Nourishing Futures: Franci’s Story of Hope and Economic Empowerment

In the village of Katund Sukth, Durrës, in a modest yet lively home, four young boys are growing up. At the edge of the house, in the garden filled with seasonal vegetables, six-year-old Franci has his favourite spot.

With a glass of fresh milk in hand, he joyfully runs every morning to the family’s barn to play with their cow and the newborn calf. For many of us, a cow might just be an animal. But for Franci, his three brothers, parents, and grandparents, it means much more — it’s a source of livelihood.

Healthy food for the children, security for the parents

“Since we received the cow from World Vision, we no longer buy any dairy products from the market. We have everything we need for our children: cheese, yoghurt, curd, butter, and milk. And we know exactly what they’re consuming,” says Irena, Franci’s mother, as she carefully hand-milks the cow.

The cow has become a guarantee of healthy nutrition for the boys, and a pillar of the family’s economy. It means fewer expenses and greater security.

A turning point

Artan, Franci’s father, carries the weight of the entire family. At one point, they were facing serious hardship. Four young children to feed, elderly parents living with them, a paralysed mother: all resting on the shoulders of one man. He had worked in construction, agriculture, and even abroad, but couldn’t build a stable foundation.

“We couldn’t make ends meet. We had a cow before, but when it got sick, we couldn’t afford to replace it. It wasn’t just an economic issue; it was about survival,” he recalls.

Everything changed when the family joined the project “Empowering Families through Livestock: A journey of hope and prosperity”, funded by World Vision USA and implemented by World Vision Albania.

Through the project they received not only a Danish-breed cow, but also a rebuilt barn, animal feed, free veterinary services, and training.

“World Vision helped us with everything. They gave us the cow, rebuilt the barn, and provided the feed. We also have a vet who comes whenever we need support, we just call him and he comes right away. Through the training, I learned how to feed the cow, care for its health, and maintain barn hygiene,” - Artan explains, with hope in his voice as he shares his plan to start a small farm with the newborn female calf.

“It’s an opportunity to grow the herd and invest in my land. This has greatly improved our family’s economy. We no longer need to buy any dairy products. With World Vision’s support, our family’s financial situation has improved significantly,” he adds.

More than a cow, a comprehensive intervention

This wasn’t a partial intervention, but a holistic one. The project doesn’t just provide livestock, it lays the foundation for a sustainable economy, better nutrition for children, and a more dignified life for parents. So far, 30 families have received cows, and dozens more will be supported in the coming months.

The goal is clear: to improve the well-being of 620 children and economically empower 200 families in the Durrës area through sustainable livestock farming and quality products that families can use or sell.

A cow may not be everything. But for a family in need, it can be a fresh start, a path to healthy nutrition, and a stable household economy.

At the end of our visit, Franci, shy but curious, invites us for a glass of cold yoghurt.

“There’s nothing like homemade yoghurt,” he says, with a smile that stays with you.

And in the fresh taste of that yoghurt, we feel the flavour of a better future for Franci and his brothers, one that’s coming, slowly but surely.

Alfons Cupaj, PR and Communications – World Vision Albania