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Community Support

Vital assistance for very poor families and senior citizens

Albania is a nation struggling with the consequences of decades of isolation and mis-rule. Outside of the capital city Tirana, social services are almost non-existent. Elderly people with no family or friends to support them in hard times and families with no income very quickly become desperate. A2B stands in the gap.

Taking care of the poorest families: Family Link

A2B intervenes when local families are in desperate need. Often, but not always, these are single mothers, either widows or survivors of abuse and struggling to look after their families.

Marjeta was mistreated and abandoned by her husband. She was left to look after four children with no income or savings. She made some money collecting and selling scrap metal but it was not even enough to feed the family. Buying food on credit, Marjeta became heavily indebted. She became so desperate that she considered taking her own life. At her lowest ebb, A2B were able to help Marjeta and her children with food and essential items, and are committed to helping the family back onto their feet with a long-term plan.

Families are supported through a sponsorship programme in the UK and Albania.

It costs £75 to cover the cost of monthly essentials for a mother with three children – but regular monthly support is welcome at any level!

If you would like to help a family in desperate need, you can set up monthly donations online here (online donations are managed by our UK partner, House of Opportunity),
or get in touch at a2b@houseofopportunity.org.

You can read the latest stories from our Family Link programme here.

If you would like to receive our regular e-newsletter, you can sign up here.

Looking after lonely seniors:
Bread of Life Day Centre

The Buka e Jetes (Bread of Life) day centre feeds more than 80 elderly people daily. For many this will be their only decent meal that day. It is also a place for socialising with friends, celebrating birthdays and community events, and receiving practical support or a listening ear from a mix of staff, volunteers, pastors and other visitors. The centre also helps with the monitoring of health problems and can provide financial support when medicines are needed.

Foodbank & Rural Winter Feeding

A2B runs a foodbank programme involving local organisations. Together they help struggling families and elderly folk with no relatives to support them through short term crises.

In the winter months, the A2B team use 4x4s to take food out to isolated communities that are only served by unpaved roads.