Albania

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One Heart Children's Foundation expanded into Albania in 2022 and is officially recognized there as One Heart Albania since 2024. 

Current Programs

Baba Program:

We have extended our beloved Baba (grandmother) Program to Albania’s abandoned children! Because of the generosity of an Albanian donor, we have hired six Albanian babas to work at five orphanages, in Tirana and Shkoder! But with so many children and orphanages, more babas are needed. Please help provide a loving baba to do activities with the children and give them personal attention. This program not only helps the children, but also the babas who are in need of connection and income. It’s a win-win for everyone! 

Shelter for Women and Children:

At last, a grant has been awarded to One Heart Albania to establish a shelter for women and children in Korçë, Albania on the second floor of one of Mother Teresa’s orphanages! This shelter will help an estimated 80-110 women and children a year who are fleeing abusive situations and don’t have anywhere else to go. Victims will be housed for two weeks while they rest, receive food, shelter, clothing, therapy and access to important resources. They will also be assisted with relocating to other towns to ensure their continued safety. This is just one example of One Heart Children’s Foundation work to help women and end child abandonment in Eastern Europe. It advances our greater mission, which is to eliminate the orphan crisis at its roots. Excited doesn’t even begin to describe how we feel!  

Watch this video of Deborah Dushku, our Executive Director and descendant of Albanian refuges, walk through and talk about the building of the shelter.

This shelter will be made possible due to the generosity of CMS, a Dushku Family Related Organization and through collaboration with government authorities of the city of Korçë. The project will be overseen by Aluflor Construction Group. 

View our One Heart Albania brochure that outlines our efforts in Albania

One Heart Albania is also on social media:  Facebook Page   |   Instagram Page