Eliando, 12 years old, is the son of a poor family that often went out on the streets to beg. To help his family, he used to sell tissues and was at risk of dropping out of school. Today, thanks to the center, he is one of the most regular and active children. “I want to learn and have a life different from my parents,” he says. The center has given him a reason to continue school and to believe in a better future.

In 2022, ADRA Albania opened a Community Center in the city of Elbasan, by reconstructing part of the premises of Kindergarten No. 14, thanks to the support of GIZ. Since then, this center has become a place of hope for children and mothers from poor families, mainly from the outskirts of the city.

At the center, children don’t come only to do their homework, but also to play, develop new skills, and find the peace that they often lack at home. “They are not only helped with their studies, but they also share their experiences, learn from one another, and make new friends,” says the center’s psychologist, Haxhirta Sejdini.

Teacher Aida, who helps both at school and at the center, adds: “Many of our students have shown significant improvement. It would be wonderful if this experience could be repeated in other areas as well.” 

Thanks to the supplementary classes and activities, over 200 children have improved their grades and regained motivation for school. The center also organizes meetings with mothers, addressing topics such as domestic violence, the role of women in the community, and children’s education.

The Director of ADRA Albania, Altin Rexhepi, recalls the emotions he felt when the center first opened: “When we opened this center, I never imagined that in 2025 I would still meet children living in extreme poverty. We may not be able to help them financially, but we can give them something more valuable: a chance for education — a value that will stay with them for life.” .

He adds: “Running a center with daily services is very challenging financially. The key to success is consistency — if we stop, all the work of years falls apart. So far, with the help of donors like ADRA Italy, we have managed to keep the center alive. But to continue, we need ongoing support. Without it, the center is at risk of closing.”

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ADRA Italia – IBAN: IT 72 S 01030 03203 000002465824
reason for the transfer: Albania – Elbasan 
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