Uplifting lives, Helping Little Angels Soar.
About us
The Albanian Angels Foundation is a teenage-led Florida based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to supporting orphanages across Albania. Our mission is to improve the lives of children and teens in less fortunate circumstances by providing essential goods and enriching experiences. We strive to brighten their days and build a hopeful future, driven by compassion, dedication, and the desire to make a meaningful impact in our community.
31,000 orphansÂ
Approximately 31,000 orphans live in Albanian orphanages, with 80% having been abandoned by their parents. These children often grow up unseen and remain unheard for most of their lives. (Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa)
926,000 Children
Nearly a third of Albanian children live in poverty, and the country's health, education, protection, and social programs are underfunded. In addition, the child protection system has a staffing crisis. ( UN Child Rights Committee (CRC))
618,640 AlbaniansÂ
According to a 2021 study, 618,640 Albanians—22% of the population—live below the poverty line. This means that more than half a million Albanians cannot access sufficient nourishment, which is essential for children's development. (World bank)
Hobdari family and children of Zyber Hallulli orphanage (2023)
The Beginning of Our Mission
I’d like to share the story of the first time I visited Zyber Hallulli. As my family and I were driving to the orphanage, I was unsure of what to anticipate. Stepping out of the car onto the stairs of the building, I was met by the piercing eyes of a little girl aged 10-11, who was waiting outside like a guard, or as my parents called her, the "dezhurn." Surprised by our arrival, she called the chief operator of the orphanage, who greeted us. The operator explained that during the summer, the children at the orphanage are often forgotten, as people tend to overlook giving back once the Christmas season is over.
My family and I decided to treat the children to a day of fun at their favorite trampoline park, Latitude. At the park, I connected with a girl who was 11-12 years old during a break. When she told me she initially thought I wasn’t Albanian, her reason surprised me: she said it was because she wasn’t used to the smiles of others around her, so in her mind, I would have had to be foreign. This revelation broke my heart, as it highlighted her unfamiliarity with happiness and affection.
As I grappled with this realization, another touching moment unfolded. It was the birthday of one of the boys at the orphanage, a detail we discovered only through his friend since he was too shy to share it himself. When we surprised him with a toy car he had picked out and longed for, his reaction was heart-wrenching. He clutched the gift tightly, his fear of losing it evident, but he was willing to set it aside to play with the other kids. This simple gift, a small token of joy, meant so much to him and underscored the deeper struggles and longing for stability and affection that many face.
Although these children are fortunate to have clothes on their backs and food to eat, when we asked them what they would like, they simply wished for more trips to the trampoline park and the happiness of playing. Their modest desires highlighted the essential truth: what they crave most is not material wealth, but the joy and affection that many of us take for granted.
That day, I learned a valuable lesson: material wealth and physical necessities, while important, cannot replace the deep-seated desire for love, care, and happiness.
-Anna Hobdari Company's Official Founder
Foundational goal
Albanian Angels is committed to giving love, support, and resources to the children of the Zyber Hallulli orphanage in Tirana, Albania. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to grow, and we strive to provide a supportive atmosphere in which they can reach their full potential. Join us on our mission to make a lasting difference in the lives of these adolescents.