Stories

The stories of the women we have met are heartbreaking, yet their strength and resilience is truly inspiring. Sometimes it is difficult to find a silver lining, but these women are nothing but strong and hopeful!

Her story

This is Lumi's story, a mother of two from the suburbs of Tirana. Even though she's divorced and has a protective order against her abusive alcoholic ex-husband, she still has to share a room with him. She works full time during the day, takes on odd jobs in the afternoon, and still cooks for her ex, cleans after him and still endures his abuse daily. She has nowhere else to go - with her income she cannot afford a shelter for herself and her two children.

 

Vali is a mother of two from a small town of Elbasan county. She's also a survivor of domestic violence. After spending almost a decade in an abusive marriage, she mustered up the courage to press charges against her husband. They got divorced and she was granted a protective order. Her fresh start as a single mom of two teenagers is challenging to say the least - she works long hours as a cook so she can afford their shelter, and she continuously relies on community organizations and private benefactors to provide for her family. Vali cannot afford gifts for her children, and their holiday celebrations will be modest. Nonetheless they are thankful they can spend the holiday season together in serenity, and they are always hopeful for the future holds!

 

We met Klodi in one of the city buses in the suburbs of Tirana. She's a single mom of a 13-year-old boy. Klodi works long hours in a factory, and other odd jobs to make ends meet, but recently she found out she needed surgery. She borrowed money from her relatives and used all her savings to pay the doctor. She'll be out of work for a few weeks, and she'll start the new year with large amounts of debts. Klodi felt like she had very little to celebrate this year. When we called Klodi to give her the gift bag, she was touched and thankful. She took our gesture as a sign that good things come even when you least expect it - for that she was hopeful!

 

More stories coming soon!