Romania

Everyone knows about the problems Romania had 10 years ago, when the TV was covering the terrible conditions in the orphanages – but what happened to those kids? Where are they now?

Unfortunately the situation has not improved, with hundreds of kids now living on the streets in Bucharest with no home, education, family or money. This summer 5 of us travelled over to Romania to find out what the situation was like and what DARE could do to help. And we found there was a LOT we could be doing!

We spent a week working in a shelter for kids that have got themselves off the street and want to make something of their lives; we spent a day working at a girls home that looks after 50 young women who have been rescued from the streets; a day painting murals in the baby hospital; and we spent some time working with a day centre who do outreach work, bringing food and medication to the streets, run clinics e.g. mother and babies, and provide advice, legal and medical help, food and, most importantly, love, attention and fun for the kids in Bucharest who range from 1 day old to their late 20s.

There is huge scope for a Romania project next year, loads of beneficial activities to be done and a very rewarding time to be had by anyone who wants to go and help!

Opens Hands Rehabilitation centre: http://www.manadeschisa.org/

Hope Rescue centre http://www.streetkidsmatter.org.uk/
(click on 'DARE students (dundee) to bring christmas joy) and also click on a image, then on Hope Rescue Centre)