Albania sits beautifully on Europe’s Adriatic coast, nestled between Greece and Montenegro in the strategic heart of the Balkans region. This resilient nation of 2.8 million people has quite a story—they’ve weathered centuries of foreign occupation and only broke free from decades of communist isolation in the early 1990s.
Today, Albania is in an exciting phase of building democratic institutions and creating economic opportunities while staying true to their unique culture and tackling real social challenges—which makes it an incredibly meaningful place to focus our mission and development work.
Here's something cool about their history: Albania's national hero Skanderbeg became a legend by successfully holding off Ottoman expansion for over two decades in the 15th century. Talk about determination!
Shkolla Iliria is a newly re-launched school in Tirana, Albania, founded with a mission to expand Christian influence and emphasize high-quality education for younger children. The school was acquired in 2024 by Hervin Fushekati, founder of ISTL (International School of Theology and Leadership, an accredited bachelor’s college for ministry), in partnership with the ISTL Foundation. Now in its second year of transformation, the school is making significant strides in educational excellence.
Currently serving 100 students from 1st through 9th grade, Shkolla Iliria stands as one of the few alternative schools offering full-day private education at an affordable price, with a foundational emphasis on integrity and excellence.
Albania’s public education system presents significant challenges that underscore the need for quality alternatives like Shkolla Iliria. State schools operate on half-day schedules from kindergarten through 12th grade, often accommodating 35-45 students per classroom. This structure creates substantial educational quality gaps, as reflected in Albania’s performance on international education assessments. Additionally, the abbreviated school day frequently leaves children unsupervised for extended periods, creating both educational and childcare challenges for families.
Shkolla Iliria is a newly re-launched school in Tirana, Albania, founded with a mission to expand Christian influence and emphasize high-quality education for younger children. The school was acquired in 2024 by Hervin Fushekati, founder of ISTL (International School of Theology and Leadership, an accredited bachelor’s college for ministry), in partnership with the ISTL Foundation. Now in its second year of transformation, the school is making significant strides in educational excellence.
Currently serving 100 students from 1st through 9th grade, Shkolla Iliria stands as one of the few alternative schools offering full-day private education at an affordable price, with a foundational emphasis on integrity and excellence.
Albania’s public education system presents significant challenges that underscore the need for quality alternatives like Shkolla Iliria. State schools operate on half-day schedules from kindergarten through 12th grade, often accommodating 35-45 students per classroom. This structure creates substantial educational quality gaps, as reflected in Albania’s performance on international education assessments. Additionally, the abbreviated school day frequently leaves children unsupervised for extended periods, creating both educational and childcare challenges for families.
