How it All Started...

In the summer of 2001 I went to Romania through an organization that matched college age volunteers with international service opportunities. I was placed in Brasov, Romania with a group of 4 other American girls. These girls became like sisters to me during our summer of humanitarian work.

Ashlee, Me, Angie, Lori, Alyssa, with Cristina

Not picutred here, is Brooke who joined us a little later.

We were signed up to work 4 hours every morning in the recreational therapy department of the city of Brasov's children's hospital.

Spitalul De Copii (The Children's Hospital)

Me and a sad little boy at the hospital - we tried and tried but could not get him to smile.
Me with some hospital kids - the baby (Sorina) had childhood Leukemia.
Me and Maria

Working with the children and babies in this hospital was very fulilling work, but 4 hours a day was not enough for us. We had gone to Romania with the intent to spend most of our time volunteering. This led us to pursue opportunities to work at a local orphanage and a foundation for street children.

At first the directors of these institutions were wary of American volunteers and would not give us permission to work there. They knew of the bad press Romanian orphanages had received in America and did not want a group like ours to come in and bring terrible stories back with us. However, with a lot of persistance (mulitiple visits with the directors involving flowers, chocolates, letters of recommendation from the hospital staff, and lots of prayers), we were finally given permission to work 2 hours a day at the orphanage, and 4-6 hours a day at the foundation for street children.

Costin, Robert, and Mihai at the foundation
Viorel, Me, Costin, Vlad, Brooke, and Adrian at the foundation
Adding our work at the orphanage and foundation changed each of our lives forever. We learned about the importance of family, friendship, trust, and unconditional love. We saw the effects on children when these things are lacking, and the incredible difference that can be made when they are restored. We developed bonds with the kids we served that truly made us feel like they were our own children or siblings.

Larisa and I at the foundation These bonds are what have sent me back to Romania twice already, and now for the third time. Each time I return I hope to track down as many of my kids as I can, and I hope even further that I will find them to be happy, healthy, and living with a roof over their heads.

Whether or not I find them in this state, for many of these kids, depends entirely upon the kindness of others. That is why Rebeca's work is so important to me, and that is why I'm asking my friends and family to donate what they can. If you'd like to help out, just click on the PayPal button toward the upper right corner of my blog. If you want to know a little more about my fundraising project, check out THIS POST below.

In the next few weeks before we leave for our trip, I hope to be able to share a few stories with you about my Romanian kids and show you just why they are so special to me. If donating is not something you can do right now, please feel free to simply read along!