In Albania, Food and Medicine for the Poor

The seven members of the Nehemiah Gateway Social and Medical Improvement help people for a living. They distribute food, clothing, and medical aid to the poor in Pogradec, Albania and the surrounding villages, helping almost 400 households a year. They also offer an array of medical, behavioral health, and palliative care resources to the community, free of charge, conducting weekly home visits for people in the Pogradec area with disabilities.

This summer, I joined NG coworker Anila on a home visit to an elderly man with a permanent leg injury. He lives with family members including an adult daughter and her son. Treatment was administered in the family living room, and Anila talked with the rest of the family while she worked, taking her time and listening to them while also observing her patient for any new symptoms. Instruction and support to the family members who are the primary caregivers is an important component of every visit, and in some cases social workers help clean the house and make lunch for the family. Our commitment to some of these families spans years. Every week somebody from Nehemiah Gateway’s SMI team goes to the house, provides care according to the needs of the patient, supports the rest of the family, and identifies and supplies other resources. In a society with almost no residential care available, this aid and moral support makes a challenging situation a little better.

When we left, the family hugged Anila and thanked her for coming. This was one of 90 people with permanent disabilities, and 60 people with temporary disabilities, that NG helps—some at home, some at our clinic, week after week and in some cases year after year. In supporting In Albania, Food and Medicine for the Poor, you are helping Anila and her team to bring comfort and hope to families in need.

Gratefully,

Sarah