Children and teenagers with special needs—orphans, those with limited abilities and the underprivileged—will benefit from a new community center established at the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, ADRA, warehouse compound in the Qyteti i Nxenesve district of Tirana.

Activities at the center include English and computer courses; on-site education and health assistance; referrals; recreational activities; informal discussion groups and community-focused activities, as well as an information service. ADRA is partnering with the Tirana Municipality in this project.

“This center we are inaugurating ... is not only a center you can benefit from, but it is also a center where you should help in activities that will benefit others,” said Mimi Kodheli, deputy mayor of the Tirana Municipality, at the recent opening of the center. “It is a great privilege ... to have the opportunity to benefit from the social services offered by the center,” he added.

The municipality assigned two social workers to the project, who will provide support for the activities planned by the staff. Authorities have promised to co-fund the project beginning next year.

Current funding came from an ADRA-International fund supported by private donations. ADRA-Albania hopes to find donors to provide further funding support for the project along with the support of the local municipality. The group hopes to establish similar programs in other parts of Albania.