“Family photographs”
Who would have thought that in 2020, when the world seemed to be running faster than ever, along such a big and invisible threat to our health would come all of the sudden, that we all had to put everything on pause and go back home.
Even today, for many of us, the disturbing pictures of the emptiness and loneliness of the streets, shops and parks in the spring of 2020 are still fresh ...but few of us know that on the contrary of those pictures that nurtured the sadness in us, inside of our houses or yards, there in the heart of the family many of us had begun to strengthen families. As they became part of the initiatives and games together within their homes, they did not forget to shoot some other types of photographs. Pictures that narrate the joy that family and God above give us.
The idea of this online gallery was born precisely by seeing and virtually traveling through hundreds of pictures taken by family members themselves as a result of many activities organized by World Vision in the municipalities it operates.
During this period, specialists in the field of psychology suggested a variety of family activities, where everyone, regardless of age, could become part of various games and not feel the weight of ‘isolation’.
That is how many initiatives came to life one after the other, such as #Stayathomefamilychallenge, the 30 days podcast series by two psychologists, Anila Sulstarova and Florian Kulla, who dealt with important topics to build resilience, or otherwise, to gain a set skills for the individual and the whole family, so that if they ever find themselves in an emergency situation, they can rise right back up.
On the other hand, we continued the support with food packages families in need and distributed seedlings, seeds and various orchards and beekeeping items for families living in rural areas, so that they could have the opportunity to take care of their children and families.
Most of the families said that this period got them thinking about how it was time they took mare care of their children, and not be there only when it comes to entertainment, but also to be vigilant to protect them from every form of violence or abuse in the family, school, neighborhoods, society or strangers.
What is the purpose of these initiatives?
These initiatives aimed at turning families into safe, lovely and non-violent homes for the children.
They tried to strengthen families, relieve parents from anxiety and uncertainty and provide children with psychosocial wellbeing, so that every child can enjoy his/her life fully.
The pictures
The pictures are not professional, nor were the photographers, and in most cases the pictures were taken with a mobile phone.
In this online gallery you will find the Albanian family, so simple, without the splendor of beautiful clothes and make up, but equipped with a stronger weapon, the brightness of their eyes and family happiness.
Among the pictures you will find relatives; neighbors or distant acquaintances and among them you will notice similar moments to the many that you and your family also have gone through.
You will find ordinary people doing extraordinary things...
You will see the parents, teachers, psychologists, volunteers and ground staff of World Vision who turned into silent heroes, as one of the young people from Librazhd stated: “We nurture the seedlings, you nurture hope in us”.
Why?
To protect our health, by respecting the measures of health authorities, social distancing and by avoiding mass gatherings as can often happen at the inauguration of galleries, for the first time we brought a different kind of gallery, completely online; beautiful and challenging at the same time.
We invite you to visit some of the best memories from an extraordinary situation...
Gallery realization staff
Idea and realization: Programmatic staff: Curator: Design:
Vasilika Bargjo Arvenola Bekteshi Soela Zani Blerim Xhani
Aimona Hotova
The material was gathered from families by: Bora Bahiti, Klodiana Zogu, Brikena Cucllari, Fatmira Pjetri, Enkelejda Mitro, Besilda Jusi, Ornela Saraci, Valentina Hysenaj, Ardita Zefi.