The impact of the Kosovo War is what gave Suela her first experience of getting involved in the process to help her community. When she was 17 years old, her family invited others into their home for safety and protection. Now, 18 years later, she leads an NGO called Vizion OJF that works on improving the lives of women and children in rural Albania.

Currently, her organization is focusing on projects that create social enterprises for women in northern mountain villages that lack economic opportunities. They also work on collaborations with schools and parents to make them stronger support systems for kids. Their hope is that providing good conditions in schools will give them a reason to continue attending and getting an education. While their work is mostly in ten cities throughout north Albania, they also work in Tirana to lobby politicians and introduce them to the experiences of the communities with support.

While in the Professional Fellows program, Suela worked with US Together in Columbus, Ohio, focusing on the reintegration of immigrants and women’s empowerment through starting their own businesses. Reflecting on her time in the program, she enjoyed the experience as a way to go to a new place and understand that people around the world are facing similar problems and finding solutions that can be shared and adapted.

Suela was drawn to causes focused on women and children after the birth of her daughter, but she hopes that more people will choose to get involved in issues that are important to them. Many good people around Albania are working in different fields she hopes all organizers can learn the importance of collaboration. “Alone you cannot do everything in this world, in a group you can do a lot of things,” said Suela.

She believes that people who feel like they have the energy and desire to make a change should do so. Good people are not alone in this world and always have the opportunity to make connections and collaborate with others who care about the same things. Suela hopes her story and work will encourage others to go on with their dreams, even though it can be hard.

Follow Suela’s work with Vizion OJF at https://www.vizionojf.org/.