Dori and Suada's story

Dori (5) and Suada (15 months) are brother and sister. The manners and methods of their upbringing and development differed a lot, though I am the one who raised both of them said Neta, 28, their mother from Fier, one of the biggest and most developed towns in Albania. "The old methods I used when Dori was a baby/toddler have negatively influenced his development. When Dori was a baby/toddler, I went to the Mother and Child Care Unit (MCCU) only for health problems and for his immuni-zations because in this way it functioned four years ago.

Due to the high fevers Dori had when he was a baby, he had feet and hand pains and I have been keeping him home fearing to let him out because he could catch cold. At home I didn’t allow him to play because home should be in order and not a mess if guests come said my mother- in- law. I dedicated very little time for him because as to the tradition and old mentality I should firstly care for the house and then for children’s development - narrated Neta. "I first met Dori when he was 3 years old", said Flutura, the MCCU specialist, "and he was a very shy child, didn’t play with children and was often sick. But now the change is evident. He is more active, communicates more freely with children and parents, is more agile and creative and reflects light in his eyes". "I like to play with cubes, to paint and to go out to play with my friends" expressed Dori. "For two years I have come to the MCCU twice a month; I read a lot of books and materials that centre specialists gave me. I have enriched my knowledge and have almost totally changed and improved my methods on development and treatment of children" said Neta.

The very satisfactory development of Suada and the notable improvement of Dori’s development are a psychological and spiritual relief for me. In the meetings with MCCU specialists and mothers I have also been taking my mother-in-law. Her mentality has started to change. She has become more tolerant and understands that child care should be a priority". Due to Save the Children support this MCCU, now unique for its type of activity in Fier, is no longer only a health centre but has transformed into a child centered activity centre where mothers, grandmothers and sometimes fathers come to discuss, learn and share experience on issues of child’s development and learning. Children as well participate in these meetings and play with each other, they are introduced to new child care methods and practices - expressed Flutura. The MCCU, is not simply a (health) centre, but an answer to the develop-ment needs of Dori, Suada and thousands of other children.