Being the hands and feet of Christ to children in Bethany's Transitional Group Homes, and to pregnant women at risk of human trafficking.

Bethany began its Albanian Sponsorship program in 1998. Children involved in the program live in Transitional Group Homes (TGH) built by Bethany and Bethany supporters in 1994 & 2000. The group homes are located in Tirana, the capital city of Albania. Although Bethany built the TGH, they are owned and run in partnership with the Albanian government. Bethany Albania's home office is located in the TGH, promoting direct involvement in child care and program consultation. In addition, American volunteers live in the TGH, applying their professional skills to further enhance child care and provision. Direct child care is provided by Albanian government staff. Each child living in the TGH is waiting for his/her forever family. For some, this comes through domestic or international adoption. Others are reunited with their biological family, or placed with extended family members. Unfortunately, when such options are not possible, some children will "age out" of the TGH when they are 4 years old, and will move to a home for older children. Whatever the case, sponsorship support provides food, clothing, medication, and advocacy for the children while they are in our care.

In the Fall of 2005 we introduced the Shepherding Home Program (SHP) as part of Bethany's Albanian Sponsorship Program. The pregnant women and their children involved in this program are primary targets of human trafficking, a danger that is sweeping through Albania at an alarming rate. The SHP is designed to provide shelter, protection, and counseling to women as they live with local Shepherding Home families through the duration of their pregnancy. Our objective is to help these women avoid trafficking, abandonment, abuse, mistreatment, and abortions while they move towards a life of hope and independence.