The dawn of each new day greets Linda and her two years-old daughter, Xhesi, at the same place - one of the most frequented areas in Tirana - the street by the main hospital. Hands stretched out for the pity of others, she repeats the all familiar line, “God bless you ma'am give me fifty lek to feed my child, I beg you.” Annoyed at the request, people glance over her with contempt and keep on walking.

One of the most marginalised minority groups in Central and Eastern Europe, Roma children are accustomed to spending every waking hour collecting cans in garbage dumps or begging for money in the streets. Though visible on nearly every street corner, these vulnerable children are Albania’s forgotten few. World Vision Albania is working to empower Roma children, helping them integrate into mainstream society through provisions such as clean clothes for school. Photographs and text by World Vision Albania’s Gerta Yzeiraj in 2007.