Helping the Helpers

“ALBANIA is a country where Muslims are in the majority, but although the Catholic Church is small here, it is strong at responding to the times in all areas. It has always promoted human development from all points of view – cultural and faith-based – and the development of the whole country,” explains Sister Tereza Ferra, project coordinator.

Shkodër is the most important region of Albania, with a population of over 336,000. It covers an area of 3,562 square kilometres. The diocese of Shkodër-Pult is also the largest in Albania, both geographically and in terms of the number of practising Catholics.

The Diocesan Charity of Shkodër-Pult has spent over three decades working to improve community well-being after the fall of the communist regime, particularly focusing on vulnerable groups and young people. A central part of its mission is supporting youth through career guidance, job training, and educational programs. By providing young people with skills and opportunities, the charity helps them build meaningful lives within Albania, reducing the pressure to seek employment abroad. This commitment to youth development aims to strengthen local communities and encourage social stability.

Beyond its work with young people, the charity is also committed to healthcare and family support throughout the region. It provides professional and compassionate assistance to individuals and families dealing with complex social and medical challenges, helping to enhance the quality of life across the community. These healthcare initiatives address both the immediate needs of patients and the broader requirements of healthcare workers.

“The Diocesan Charity of Shkodër-Pult isn’t just close to the people of the diocese, it has often also helped in other areas of the country when there have been earthquakes, and recently during the pandemic,” explains Sr. Tereza. And the help hasn’t stopped there. During the war in Kosovo in 1999, many refugees arrived in Albania, and the charity helped them, too, offering shelter, food, medicine and any other needs until they were able to return home. Similarly, with the war in Ukraine, the charity continues to help those escaping the conflict.

Transformative experience

Amid the charity’s ongoing day-to-day work, a program of spiritual and familial support was initiated with leaders from Catholic associations across the diocese. This experience proved to be transformative and meaningful for all involved. During group discussions and meetings, participants requested a formal training path to support staff working with vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled individuals, and minors in local Church-run facilities. It became evident that, although many people were taking on roles in these settings out of necessity, they often lacked the specific professional skills and intrinsic motivation essential for such delicate and challenging work. This gap was affecting the quality of care provided and the overall well-being of both the staff and those they were serving.

Recognizing the need for a structured training course, the Diocesan Charity of Shkodër-Pult sought collaboration with the University of Shkodër and other organisations, including the Albanian Association of Physiotherapists, which shares a commitment to promoting solidarity and support for those in need. Understanding that the training programme required expertise across psychological, social, and health-care fields, the charity also turned to the Department of Nursing at the University of Shkodër to support a holistic training approach and integrating human, spiritual, and professional development. This combined insight and sense of urgency inspired the charity to bring together resources, energy, and expertise to address these critical needs.

35 participants

In 2022/2023 the charity ran the first successful training courses after receiving just over €7,000 in funding support from St. Anthony’s Charities. For the period from 2023 to 2024 – a second training course – a sum of €8,900 was requested and granted.

The training programme was provided to a selected group of 35 participants and conducted in two phases to ensure effective engagement and tailored support. Each participant met with the programme coordinators to assess their skills and motivations, and determine an appropriate group placement. This allowed the programme to be adapted to individual needs and available resources while remaining inclusive of both returning participants and newcomers.

The programme included eight days of specialised training for current personnel in various Shkodër facilities, led by experienced professionals, as well as ten days of open training sessions for beginners and new participants to build foundational skills in the socio-health sector. In addition to these training days, three conferences addressed significant topics within the socio-health field, and four seminars with guided visits took participants to a range of public and private facilities in Shkodër and the surrounding area.

The training structure was designed to meet the distinct needs of the various participant groups and included shared learning experiences, such as joint seminars, guided visits, and specialised training sessions led by experts in academic and socio-health fields.

Upon completing the training, participants took a final exam that included practical and technical assessments, simulations, case analyses, and an interview. To qualify for the final exam, each participant had to attend at least 70 percent of the program activities. The successful participants earned certification as Socio-Health Operators, a credential recognized by Social Services in Shkodër.

34 certificates

“On 15 June 2024 we concluded the course with the final assembly and the delivery of certificates to 34 course participants,” says Sr. Tereza. “There was so much gratitude from everyone to the point that it was sad that the course had ended, because all the participants valued this path, the family atmosphere, the dedication of the teachers and the new knowledge acquired.”

“On behalf of Dom Gjovalin Simoni – director of the Diocesan Charity of Shkodër-Pult – and of all the participants, we sincerely thank you for having trusted us again this year through the project,” concludes Sr. Tereza. “Taking this path was important not only for those who attended, but also for me personally. After a period of suffering from ill-health, the course has become for me a reason for joy, for this I am also personally grateful to St. Anthony’s Charities and the readers of the Messenger of Saint Anthony. To all of you, our most sincere wishes for the Lord’s blessing so that it always accompanies the mission of St. Anthony’s Charities wherever it is in the world – including our Albania.”