Daniela, 37, and her husband Armado,
41, grew up in poverty in southwestern Albania. When faced with unemployment
and increasing poverty while raising two children, they courageously decided to
relocate in pursuit of a brighter future.
Much to their dismay, upon settling
in Fllaka, a rural area outside of Durres, their challenges persisted. Job
opportunities remained scarce, leaving them fraught with worry about securing
essential provisions like food and warm clothing for their children. Looking
back, Daniela remembers finding it challenging to smile as she was filled with
anger and sadness feeling trapped in a seemingly never-ending cycle of
hardship.
Their eldest son, Engjell, 15, said,
“I don't recall much from my younger years, but the image of my mother in tears
and scolding me when I made mistakes is a frequent memory.”
Armado, 41, said, “As the head of my
family, navigating through the challenges of unemployment and meeting our
family's needs was a hard task that left me feeling disheartened. Daily
arguments and disagreements became the norm, and the idea of being at home was
not something I relished.”
Everything began to change for the
family when Mission Without Borders, who work in Fllaka to support families
living in poverty, were made aware about the family’s struggles.
“It was a sister in Christ who told
me about a woman in her neighbourhood who was really struggling and asked me if
the Mission and I could help her,” said Arjana, MWB’s family coordinator in
Fllaka.
The family began receiving regular
visits from Arjana. She spent time with the family, brought them regular food
and hygiene items and other necessities, and provided much-needed counselling
and emotional support. Arjana said, “As
we gradually invited Daniela to come along to Bible studies and church
gatherings, something profound started shifting within her heart and mind. At
one meeting, Daniela found herself moved to tears and willingly accepted Jesus
as her Lord and Saviour.”
Daniela said, “Before I became a
Christian, I found difficult to summon a smile or experience any sense of
well-being. But when I met Jesus through the Mission, things started to change
day by day and I found myself smiling more and more. I got baptised and Jesus
has become the cornerstone of my life and perspective. Ever since I welcomed
Jesus into my heart, I've consistently reminded myself, 'I will have faith, and
I will not be afraid.”
Engjell described how his mother’s
tears gave to a much happier atmosphere at home. He said, “The Mission’s
support – the monthly boxes of food and those with food and gifts for
Christmas, the school supplies, and the youth meetings all bring me immense happiness.
As I grow older, I even try to help out my father at work."
Arjana said, “The love,
encouragement, and support we gave Daniela and Armado became a beacon of
strength and hope. From a woman engulfed in despair, feeling powerless to alter
her circumstances, Daniela suddenly found herself empowered with a renewed sense
of hope for the future. The Mission’s support helped her to believe that
positive change was possible for her family.”
Looking ahead, the family is
optimistic about their future. Arjana said, “We hope to provide the family with
a self-sufficiency project next year, to provide them with barber tools, as a
step toward fulfilling Armado's wish of working as a barber.” Daniela says, “I
am truly thankful for the impact on our family's life, for every change made in
every aspect of our lives.”
Sponsor a family today