HFTN-Romania is caring for the children of Romania by providing meals and education. Reaching out to the underprivileged through societal integration programs . Partnering with others to help heal the youth of a nation.

HFTN Romania Website – click here

In 2005, the orphanages in Romania were officially closed in preparation for joining the European Union. The Romanian government has had the task of placing over 80,000 children in governmental and non-governmental homes. These homes consist of approximately ten children each and have created a more family-oriented environment over institutionalization. Good work has been done with so many children needing placement that the homes have quickly filled.

There haven't been any programs instituted to date to help change the mentality of parents or to educate those who would leave their children in an orphanage as a means of coping. Most children in the Romanian orphanage system are not true orphans, but abandoned children. A mentality left over from the Ceausescu régime reinforces that it is acceptable to leave a child in the care of the state until home circumstances and finances get better in order to bring the child home. This could mean months, years, or never.

Hope for the Nations - Romania

City: Brasov

Hope for the Nations - Romania heard the cry of the children and has stepped in to be of help to the Children's Hospital of Brasov. The hospitals are now filled with infants and children who have been abandoned. Since there aren't any orphanages available to place these children, and the current placement homes are at maximum capacity, the hospital wards are facing a dilemma.

The hospital are overcrowded and understaffed; children are left to languish in their cribs without the personal touch of a mother or father. The nurses work at full speed, but the ratio makes it impossible for them to give the care that a child needs. They are also short of supplies, so the children are left unchanged for long periods of time and are dressed in rags. This has lead to rashes, infections, and general discomfort for the children along with mental and emotional distress.

With the help of our growing volunteer program, we are able to provide physical stimulation for the children who are now held. We are also developing a social program that will help to return children to their home. It is often the case that parents abandon a child at the hospital because they simply don't have money for transportation from the village to the city, or that they don't have money to even buy milk. Romania has not been fortunate with a fast economic recovery to its lower income population, which is the majority. Middle class is almost non existent.

The support here goes for multiple programs including financial aid to families. The main goal is to be able to keep children in a home atmosphere. If there are any existing relatives that a child can live with, we support them in that home. If this is not the case, we work to find an appropriate foster home for them. A children's hospital and a meal and education program are also a part of this support.