Kristi's story

With bright blue eyes, a warm smile and curly hair, he stretched out his hand to welcome and greet us and felt pleased that guests have come to his house. Kristi is an 8 year-old boy living in Gorice, situated on a hill in one of the oldest areas of Berat. The road to Kristi’s house is in poor condition and made from paving stones. The location of his house is not an unimportant element for Kristi, as it is not easy for him to walk there; he tires easily and feels pain in his limbs. He loves to play with other children, but misses these opportunities because he has to go down the hill to meet his friends. Kristi’s house is very small and damp inside. The living room is where all the family stays. Kristi learns, plays, and both he and his sister sleep in this room. Kristi’s motor development has been difficult since his early years of life.

It is very hard for him to walk and maintain body balance, his abilities to coordinate and focus on simple actions are weak. With SCiA and our partner’s support, Kristi has been making great progress. He has been able to attend kindergarten at the age of six and the two-to-three-years of kindergarten’s learning plan was completed by Kristi in just one and a half years. He was then enrolled in the first grade of the primary mainstream school. "At the beginning I had no hope for my son. Kristi had difficulties to articulate words, to concentrate and coordinate his movements. He was like a baby that couldn’t do anything by himself. He was a real psychological and physical burden to me. He was very aggressive especially when expressing his dislikes or when children refused to play with him. I was so stressed and cried all day long. But since the time Kristi was involved in this project and when good progress signs were shown, I started to hope.

Now I am enthusiastic and contented. Kristi is more independent, calmer. I feel his intellect has developed. His concentration has improved a lot, he is good in reading, has improved his writing, recites very beautifully; he loves children, listens to me and understands his mistakes. I work more with him for his school tasks and apply extra exercises as advised by the social worker" Moza, Kristi’s mother.Now she is very pleased because Kristi has reached a mid school level. Children consider him the same as others. They do not sympathy or tolerate him. He has a strong personality, and sensitive. "Initially the cooperation with parents was very difficult.

Community reaction, others’ sympathy toward him, hurt Kristi’s family who every day kept to heart the weight of pains and sufferings for the son, but also the thought that his future would not be easy and the same with that of his mates. We worked closely with them first of all to break the mentality. Non exposition of the 'sick' son was considered by the parents as a way to protect other family members mainly his sister 17 years old. "Kristi’s parents were provided training and they have gained skills on how to care and work with him. They are now more creative, and have more courage to work and play with him.

With Kristi we worked intensively and have been teaching him basic life skills in almost all areas of development focusing mostly in his motor, language and socialisation abilities - the social worker. "Kristi’s progress made me to overcome the mentality. The society is not prepared for such cases and we should keep facing it. But I see joy in the eyes of my son, in my heart hope has come to life.

Kristi, the sunlight of my eyes is doing better"- his mother. Kristi likes ABC book, more than math. He likes 'Scrape' vehicles because his father works with them. He likes the school because there he learns and plays. Now he dreams for the future: "I like to become a doctor and heal the children and after these words remained silent. It seems as if it is no more need to speak longer. Light of his eyes reflects hope".