In less than a year, Youth Bible Curriculum (YBC) has done for Lorena Todri, 9, what most parents must do over a child's lifetime. YBC has taught Lorena Biblical truths, enriching her Christian faith and changing her behavior. It is also filling the void of spiritual resources in Albania, which suffered more than five decades of severe religious oppression under communist rule.

Lorena sits on the edge of her seat in the historic, stone quarters of St. Vladimir's Monastery, where she joins her sister, Isabella, 6, and 25 other children from her village in Elbasan, Albania, to study YBC every Monday. She is anxious and excited, eager to share about how the program has changed her life.

'I don't do many sins now,' she begins. 'I remember when I hit my sister. Now I feel so bad, I want to cry every time I think of it.'

For a moment, the sparkle in her eye fades as she recalls that dreadful day. But like a rainbow follows a storm, her face brightens as she thinks about her new and improved manners.

'I try to be more obedient now. I do what my parents and grandparents ask me to do. I behave in a good way towards my family,' says Lorena.

Lorena's mother, Brikena, 32, affirms the difference YBC has made in her daughter's interaction with their family, as well as with other children. She praises Lorena, who bounces around their home like a little gift from heaven.

'I have seen changes in the way she interacts with others. She's more polite,' says Brikena.

As a teacher, Brikena notices the behavioral difference not only in Lorena, but also in other children who attend YBC Bible studies.

'The kids in villages where YBC is are more polite and treat each other better. They should put this curriculum in the school,' she says.

Brikena describes the spiritual void that pervades in Albania as a result of over five decades of communist rule. Until the 1990's when the communist regime fell, Christians suffered severe religious oppression. The regime crippled parent's ability to transmit their faith to their children by destroying Bible materials, churches and monasteries. This has had an evident effect in the moral and behavioral development of today's youngest generation, who with programs like YBC, are only now beginning to discover their spiritual heritage.

'Children don't know the significance of religious symbols – they have to ask their grandparents. They don't have religious values, either. This gap in the culture is a problem,' says Brikena.

Brikena is so convinced of the positive impact of YBC that she wishes the curriculum were incorporated into schools.

'This is a wonderful and needed program. It's very important that the children receive a religious education,' she says.

YBC offers a religious education equally enjoyed by teachers and students.

'We are very pleased with this book. The children really enjoy it,' says Robert Pelushi, who teaches the children's Bible study at St. Vladimir's Monastery.

According to Robert, the number of children attending the weekly Bible Study has substantially grown since the introduction of YBC last October. The children are more enthusiastic about learning, which he credits to the curriculum's focus on discovery, interaction and application.

YBCs focus on learning through discovery helps children learn though involvement and their own experiences, rather than receiving a truth that is handed down by the teacher, which is the traditional teaching method.

Each Bible study includes a time of teaching from YBC, as well as songs, prayer and games. Children also participate in competitions that challenge them to learn about their faiths outside of the classroom.

Lorena is the proud winner of one such contest, in which children were given one week to learn as much as possible about the life of St. Vladimir. Lorena went home and interviewed her grandfather, who filled her with knowledge of the many miracles St. Vladimir performed. He also explained how the saint is a role model for how to show love to others.

Lorena received an icon of Jesus, which she proudly displays on a shelf in her home.

'It's very precious to me - very valuable - because I believe in God and I have won it in a competition,' says Lorena.

Even more precious is that Lorena actually has the opportunity to learn and grow in her Christian faith.

'As a child, I had no opportunities for religious education. I had no chance to learn about my faith,' says Brikena.

'I worship at an Orthodox church, maybe because I haven't had the possibility to attend a Catholic church. Believing in Jesus Christ was my Church. I think the most important thing is to worship Jesus Christ,' she says.

Six years ago, YBC began filling this void in children's Bible curriculum not only in Albania, but in other former communist countries as well. The books have been contextualized to reflect the culture and traditions unique to each country. While the text largely remains the same, the artwork, for example, varies to include each country's most revered saints and iconography.

The curriculum is a series of age-specific books designed to have long-term impact on both children and their families.

'We want children to be able to transmit their faith to their children,' says Ekaterina Papadhopuli, World Vision Albania's Christian commitment manager.

World Vision is partnering with Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches in various countries to produce YBC materials and train the teachers who use it.

YBC now exists in Albania, Armenia, Bosnia, Lebanon, Georgia, Romania and Russia.