T he Gospel of Christ Church is carrying out significant humanitarian work among the Roma community in Tirana. Through the Butterfly Program, we have established initiatives for Roma children in two different areas: the riverbank area in Babrru and in Shkoza. These communities face severe social, economic, and cultural challenges. Unemployment is extremely high, and many Roma children are forced to beg on the streets daily, exposing them to serious risks, including human trafficking. Parents often compel their children to beg or scavenge for scrap metal from garbage bins to sell, as a means of providing for their families. The situation is particularly dire, with widespread alcoholism and domestic violence among the men. Many parents are incarcerated, leaving children in vulnerable and unstable conditions. Most families live in makeshift huts near the river, enduring inhumane living conditions. Frequent flooding destroys their shelters, further worsening their already precarious situation. Through the Butterfly Program, we aim to bring hope, education, and support to these children, helping them break free from the cycle of poverty and exploitation.
Our Aim
Our primary focus is to provide food, healthcare, and family support for Roma children. Over the past years, the Butterfly Program has been serving nutritious meals five days a week to approximately 150-170 Roma children. We are dedicated to keeping these children off the streets, where they are forced to beg daily, and to providing a safe and supportive environment that shields them from the constant threat of human trafficking. Through our efforts, we strive to offer them hope, protection, and a pathway to a better future.
Roma children love going to school, but poverty and discrimination are the main barriers preventing them from receiving an education. Thanks to our project, around twenty children now have the opportunity to attend school.
The church has provided school bags, supplies, and essential materials to support their education. In addition, we have assisted families with food, clothing, blankets, and household essentials, helping to improve their daily lives.
Through these efforts, we have witnessed remarkable transformations in the lives of Roma children, offering them hope, dignity, and a brighter future.