Bethany Social Services: Albania/Kosovo Report ... - Milika Dhamo

Bethany
Social Services
Albania/Kosovo Report
2002-2004

Bethany Social Services Albania (BSSA) and Bethany Social Services Kosovo
(BSSK) have been providing social, psychological, and medical services to
children, women, and families for more than a decade. In an effort to improve
social service delivery and child advocacy at a national level, BSSA and BSSK
have implemented a number of education programs at various levels for both
governmental and non-governmental entities.
In spite of the hurdles and difficulties inherent to meeting the needs of children
and families, BSSA and BSSK maintain a clear vision of our ministry
to the people of Albania and Kosovo. Our desire is to continually raise the
standard of care for the marginalized people within our communities and to
seek God’s wisdom as we work to manifest the fruit of the spirit within our
programs.
Dr. Agim Xhumari
National Director

Bethany Albania
After the fall of communism
in 1990, Bethany
Christian Services
International partnered with
the Albanian government
to care for children living
in the Tirana orphanage. In
1994, Bethany, together with
churches and supporters,
constructed two “Transitional
Group Homes” designed to
care for children waiting for
their “forever families.” Today,
the Transitional Group Homes
provide shelter and care for 50
children between the ages of
birth and four years old.
Transitional Group Homes
Bethany Social Services Albania (BSSA) staff and volunteers work
with government staff to provide the children with quality care. Caregivers
and volunteers strive to facilitate cognitive and social development
of the children through play, craft projects, recitation, etc.
To complement such activities, the Transitional Group Homes have
been thoughtfully decorated and supplied to make them both comfortable
and cognitively stimulating. There are murals on the walls
of Rozafa House, and the Homes also contain children’s books in
Albanian and many developmental toys. One volunteer group built
a castle-themed video entertainment center. In 2003, a child-sized
kitchen/living room, complete with food, Albanian cradles, dolls, and
dress-up hats was completed.
International
Adoptions - 21
Currently in
Homes - 47
Albanian
Adoptions - 28
David Harmon decorating the Christmas
tree with Kristina
Returned to
Birth Home - 13
Moved to Other
Institutions - 23

Bethany Albania
Training
Education is a key ingredient in providing individuals with the tools
to care for, and advocate on behalf of, the children. Training sessions
include (but are not limited to):
Playtime is always fun.
• Child Development
• Infant-Child Chain of Survival - a seminar on dealing with
change and avoiding dangerous situations. It culminated in a
CPR workshop.
• Proper hand-washing techniques
• Children born with drug addictions
• Physical therapy
• Managing the threat of SARS
Sponsorship
The Sponsorship Program was created to offer a way for individuals
within the U.S. to become involved in the direct care of children
living in the Transitional Children’s Group Homes. Sponsorship
provides for the daily needs of the children and also enables BSSA to
advocate on behalf of the children within the judicial system.
Melba and Kristina

Bethany Albania
Adoption
BSSA recognizes that children grow best in families. Permanency planning
programs strive to place every child in a permanent family, either
through reunification with their biological families, foster care, or
domestic/international adoption. BSSA is committed to advocating on
behalf of every child who is brought to our attention.
If reunification with the biological family or foster care are not options
for a child, BSSA works with the Albanian government to advocate
for domestic or international adoption. An abandoned Albanian child
becomes available first to Albanian families, but for children who are
not adopted in their native country, international adoption may be their
only option. Bethany is one of eight adoption agencies allowed to work
in Albania.
Many do not believe that anyone will want to adopt older children or
those with special needs. These children run the risk of never becoming
“adoptable” because their paperwork has not been processed. BSSA
advocates for these children by discussing successful older child and
special needs adoptions with key people at various levels in the adoption
process.
Dr. Agim Xhumari (far left) with adoptive families
from the U.S. (Pypers, Bradfords, Marshes)
International Adoptions (Out of 21)
Healthy
Special Needs
10 11
Young Older (age 3+)
11 10

Alabashi Clinic in Korce, Albania
Bethany’s Alabashi Clinic
provides medical, emotional,
educational, and
spiritual assistance to the citizens
of Korce. The staff of Alabashi
Clinic are Orthodox Christians
who are staunchly pro-life. Thus,
the Clinic also focuses on spiritual
health, which many clinics lack.
To promote financial self-sufficiency,
the Clinic has begun to
charge clients for medical and
psychological services, and medicine.
Social services and pregnancy
classes are still free. The goal is to
reduce dependence on external
funding, increasing self-sufficiency
and financial independence.
Alabashi Clinic
Clients seeking assistance at the Alabashi clinic.

Tirana Clinic in Albania
Bethany’s Tirana Clinic
provides medical,
social, and psychological
services to families
and children. With quality
staff, BSSA provides affordable,
quality medical care and
a variety of social services.
From 2002 – 2004, Bethany’s
Tirana Clinic has provided:
Bethany Social Services Tirana Clinic
• 4,402 clients with a variety of
medical services such as
obstetrics, pediatrics,
cardiology, ultrasound, and
laboratory tests.
• 728 clients with psychological
support.
• Prenatal/family/individual/postabortion
counseling for 5,652.
• Education for 8,196 participants.

Tirana Clinic in Albania
The Shepherding Home Program
Shepherding Home mother and child
Imagine being pregnant and alone, rejected by your family, with
no place to live, no job, and no hope of raising your child in a safe
environment. These women and their children are primary targets of
human trafficking, a danger that is sweeping through Albania at an
alarming rate. BSSA’s Shepherding Home program is designed to provide
shelter, protection, and counseling to women by placing them
with local families through the duration of their pregnancies. BSSA
subsidizes the family’s income to ensure that the woman is provided
with food, clothing, and medical care. While she is in the
Shepherding Home, BSSA social workers coordinate with the client,
the government, and other organizations to arrange suitable living
and employment once the child is born. The Shepherding program
preserves the life of the child and helps ensure a positive future for
both the mother and her child.
Maternity Hospital Staff
In response to the staggering level of abortions occuring in Albania
(estimated at 50% of reported pregnancies), BSSA social workers in
Tirana’s maternity hospitals counsel women against abortion, provide
facts and information, and present women with life-giving options for
their children. Post-abortion counseling is also provided for women
struggling with their loss.

Tirana Clinic in Albania
Domestic Violence
In 2002, BSSA partnered with CORD/ZOA to try to improve the
plight of abused women living in Gramsh, Albania. In this city, family
members often forbid abused women from seeking professional
help. However, these battered women are allowed to meet with other
women in their homes.
BSSA has worked with five Christian psychologists from TELOS
(an International organization for counseling and therapy) to train
women to lead women’s support groups. Through the “Communication
Skills” program, these women were taught counseling skills
addressing domestic abuse.
David Harmon providing training
in Gramsh
School Counselor
BSSA has been providing services for children at the Bajram Curri
School since 1999. This semi-urban school is situated in a traditional
settlement of Gypsies and Roma families with a long history of
social abandonment and stigma. BSSA’s services focus on identifying
extended family members capable of caring for children, reducing
the risk of child exploitation and prostitution, increasing school
enrollment, enhancing participation in school organized activities
of students and family members, and strengthening the school and
community’s capacity to educate and care for their children.

The Bethany Advanced Training Institute
The Bethany Advanced
Training Institute (BATI)
operates on Bethany’s
main campus in Sauk. It offers
a complete training package
for organizations that want
to maintain or improve their
effectiveness in Albania. The
BATI building has the capacity
to provide lodging to 38
people, with access to two wellequipped
conference rooms
available in Hannah House.
The Bethany Advanced Training Institute
In recent years, CORD/ZOA, Save the Children, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Step by Step,
and several other groups have used BATI. In the summer of 2005, the Institute will host summer
courses in graduate-level psychology, in cooperation with George Fox University and TELOS trainers
from the United States. There are also plans for a future Master’s Program in Social Work, which
will operate out of this facility. The building also doubles as affordable lodging for adoptive families
and Bethany volunteers, allowing them to be close to the group homes, the children, and the BSSA
staff.
Thank You!
Bethany Social Services Albania/Kosovo promotes the mental, physical, social, and spiritual wellbeing
of people in need. By serving the needs of the body and mind, we hope to show God’s love
to the soul.
God has graciously allowed us to bear fruit in the last three years, and it is our fervent prayer that
Bethany will continue to show fruit until Jesus returns.
We thank all of you for helping to make this ministry possible through your prayers and
support.
- Bethany Albania/Kosovo Staff and Volunteers

Bethany Kosovo
“Catch-up” classes
Bethany Social Services
Kosovo (BSSK) strives
to support the Kosovar
population in their efforts to live
in peace by providing psychosocial,
educational, and training
programs. These programs range
from improving pre-school education
to practical trade instruction
for young unemployed men.
Much of this work is focused
within poverty-stricken Ashkali
and Egyptian minority communities
in the municipality of
Gjakova. Bethany Kosovo seeks to
integrate these groups into public
schools and society in general.
BSSK’s work in this country includes,
but is not limited to:
• “Catch-up” classes – Remedial classes designed to bring students up to educational requirements
within the local public school system.
• A chicken farm, which provides food for the community.
• Assistance with the celebration of “Youth Day,” September 11, and “Peace Day”.
• The creation of “Gjakova Youth Net” - A network for young people to become involved in the
emerging democratic government system.
• Provision of workshops/seminars – topics include—but are not limited to—financial education,
social needs within the family, marriage issues, violence prevention, etc.
• Development of health education programs.
• Dispersal of humanitarian aid.
• An environmental clean-up program and repair of a local playground.
Kosovo children showing their support for the USA on Sept. 11

Bethany Kosovo
Youth and Voting
Encouraging youth to vote is especially vital in a new democracy. In
cooperation with the nongovernmental organization (NGO) Fare
Verde, Bethany Kosovo began a program entitled “Awareness of Youth
for Participation in Kosovo Election 2004.” Nine debates were organized
near the polling stations for the election. During each debate,
the importance of voting was discussed and information was distributed.
The youth voiced their opinions regarding the major social
problems in Kosovo and stated their ideas for a successful political
candidate.
Kosovo children participating in
Bethany programs
Kosovo youth attending a training class
Rainbow Colors
Bethany Kosovo has worked to improve the childhood of Kolonia
Roma Ashkali-Egyptians (RAE). More than six hundred RAE live
near a garbage dump, with at least 102 families living in severe poverty
and an unemployment rate of 92%. In addition to prejudice, the
children face serious health problems and a lack of education.
Environmental clean-up program
Through Rainbow Colors, the children were invited to explore the
concept of beauty, something not often considered in their daily lives.
This program allowed children to express themselves through various
art media. Staff hoped to increase the children’s self-esteem and positive
socialization by exhibiting their work in schools and within the
center itself. If a child can realize that there is beauty within himself
and his surroundings, he may develop a passion to spread this beauty,
sharing it with others and striving to transform that which is not
beautiful in his life.

Bethany Kosovo
Imagine World
“Imagine World” photo exhibit
The photo exhibit, “Imagine World,” was organized in 2003 with
the German Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development
(GTZ) organization as part of Bethany’s goal to encourage self-confidence
in youth. This traveling exhibit showcased photographs taken
by local minority children. The young photographers saw their work
on display and watched as people appreciated what they had done.
Visitors were able to see their country through the eyes of the youth.
In each of the five cities chosen for this exhibit, BSSK also met with
other youth organizations asking them to contribute to the event.
Thus, the display of paintings, music, and other creative works allowed
more youth to experience the same sense of accomplishment as
the featured photographers.

Grants Received That Help Sustain Bethany’s Ministries
Organization/Individual
Amount in USD
1 Twig $6,000
2. Jack DeLoss Taylor $4,400
3. Catholic Relief Service $3,290
4. Blushi Family Fund Raiser $28,300
5. Council of Europe $5,000
6. Anonymous Foundation $90,000
(granted in 2004 for the Shepherding Home project: 2005-2007)

Staff
Group Home
Dr. Agim Xhumari - Country Director
Dr. Milika Dhamo - Director of Social Services
Alma Mehmeti - Office Manager, Secretary,
Adoption Specialist
Dr. Ira Zogu - Chief Finance Officer (2002-2004)
Vasilika Loli - Chief Finance Officer (current)
Bardhyl Baci - Maintenance
Tahir Kalaja - Driver
Bethany Kosovo
Berat Thaci - Director
Anita Balla - Financial Chief
Albion Zeka - Teacher
Agim Lala - Teacher
Bedrush Podrinja - Guard
Allabashi Clinic, Korca
Dr. Vjollca Paco - Doctor
Ildiko Gjata - Financial Chief
Anjeza Zeqolli - Psycho-social Worker
Donika Andoni - Receptionist
Genta Stefa - Midwife
Suzana Mano - Cleaner
Ismail Dellinja - Guard
Ethem Mete - Guard
Zamir Topi - Guard
Tirana Clinic and
Maternity Hospital
Anila Sulstarova - Pyschologist
Virgjil Nano - Psychologist
Ermira Gjata - Social Worker
Natasha Lame - Social Worker (Mat. 1)
Sonila Masati - Social Worker (Mat. 2)
Oneda Llapi - Social Worker
Mira Kamberi - Social Worker
Fllanxa Cibaku - Financial Chief
Liljana Andoni - Receptionist/Lab Technician
Zana Maçka - Cleaner, Warehouse Manager
Fatos Bako - Driver
Mikel Kanini - Driver
Merita Coka - Midwife
Dr. Fjodor Kallajxhi - Ob/Gyn
Dr. Marjeta Boboçi - Ob/Gyn
Dr. Etleva Kallajxhi - Cardiologist
Dr. Klement Dasho - Oncologist
Dr. Edi Tushi - Pediatrician
Shqipe Mita - Nurse
Ada Koçiu - Nurse
International Volunteer
David Harmon, MS, LPC, NCC and
Melba Harmon, RN - Houseparents and Program
Consultants
Jennifer Taylor and Melinda Darrow - Project Assistants

www.bethany.org
1.800.BETHANY
© 2005 Bethany Christian Services INT-700-BLK-2329