The Pocketful O’ Joy Initiative raises funds and distributes holiday gifts in the form of care packages to vulnerable women in Albania. Each care package is thoughtfully assembled to show support and appreciation to women struggling with homelessness, violence and abuse, and difficult living circumstances.

Many women in Albania will not be able to celebrate the holiday season, will not be receiving any gifts, or will not have an opportunity to take time for themselves. Indeed, almost 1 in 2 women does not participate in the labour market, 1 in 6 women lives in poverty, and 2 in 3 women are vulnerable to violence and abuse. Women in Albania are vulnerable and often undervalued, hence they may feel lonely and forgotten. The holiday season can be particularly distressing for women, especially single mothers, homeless women, and survivor women of abuse or violence. Together we can bring a Pocketful o’ Joy to women in Albania, and change how they experience this holiday season. 

The Pocketful O’ Joy Initiative was founded in 2017 by Florida Doci, a doctoral candidate at the University of Ottawa. Florida is a native Albanian, and has spent the last three years doing women’s health research in Albania, Canada, and United States. She has collaborated with numerous agencies in Albania to advocate and advance women’s rights and health. In 2017, in collaboration with the Albanian National Centre of Support for Victims of Domestic Violence, the Human Rights in Democracy Centre, and Albania Community Assist, we brought Pocketful O’ Joy to 45 women in Albania.

To read some of their inspiring stories of adversity, heartbreak, resilience and hope, head over to Stories.