Partnership in Albanian rural school renovation

this project is a good model for schools across Albania to match local resources with foreign funding and establish strong alliance for development in Albania He added, “The community and commune have emptied their pockets to invest in the education of their children; therefore this investment is long-term and powerful.”

The school was first constructed 50 years ago and had not undergone any renovation since.

“I am very happy to have a ‘new’ school. The ‘old’ school I remember was so destroyed and no-one has reconstructed for a long time,” said 12-year-old Sherbet Bepiri, a resident of Fushe Buall village, located in a mountainous area of Shushice commune, Elbasan district, east of the capital, Tirana.

“I cannot believe to see the school in such wonderful condition, 36 years ago, when I was teaching here we had to combine two classes in one classroom,” said a former teacher of the school.

Elbasan 1 Area Development Programme (ADP) Team Leader Arjan Gjorga confirmed that the school was in a bad condition: “Doors and windows were old and falling apart. There were not even any toilets.

“The best thing about this project was the involvement of everyone; the community, the commune and the education department. Success is guaranteed,” he said.

Albanian schools in the rural areas have suffered from a lack of government funding, leaving students studying in rooms with leaking roofs, broken doors and windows, and limited desks and chairs.

The best thing about this project was the involvement of everyone; the community, the commune and the education department. Success is guaranteed,” Students can now enjoy classroom with windows and doors preventing them for the cold winter air. All classrooms are equipped with desks, chair and chalkboards.

The Community Based Organization of Shushice commune prepared the project proposal for the reconstruction of this school. The total value of the project was US$34,795, of which the community and local authorities contributed up to 53 per cent.

World Vision has implemented several projects in Fushe Buall village, such as the construction of: three bridges; the surrounding wall and toilet blocks for the school; and the sports field. It has also implemented an income generation project.