Math genius in “Celebrating Families”

In his local area, everyone calls him the “math genius”. He can easily multiply, divide, add and subtract numbers with two, three and four digits, without using a calculator. The question is not yet asked asked, he already has the answer. Numbers are his passion and his whole world. Ermis from Thumana always had a talent for exact sciences, which surprised even his teachers.

“Since the first grade, I realised that math is my favorite subject. Until then, I did not know I possessed the ability to add and subtract numbers. My teachers were of great help as well. As time went by, book exercises seemed increasingly easier,” says the 13-year-old boy about his skill. His ability was revealed during the “Celebrating Families” training.

Together with 27 parents and children, Ermis participated in a two-day camp focused on building healthy family relationships, in the framework of the “Improving families' abilities to cope with emergency situations” project, implemented by World Vision Albania in Kruja Municipality.

“I am very close to my mother, but our relationship has grown stronger after attending the “Let’s Celebrate Family” programme. I really enjoyed the time spent with my family at the family camp. I feel a greater dedication from my mother toward myself and my brother,”  shares Ermis.

He reads about geometry, trigonometry and everything else related to mathematics as soon as he has a free time. Living in the suburbs of Thumana, where he and other children may lack the necessary attention, has not hindered him from deepening his knowledge. 

“Living in the village is disadvantageous. I have not participated in any competitions or school olympicads [competition between school students]. I enjoy studying independently by using the books available and YouTube videos. The older I become, the more I realise that I  have need for books and new opportunities to develop my skills,” the boy states.

For his mother Luljeta, having a son who is talented in math is both a source of pride and joy, as well as an added responsibility.

The family’s main breadwinner is Ermis’ father, who works on the construction, while Luljeta is involved in agriculture.

“It is incredible that my son is so skillful in math. We face hardships, but I will do everything I can to earn enough money so that my son can develop his talent further,” says Luljeta, unable to hold back her tears while talking about Ermis’ first TV appearance. One of the national TV stations dedicated a special programme to the 13-year-old’s talent. This event made Luljeta very proud.

Luljeta remembers the two-day camp in the framework of the “Celebrating Families” programme with gratitude and says that the camp improved her relationship with her two children.

“I will never forget that time. I slept hugging both of my children out of happiness during the first night at the camp. I will try to apply what I learned in the training in my family life. I learned that I should talk more with my children and husband and spend quality time with them. This strengthens the family,'’ says Luljeta.

Participating in the “Celebrating Families” training had a great impact on Ermis, too. He says with a joke that before being a math genius, he will do everything to be a 'genius' son and brother.

“I have learned a lot in these two days. Above all, I have learned that we cannot develop our talents without support. I have learned that before being a math genius, I want to be a genius in my family relationships,” concludes Ermis.

Through the “Improving families' abilities to cope with emergency situations” project, 115 households in Kruja Municipality, in the Fushë-Kruja, Thumana, and Bubq administrative units were supported with regard to establishing stable livelihoods.

Moreover, in the context of the project, several trainings were delivered focusing on the establishment of healthy parenting practices and the capabilities necessary to better respond to future emergency situations. Through these trainings, parents were able to exchange ideas and experiences with each other, as well as to learn certain techniques useful for establishing healthy relationships with children and spouses. 

This initiative is within the scope of the “Earthquake Social Protection Response”, a UNDP Albania project funded by the Governments of the United Kingdom, Finland, and Norway. The project aims to support the Albanian Government and three municipalities impacted by the earthquake - Durrës, Shijak, and Kruja - in the process of designing and translating the policy intent into proper local actions to ensure that men, women, girls and boys living in poverty, or vulnerable situations, intersecting with post-earthquake conditions, have access to integrated, quality social services.