Children & Families

Today I spent some more time with B.C.Cs Social Worker Daniella.  She's involved with families in the community and assists with the health, welfare and education needs of the areas most in need children.  During term time she works in the schools, at the centre's bible and homework clubs, and also liaises between teachers, parents and the children.  I chatted with her and Corneiliu's wife Diana earlier in the week about the specific programmes and the impact they have locally.

Today I went with Daniella to visit two of the families she works with and even after a week of being here, was still shocked by the very poor standards of living they have to endure.  The first visit was to a grandmother who with her husband looks after three grandsons, who's mother died and father abandoned them.  I've met one of the boys at the centre and was very impressed with his ability and enthusiasm for drawing.  It's a passion that he has found and always carries a sketch pad with him.  I told him he could be an Architect or an Artist one day, and I shared my impression with his grandmother today.  Unfortunately for him, it will take a lot more than skill for him to suceed or be recognised for his talent when he's older, even though she hopes to send him for special tuition at an arts school.  He's the oldest of the three and needs to be taught how to take care of and provide for his younger brothers as his grandparents get older and are less able to.   The five of them live in a two room house, again as I stressed the other day, this actually means TWO rooms.  Supplemented only with a tiny kitchen and toilet.  The lady explained to me that her husband and one of the boys on a rotational basis sleep in the second room, which also serves as a dining room, while she and the other two boys sleep on the sofa and chairs in the other room.

The second home we visited was in even poorer condition.  Only the 11 year old girl was home, but this was also a family of five, parents and three children.  Except this time, there is only one room, ONE room, which serves as livingroom, bedroom, kitchen, storage, and only a curtain to separate it all from the stomach turning stench of a poorly functioning toilet.  There is a fridge in the room, a bed which the girl and her mother sleep on while her father and two brothers (15 and 3) sleep on the floor in front of it, a cupboard for food and clothes, a small table and a two ring electric stove.  The little girl was still very cheery and happy to have us visit.  She's apparently very clever and is learning English well and other too subjects in spite of her difficult living conditions.  The little girl is invloved in several of the centre's programes which are helping her with her education, but also with food and cleanliness too.  As I said to Daniella as we left, I think that has to be the most severe poverty that I have personally witnessed firsthand with my own eyes.  I would have liked to take photos to show how deparate these situtations were, but it just didn't seem right to ask when this is all they have, and whatever the condition, it was their home.

Sadly, the orphanage visit that I was hoping to be able to do, didn't materialise due to no response being received from the local government through the week, despite the fact that we submitted all the written request paperwork much earlier in the week.  However, I've certainly not been short of experiences during my time in Hunedoara, which is now over as I've rejoined the Scottish Team up in beautiful Vermaga where Casa Harului is located.