My Story

Ismet Zito is a 40 year old man and his birthday is on May 21st. He is mentally ill since birth and as a result of this health issue he is disabled and needs special care from his family as well as from all of the other people of the community, therefore we as Adopt a Child have contributed to help him through the Living Water Adopt a Child program. Ismet being in this health condition is receiving a monthly pay considered as an invalid pension. His favorite color is red. He has a sister who is suffering from the same illness. Her name is Zamira. She is paralyzed and has mental issues and her mother cares for her while she is laying in bed day and night. For this reason, the mother is also benefiting a pension, carrying for both of them. Ismet’s mother can’t work in the lands or do anything else as she needs to stay in the home and care for the needs that Ismet and Zamira have. Ismet likes to play with a ball in the yard of the church. Ismet’s family is located in Katjel. His house has four rooms that don’t offer appropriate living conditions to them. There are four people in his family. His father’s name is Zylfi and his mother’s name is Anife. In the past she had a job in agriculture and is now retired and receives retirement payment. She suffers from high blood pressure and diabetes and she is treated with medicine, and her daughter-in-law takes care of her. His father is also retired. He is receiving a monthly retiring pension from his previous job. At present he works a bit in their land to provide wheat, and a few other products that they plant as food provision for the cow. He plants alfalfa and corn to provide the stock food for the cow and feeds it during the winter inside the stable close to his home. During spring and summer, he takes the cow out in the fields to be fed. Keeping a cow, the whole family benefits milk, yogurt, cheese and butter and once a year, selling the calf, they benefit an amount that is used to buy more food that they consume for the year. The father can’t do a lot of work in the land, but at least he provides the wheat and grinds it to flour so that his wife, Ismet’s mother, can bake the bread for them at home. The family owns a tractor which they use to work the land, and a car which they use for private purposes. The welfare of the family is actually remaining in poverty and at times Ismet’s brother helps them, even though he is not living in the same home. He emigrates to Greece for seasonal work. The Living Water Church in Katjel has several activites during the week. The church services are on Saturdays. Ismet is actually coming and attending the church services regularly and at times his mother comes with him. Ismet’s family is thankful to the Adopt a Child programme for the constant help they have received for Ismet and Zamira.

Edited by Carrie Gipson

Missionary, Adopt a Child Albania