Palliative Care in Shkodre
Palliative Care in Shkodre
For more than 20 years, the sisters of the Spiritual Path Community have lived and worked in their small convent on the outskirts of Shkodër in northern Albania. Together with local people, they share everyday life, respond to poverty with practical support, and provide help where it is most urgently needed. Their daily encounters with sick and vulnerable individuals led to the creation of the “Home Care – Palliative Care” project — an important step toward building a care infrastructure that previously did not exist in the region.Many seriously ill and care-dependent people in Albania live without professional support, as home-based care services were long unavailable. In cooperation with four parish communities and Caritas, a network for home care was therefore established.
A central component is the state-recognized training program for care assistants, led by Sr. Christina. The 230-hour course provides both practical and theoretical knowledge for the care of seriously ill patients. The trained care assistants are employed within their communities and are firmly integrated into local structures. Each community has its own base station for storing medical and nursing supplies and for maintaining documentation.
The caregivers support seriously ill and often bedridden patients under frequently challenging conditions. Regular home visits provide medical and nursing assistance while also relieving family members, who are often under significant psychological and financial strain. The Hilfsverein Nymphenburg plays a key role in supporting the project by providing essential nursing and medical supplies — indispensable for pain relief, wound care, and preserving the dignity of patients.
The project demonstrates how targeted training, reliable structures, and practical material support can work together to sustainably improve the lives of people facing great hardship.
Palliative Care in Shkodre
For more than 20 years, the sisters of the Spiritual Path Community have lived and worked in their small convent on the outskirts of Shkodër in northern Albania.
Support for Families in Delvinë, Albania
The economic situation in Delvinë, Southern Albania, remains extremely challenging. Unemployment is high, and many families have little opportunity for a steady income.
Soup Kitchen in Vlorë
In Vlorë, many elderly and homeless people live under difficult conditions. State pensions are often very low, and the costs of medications, doctor visits, or daily necessities frequently exceed their means.