As the holiday season approaches, orphans in care across Albania continue to face significant emotional and economic hardships. With over 21,000 children affected by loss or abandonment, many are spending the festive season in state-run homes, where efforts to bring joy and stability are met with ongoing challenges.
As the year draws to a close, orphans in care across Albania continue to face challenges that many children around the world cannot imagine. With more than 21,000 children either orphaned biologically or socially, the festive season serves as a painful reminder of the emotional and economic hardships these children endure.
In Albania, 481 children reside in state-run and private care institutions. These facilities provide shelter for children whose families are unable to care for them, often due to poverty, crime, or migration. According to the National Orphans Association, approximately 7,500 of these children have lost one parent, while 1,150 have been left completely orphaned.
The Children’s Home for 6-15-year-olds in Shkodër, one of the oldest care homes in Albania, is a focal point for such children. Despite the festive atmosphere in the city centre, life on the outskirts of Shkodër, where the institution is located, is quieter. Workers here are preparing for a yearly tradition — a visit from citizens, businesses, and local organisations who will bring gifts for the children.
“We try to bring some joy to the children, especially during the holidays,” says Ermira Lleshi, a social worker at the centre. “But we know the biggest gift we can offer is a sense of stability, even though they are not with their biological families.”
Currently, there are 29 children living at this home. Most of them come from rural areas where poverty and lack of opportunities have led to family breakdowns. Among them is 9-year-old Asllani, who lost his mother when he was very young. His father, struggling with unemployment and addiction, was unable to care for him, so Asllani was placed in the home.
“I’m very happy for this year,” Asllan says, his face brightening at the mention of gifts. “I want all the children to be happy. My biggest wish is to be with my family, to help them and make them proud.”
Like many other children in care, Asllani’s greatest desire is to reunite with his parents. The emotional toll of being separated from loved ones is a theme repeated by many children in care across Albania.
Aurora Pirovic, a teacher at the “Salo Halili” school in Shkodër, works with 21 of the children from the home. She speaks of the children’s emotional challenges and the difficult circumstances many of them come from. “These children are incredibly resilient, but the trauma they carry is significant. Many of them have been through things that no child should have to endure. The holidays are a bittersweet time for them,” she explains.
To help raise funds for the orphans, Pirovic’s students, alongside other members of the community, have designed a holiday calendar. The proceeds will go directly to the children, providing them with essentials and hopefully helping to ease some of their emotional pain.
The initiative has gained support from not only the local community but from businesses and individuals across Albania. “We’ve received donations from Shkodër, Tirana, and even Pristina,” Piroviç says. “It’s heartening to see such solidarity, especially when so many families are struggling themselves. But it shows that when we all work together, we can make a real difference.”
Despite the generosity shown during the holidays, the long-term needs of these children remain urgent. Issues such as migration, divorce, poverty, and unemployment have contributed to the growing number of orphans in care. The social pressure on families is immense, and without systemic support, many children are left without the emotional and financial support they need to thrive.
According to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Albania has 79 residential care centres, with the majority located in Shkodër and Tirana. These centres not only provide shelter but also attempt to create a semblance of normalcy for children who are often dealing with the trauma of abandonment and neglect.
Yet, as Ermira Lleshi points out, while the physical care these children receive is vital, the emotional scars left by their abandonment are much harder to heal. “Our job is not just about taking care of their needs, it’s about trying to rebuild trust in the world around them. That takes time, and a lot of patience.”
This holiday season, as Albania grapples with its economic and social challenges, the story of orphans in care is one that calls for continued attention and support. The generosity shown by the public is important, but long-term solutions are needed to address the root causes of the orphan crisis and to give these children a chance for a brighter future.
