in everyday life. We desire to support their families and be a witness to them.
Banner making at the Way of Hope meeting
Last year we launched a project which would help this needy group and the results have already begun to show. We have been working with a school for the learning disabled in Fier over the last year and a half. The facilities in this school are very poor: there is a problem with damp and there is severe overcrowding in the two classrooms. The corridor they have is not sufficient to organise any activity and there is no playground or yard of any kind. Most of the young people coming to the center are very poor and sometimes have nothing to eat for the greater part of the day. Not only that but they have only one set of clothes and have to come often long distances to be able to get to school. This poses real problems both for them and their parents because often they have physical disabilities as well as learning ones.
One of the teachers and students at the school
Each fortnight the “Way of Peace” church in Fier organises “Rruga e Shpreses” or the “Way of Hope” meeting. We combine aerobics with crafts, games, songs and other activities as well as a Bible story. However our desire is to help this school and its students much more. From the gifts already donated we have been able to give 28 families a Christmas parcel full of food and also will be able to hire a van for the rest of the academic year to transport those who come from outlying areas. This already is a considerable help to these families and the staff is extremely grateful. Our ongoing needs are:
Unloading boxes at the school
- A van to transport young people to and from their homes:the school caters for people in a very wide catchment area. Many have physical problems or have elderly relatives who cannot ensure that they can get to the center safely. Approximate cost: £160 a month.
- Training for workers and volunteers: there is great need for training in how to diagnose learning disabilities, in physiotherapy and in how to teach educational, social and life skills. We need training also as to how to work with families of learning disabled people. We also desire to co operate with our sister church in Lushnjë which has a long standing work amongst learning disabled people. Their weekly meeting has been immensely popular amongst parents in particular and has seen not only new people coming into the church but one even being baptized. We would like to share these training opportunities with the Lushnjë church and any other local groups who would benefit from them.
- Clothing: we have noted that a number of the people who come to these centers have only one change of clothes winter, spring or summer. We would like to purchase second hand clothes in Fier according to the sizes and needs of the people concerned. We would also like when appropriate to help members of their families. Approximate cost: £600
- Lunches: many learning disabled folk come from deprived families and do not have a square meal a day. The centers have been able to offer little in the way of food and that from the staff themselves. Approximate cost: £625 a month
Geoff Townsend helping with craft activities
Can you help in supplying some of the material needs of learning disabled people? Gifts can be sent to the Illyrian Gospel Trust and will be sent on to be administered by the Fier church according to the needs of each center. No money will be given directly to the center so that funds will not be abused nor be taken in administration costs. More details about how you can give can be obtained from the secretary of the trust at igtsec@googlemail.com or the treasurer Ashley Croft at a.croft@lineone.net
Can you help in training staff and church volunteers? Has your church been involved in outreach to learning disabled folk? Can you offer us expertise and experience in these areas? Please contact Will Niven at wdniven@hotmail.co.uk
