Two years: Olsi’s journey to school

Two years ago in a stone shack in the mountains surrounding Elbasan, Albania, Olsi Biçaku and his sister, Enkeleda, were found sitting on a mud floor, cowering in the corner by a burnt out fire and clutching each other in fear. Nobody had visited their home in central Albania before and they were frightened of strangers.

The walls of the Biçaku home were blackened by smoke and mould and the musty air was heavy and damp. A roughly hewn bed sat in the corner of the room. This was the only piece of furniture the family of seven owned. What scant food the family could afford was cooked on an open fire in the fireplace of the room.

Olsi’s mother Bajame did not know what was wrong with him. He had never visited a doctor and nor had she In this tumbled down house, Olsi, his parents and his four siblings lived, neglected and impoverished for years. Physical and mental disabilities prevented Olsi’s parents from working and the family lived largely on the charity of their neighbours and the monthly government financial support ().

At six years of age, Olsi weighed just nine kilograms. He was sick, malnourished and had stunted growth. Olsi could not talk, walk or use his hands very well. Olsi’s mother Bajame did not know what was wrong with him. He had never visited a doctor and nor had she.

From such desperate beginnings, a story of transformation began. World Vision Albania, in partnership with a local church, helped the family to build and furnish a new home. A home with a sturdy roof to keep the rain out and windows to let the air and light in. The family was no longer at risk of their home collapsing as they slept. They soon had a stove to cook on and a greenhouse to grow vegetables for the family to eat.

Olsi was taken to a doctor and received medicines, nutritious food and a more sanitary environment. His health improved and he put on weight. Olsi used to sit all day as he couldn’t walk and take part in family life. World Vision took Olsi and his mother to a physiotherapist who suggested exercises that she could do with Olsi to help him improve his standing and movement.

Olsi was transformed from a withdrawn, frightened child to a young boy who always seemed to have a smile on his face In April 2003, World Vision Albania welcomed two occupational therapists from New Zealand who spent time with Olsi and his family. They gave Olsi special shoes and leg braces to help him stand and introduced Olsi’s family to games that they could play with him to improve his mobility and hand co-ordination. The pastor of the local church also became a regular visitor to the home and worked with Olsi to do his exercises. The whole family became involved in playing these games with Olsi and his brothers and sisters included him in their games and conversations.

Olsi was transformed from a withdrawn, frightened child to a young boy who always seemed to have a smile on his face; a boy for whom nothing was too great a challenge.

Slowly Olsi began to walk and talk.

In September, two years after Olsi and his family first touched the hearts of so many, Elbasan Area Development Program staff had the privilege of giving Olsi a very special gift: his very first school bag. With World Vision New Zealand’s support, the local village school was equipped with education materials for children with special needs. Local teachers were trained to use the materials, and perhaps most importantly, local school children became involved in activities that promoted acceptance and understanding of children with special needs. Olsi is one of six children with special needs in the village who now goes to school and learns, just like other children.

I always tell people if they ever wonder why World Vision is in Albania, just look at Olsi\'s transformation Three weeks after his first day at school, Olsi clutches his school bag with pride. His mother Bajame walks him to school everyday. It takes them an hour to walk there, but Bajame is determined to make the journey no matter the weather. Olsi’s favourite things about school are his colouring pencils and maths lessons. He sits at the front of class next to his new best friend, Angjelika and he laughs and plays with the other children in the yard during break time.

With the love and grace God placed in the hearts of a local church and the support of World Vision New Zealand, the life of Olsi and his family has been transformed. Olsi and his family still struggle to make ends meet, but despite their troubles, they have hope for the future.

World Vision’s Judy Moore, who previously led the Elbasan Area Development Program 1 commented, “I always tell people if they ever wonder why World Vision is in Albania, just look at Olsi\'s transformation.”

Photo: World Vision