Widows Fund Fushe Kosova

It is already spring but today the weather resembled winter. It rained a lot and the temperatures were cool. When we arrived at the Rrustemi family, they were having their breakfast but willing to invite us inside and talk to us. Hadije is a 56-year-old lady living in Fushe Kosova together with other 6 members. The oldest of the family is Hadije, the youngest is again Hadije.

“But… wait! How is that possible?”.

Hadije has a granddaughter named after her.

“It indicates love and appreciation toward me. Firstly, we thought of naming the baby after my deceased husband, but it turned out to be a girl”, said Hadije.

She has 4 children, 2 sons, and 2 daughters. The oldest son Ramadan, 24, is married. He does not have a full-time job and works as a manual worker from time to time.

The only child attending school is Beqir, 18, a high-schooler. He was at school when we visited.

The girls, Aferdita (15) and Vjollca (10), do not attend school. Aferdita stopped her schooling at the 2^nd grade. At this age of hers, it means she has missed 7 grades at the elementary school. Now she would be going to high school.

“Why do not you attend school, Aferdita?”, I asked her.

“I would like to, but I lack a lot of school supplies. And due to our financial status, I had to quit.”

Vjollca is ill since her birth. She never attended school because of that. She and her mother on Saturdays attend the physiotherapy classes at The Ideas Partnership center in Fushe Kosova.

“The physiotherapy classes offered there has improved a lot her condition. Her right hand was very thin compared to the left hand. They are almost the same except that it lacks proper function. I have learned the moves from the physiotherapist at TIP’s center therefore sometimes I apply them to her at home…well, when she allows me” claimed Hadije.

“I am ill myself too”, continued she, as if she was about to burst into tears every time she spoke. “I do not use my medications regularly. They are expensive so I try to save them. The family medicine is free, thankfully, but for my pills I provide myself…. And the only income for our family derives from the social service.”

“We are very thankful to have The Ideas Partnership here. Besides helping my daughter with the physical therapy, they sometimes provide sustenance for us, car rides for health emergencies and whatever kind of help they can offer”, said Hadije, while expressing her gratitude for all of you who kindly donate to help families like hers.

Solely she accepted to take pictures of hers. The others were shy. Hadije accompanied us outside and greeted us warmly.