Liri reads.
Ben helps.
Elira beams.

A year with the
afternoon school

Empathy

Liri reads. Ben helps. Elira beams.

A year with the afternoon school
of Kisha Mozaik
in Albania

An intensive school year has come to an end – with 155 afternoons full of life, learning and love. Over 25 children were with us regularly. They wrote, calculated, played, argued, hugged and dreamed – and we were allowed to accompany them.

There is a story behind every child. A challenge. A hope. And we have seen: When a person experiences love, everything can change. Here we want to tell you about three stories.

* Of course, we changed the names and alienated the images with AI.

Liri beams

Liri – From retreat to trust

Liri is one of the girls who has been coming to our church since her early childhood. But as she got older, her behavior changed dramatically. When she came to the after-school program this year, she didn’t talk to anyone and treated the teachers badly. She never asked for help and was very dismissive and cold towards everyone.

We all began to consciously get closer to her. And slowly Liri began to feel the love we have for her. Little by little, she began to change – today she hugs us when she comes, asks for help with her homework and her whole behavior has changed.

Elira reads

Elira – Her first letters were a celebration

When Elira first came to afternoon school, she could neither read nor write. It was very difficult to do homework with her. However, her class teacher expected her to write complete words and just drew a big red question mark in her exercise book: Where is your homework?

So we started with the alphabet. And Elira was overjoyed – every day she learned a few more letters, then syllables, step by step. We worked intensively with her and she was full of joy and pride when she finally started to read and write properly.

Ben helps

Ben – When anger turns into warmth

When Ben first came to us, he didn’t want to do his homework. Every day when he arrived, he threw his satchel on the table, sat down angrily and caused a lot of noise and disturbance. It was very difficult to teach the other children and it took a lot of strength for us to deal with him. It was the same every day.

But we all tried to stay close to him and show him lots of love – because Ben is very close to our hearts. After a long time, just like the others, Ben also began to change. Today, he comes to our childcare happily, greets us with a hug and gets down to his homework full of joy and motivation.

We are so grateful – because the two girls and the boy have changed so much. This fills us with deep joy. Working with these children is not easy, but the love that God gives us has taught us to love them with all our hearts and to be there for them – without getting tired.

A year full of small victories

We spent 155 days learning, living and loving. Together with over 25 children. We practiced reading and writing with them, explained math, mediated conflicts, shared meals and dried tears.

We have seen how children who used to sit quietly on the sidelines are now learning in the front row. How they make friends, take on responsibility and develop with pride.

But as wonderful as this development is, it wasn’t always easy. On several occasions, we didn’t know how we were going to finance lunch for everyone. But we never stopped trusting. And God has always shown us ways.

A new start – please help us to make it possible

A new school year begins in September. Once again, children come to us, many without satchels, without books – and sometimes without breakfast.

We would therefore like to buy school supplies for each child again. And again offer a warm lunch every day. And for this we need you!

This is how you can help.

Change begins with you

We thank you – for every prayer, every encouragement, every donation, every kind word. Without you, there would be no Elira who can read. No Ben, who shines. No Liri who hugs.

Our work continues. We will be starting again in September. And we cordially invite you to join us in planting hope – every single afternoon.