Flogerta, the volunteer from Thumana
Volunteering for children that have lost everything
Everyone calls her Gerta, she has a peaceful smile that you immediately notice the moment you meet her… Her eyes shine when she sees the children around her, these are children she used to see playing in her neighborhood in Thumana. But today, after the tragic earthquake, the shine from her eyes disappear.
We meet Flogerta, 19 from Thumana on a cold December morning. She is one of the first volunteers coming at the Child Friendly Space established by World Vision Albania in a hotel complex in Shëngjin, where 900 people affected by the 26 November earthquake found shelter, among them 100 children that have lost lot a of things.
She studies medicine in Tirana and has ambitious dreams; the most important is to become a good doctor and to serve people in need.
After the earthquake hit she didn’t choose an easy way to return back to her studies in Tirana and be safe. Flogerta decided to stay in Thumana where she grew up, and be committed to children of Thumana, Lezha and Kurbin who underwent through sufferings. She is committed to helping children to cope with the trauma and return to their routine life as soon as possible.
The tragic morning …
The night of 26 November, 2019 was a tragic night for hundreds of families in Thumana, Durrës, Lezha and Kurbin. One could hear the shouts and screams of residents in darkness from everywhere.
"Fortunately, I wasn’t at home the evening the earthquake hit. I wouldn't want to witness the fear my parents had. I was in Tirana and when I felt the shakes I went outside the building where I was together with my cousin and brother. Our first thought was about our parents and my younger brother who was at home with parents. We phoned them, they were safe but the building in front of our house had collapsed,” – tells Flogerta, and the fear she had experienced in those moments seemed to return in her memories for an instance.
After a quick phone call she left for Thumana together with her brother. They arrived around 07.00 am when the situation was chaotic.
“I wanted to see my building, to go closer, but the area was surrounded by police. People were scared, an unusual situation," - she remembers.
Together with her family members they moved to the sports field; the following hours were a mixture of emotions. Anxiety, fear and joy, as well as a great pain beyond what the words can describe.
“It is difficult to explain with words the anxiety, when we were waiting for people under the rubble to be rescued. We had a great joy when it was announced that two men were alive," - recalls Flogerta.
To find the strength within yourself
But in those moments the 19-year-old young girl had to be strong both her parents and younger brother because they were traumatized. “My parents experienced the most terrifying moments,” - she repeats continuously.
“They saw how everything was falling in front of their eyes, they have heard people screaming trapped inside the ruins. My dad, after making sure that my mother and younger brother were safe, rushed to help a little boy and his mother. First he managed to save little Aurel, who was in pajamas. My mom tried to find some clothes for the little boy. Afterwards, my father tried to find some tools - a flashlight and a lever – and risking his life rescued Aurel’s mother out of the ruins,” – shares Flogerta.
A few days ago, Flogerta's family along with 900 citizens whose houses have been destroyed by the earthquake, have been accommodated in a hotel.
‘’Here are many people that I grew up with. The children I used to see playing in the neighborhood each Friday when I went back home are here. It is impossible to continue the normal life without trying to contribute to this community that has suffered so much during these tragic days.
Since the first day World Vision established the Child Friendly Space to help 100 children, Flogerta has offered her support as a volunteer.
Volunteering for children
“It is a small contribution for these children. They have their own world and for them life should go on. That is why I am committed in helping to create a safe and friendly environment for these little ones. I feel so welcomed here," – tells Flogerta.
She is helping the children and their families in need with all her heart. She is there with a kind word and a smile that gives hope.
“Since the first day I have been here, I have seen the dedication and unconditional hospitality of World Vision staff. I am happy because they have given me the opportunity to do something for these children. My heart is full with feelings, it is crucial to make sure these children keep smiling. Maybe I cannot do much but I do my best to ease the pain of these children,” - she concludes.
On this International Volunteer Day and during these challenging days for many families in Albania hundreds of volunteers from the World Vision Impact Groups as well as students from the Faculty of Social Sciences joined World Vision in the emergency response to facilitate the activities in the Child Friendly Spaces for earthquake affected families.