ROMANIA!

In 2001 I spent the summer volunteering in Romania. I worked in a children's hospital, orphanage, and a foundation for street children every day. I fell in love with the kids I worked with and have been back to see them a couple times since.

Fundatia Nu Ma Uita - The Foundation for Street Children The summer of 2006 was the last time I was there. I took Jed with me to introduce him to as many of my kids as we could track down. He instantly fell in love with them too and learned why these children (now mostly teenagers and adults) have influenced my life permanently.

Vlad and I visiting Ionut at work

Robert, Claudiu, me and Beni in Piata Sfatalui

Claudiu (silly as always) with Jed and Ionut in Piata Sfatalui Jed and I are going back for a week at the end of October and we can't wait!! While there, we will visit what is left of the foundation for street children. It's actually not a foundation at all anymore. Rather, one of the foundation volunteers (Rebeca) offered to share her family's home with the remaining children once the foundation closed down due to lack of funding. Rebeca and her husband are now the sole providers for their own children and four additional "foundation boys." Thanks to Rebeca's kindness, these boys have shelter, warm beds, food, clothing, and the chance at a family life that they would not have had otherwise. These are some lucky boys...

Upsidedown Vali playing at the school

Gigi and Jed outside the house
Alex, Marian, and Vio
Alex, Vali, Vio, and Gigi teaching us a Romanian game

I spoke with Rebeca over the phone this morning and asked her what we could bring for the boys. She answered, "Clothes! Food! Everything!" We want to do everything we can to help her take care of these kids. Rather than purchase things here and lug them all the way to Romania, I figure, maybe my family, friends, and I could contribute some money for purchasing the needed items in Romania.


I've set up a PayPal account to collect donations - you can see the button near the upper right hand corner of my blog. If you'd like to help Rebeca help these kids, go ahead and click to donate whatever amount you can! When Jed and I visit, we'll document where and how the donations are helping, and we'll report to you right back here.
Multumesc! (that's Romanian for 'thank you!')