Vjollca Obërtinca is a 46-year-old woman from Fushë Kosovë who lives with her husband and three children. Being deaf, she has faced many challenges over the years, including limited access to professional training opportunities and barriers to formal employment. Despite these obstacles, Vjollca has always remained determined to support her family and build a better future for her children.
Vjollca Obërtinca is a 46-year-old woman from Fushë Kosovë who lives with her husband and three children. Being deaf, she has faced many challenges over the years, including limited access to professional training opportunities and barriers to formal employment. Despite these obstacles, Vjollca has always remained determined to support her family and build a better future for her children.
Before joining the workforce, Vjollca’s daily life was dominated by household responsibilities. She had never attended a vocational education training center, and finding employment seemed like an impossible dream.
“I felt stuck in a routine that didn’t give me much hope,” she explains. “I wanted to work and contribute, but the opportunities just weren’t there.”
About a year ago, a remarkable opportunity changed the course of Vjollca’s life. LC Waikiki Kosovo, a popular retail clothing brand, approached Save the Children Kosova/o with an interest in employing people with disabilities. Flaka Ismaili, the HR Specialist at LC Waikiki, explains the company’s motivation:
“Our internal audit showed that we needed to improve our compliance with legal requirements regarding the employment of people with disabilities. But more importantly, we wanted to create a real and supportive environment where people with disabilities could work and use their full potential.”
Through collaboration with Save the Children, LC Waikiki identified Vjollca as a promising candidate for employment. She was hired as a part-time Sales Assistant at their Fushë Kosovë store. In just one month, her hard work and dedication earned her a full-time position. “Vjollca adapted quickly,” Flaka says. “She is responsible for organizing clothes, pricing items, attaching alarms, and helping customers. She performs her tasks with enthusiasm and professionalism.”
The store team embraced a culture of inclusion.
“Her colleagues made efforts to learn sign language and how to communicate through lip reading,” Flaka shares. “It’s important that all our employees feel respected and valued. Vjollca’s presence has changed the team’s perspective on disability.”
For Vjollca, working at LC Waikiki is more than just a job; it is a source of pride, confidence, and independence.
“Before, I was limited to my home and family. Now I’m part of a team, I have responsibilities, and I feel that I belong,” she says.
The positive impact of Vjollca’s employment extends beyond her personal experience. LC Waikiki has since hired five people with disabilities, with plans to increase this number to at least nine, meeting and exceeding legal obligations in Kosovo. The company serves as a model for other employers in the country, showing that inclusive hiring is not only possible but beneficial for business and community development.
This story illustrates the critical role that partnerships and advocacy play in breaking down barriers for marginalized groups. Save the Children’s program focuses on empowering people with disabilities by connecting them to vocational training and employment opportunities.
Vjollca encourages others with disabilities to pursue their goals despite difficulties.
“Don’t give up. Work hard, be patient, and believe in yourself,” she says. “If I can do it, others can too.”
Flaka agrees, adding,
“Employers need to rethink their approach to hiring and inclusivity. Vjollca has shown us the value of diversity in the workplace. It’s about human dignity and equal rights, not just ticking a box.”
The partnership between Save the Children and LC Waikiki highlights an important shift in Kosovo’s labor market towards inclusivity and equal opportunity. As more companies follow their lead, the hope is that people with disabilities will have greater access to meaningful employment and social integration. In conclusion, Vjollca’s story shows the importance of inclusion and the difference companies and organisations can make when they prioritize human potential.