A family trapped in poverty and poor health receive a new lease of life in Albania

The search for a better life

Many years ago, the Mulaku family moved from a remote mountain village in Albania to the outskirts of Durrës in search of a better and safer life.

Unfortunately, Musa, now 59, couldn’t find work in Durres – and he then developed hypertension and heart arrhythmia. Shpresa, now 50, got a job at a tailoring company where she worked for 12 years, but the intensive work and harsh conditions damaged her eyesight.

When Mission Without Borders first came across the Mulaku family in 2014, the couple were raising five children in very tough conditions and very much needed our support.

Jerida cares for the plants, Albania.

“When I realised how much family sponsorship was going to help us, I began to breathe again,” Musa said.

Then in 2019, the family home was damaged by a massive earthquake in Durres – and the Covid-19 pandemic followed quickly afterwards.

Musa said, “The house got damaged in the earthquake, but again, the Mission stood by us and helped us repair the damage to our home.”

Life-changing support

Over the years, the Mulaku children received all kinds of life-changing support from the Mission.

“The children were given educational support – computer and English courses, and they were invited to summer camps, special outings, and various gatherings,” said Kostandin, the Mission staff member who regularly visited the family.

Later, when the family was withdrawn from the sponsorship programme, the Mulaku children were offered scholarships. The Mission’s scholarship programme makes it possible for young people – who couldn’t otherwise afford it – to attend college or university and gain the qualifications they need for a better future.

Now, thanks to our scholarship programme, Jonela, 25, is studying law, Jerida, 23, is doing a Masters in English, and Misiana, 18, has just started her own studies in English. Their youngest sister, Vesa, 16, is studying English and German at high school.

Shpresa with Jerida, Albania.

Bajram, the eldest, is continuing his vocational education in auto-electronics, and the youngest, eight-year-old Endri, is working hard at school, inspired by his siblings.

Bright futures ahead

Jerida is studying for Masters in English at the University of Durrës. She first became interested in English thanks to the Mission.

“The free English course offered by the Mission when we were young helped me to get a place at university,” she said. “Tourism in our country has been developing fast in recent years, and we believe that foreign languages will help us find good, secure jobs.”

Musa said, “My children can receive an education thanks to you because Shpresa and I have never had and still do not have the financial means to support our children, although more than anyone, I know how important education is.”

Kostandin said, “Four of the girls have benefitted from the Mission’s scholarship project, and they have bright futures ahead of them.

“I can see the gratitude of the parents and daughters in their eyes every time I meet them.”

Help more children access a brighter future – and donate to our scholarship programme today.