Romania & Moldova

New Hope for Romania and Moldova

On a visit to Romania in 1990, just after the fall of communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, we saw thousands of children "warehoused" in Romania's orphanage system. The children we saw lived in conditions not fit to keep animals in.

They were malnourished, dirty, diseased, unloved and unwanted. We began a program to send vital life-saving supplies on a regular basis.

Over the years, The New Hope Trust has helped thousands of children with regular truckloads of food, medicines and other vital supplies. As well as that we’ve transported fuel to heat orphanages, provided vehicles for the transportation of children and orphanage staff, and even sent over medical professionals for urgently needed medical care.

In 1995, our relief efforts were extended to Romania's neighbour, Moldova. The New Hope Trust "adopted" yet another orphanage in the town of Hincesti. The year before we arrived, thirty children froze to death in their cribs during the brutally cold Moldovan winter, and sixteen more had already perished that year. We are thrilled to report that not one single child has suffered that awful fate since we began helping this orphanage.

Cupcui Orphanage and Stella's House

A forlorn little blue sign was the only indication that anyone lived in this desolate part of Moldova. We turned our vehicle down the seemingly endless muddy road and found a ramshackle orphanage in the tiny village of Cupcui.

When we met the children we knew we had to help, for they were living in a world where freezing or starving to death were frighteningly commonplace, and a constant fear for every child. The roof leaked in torrents, "when it rains outside for a day, it rains inside for a week," they said. Black mould covered the walls. No heat, no hot water, and their drinking water was tainted – they were literarily drinking poison. These children were in desperate trouble. So, as you can see below, we did a major overhaul of the orphanage.

		The new roof we installed on the orphanage, it no longer rains inside no matter what the weather does outside! While we had the old roof off we took the opportunity to transform the loft space into a whole new floor!
Right is the old boiler system. Two of the three didn't work at all, and one only marginally. You can see to the far right the new modern boiler system we installed in its place.
	We replaced the old dangerous and filthy washing machine with a number of new modern washing machines so the children would have regular access to clean clothing.
		Previously, the orphanage only had one shower. It was in an outbuilding and was cold-water only. We set up modern hot-water shower and restrooms on every floor.
Clean drinking water is a fundemental requirement of human existance. Without it we cannot survive. The old water system and sinks were completely unacceptable. We replaced the water filtration system to ensure the children had access to clean drinkable water and replaced the grotty old sinks with lovely clean new ones.
	The old toilets were, quite simply, unfit for use. We replaced them with all new toilet and shower facilities on every floor.

Since we began helping them, their world has completely changed. For the very first time in their lives, these Children know what hope is.

We continue to provide assistance to other orphanages as well. In Straseni, home to Moldova's largest orphanage, we replaced 391 broken, rotted-out windows, yet again staving off the dangers of sub-zero temperatures in the children's bedrooms.

While the work in Moldova's orphanages remains vital, we found our focus shifting as we came face to face with the horror awaiting thousands of young girls when they are forced to leave their orphanages at age 16.

Stella's Story

Stella's heartbreaking story, and the wider tragedy of what happens to so many vulnerable young girls when they are thrust on to the streets of Moldova, led us to mount an all-out rescue effort. Today that ministry is known as Stella's House, in honor of a beautiful young girl who should never have faced such an awful fate.

For more on Stella and the Stella's House Ministry, click here!