LEFT BEHIND: Moldova's Children & Elderly

Moldova, Republic of | Debbie Meroff

Vlad’s dad is in a Moscow prison, his mother is working abroad. The boy himself has lived some time with his grandparents, but this week his mom is home for a visit. Vlad’s eyes shine as he talks of her and the surprise she promised him. But then his face clouds over. “I would rather have her come home without money, but stay and live with us. At night I dream of her leaving again, and then I cry.”

About 25% of Moldova’s 4.3 million population—almost a million men and women—seek employment outside the country. Parents commonly leave their children behind with grandparents and sometimes end up marrying again. The number of broken families has reached epidemic proportions.

A few years ago OM decided to work with churches to provide day centres for some of the thousands of children who have never experienced a normal family life. The centres start when local schools finish each day and offer a healthy lunch, homework help, Bible stories, games and crafts.--A safe and happy environment. OM’s international teams have also built outdoor playground equipment for some of the centres.

“Any child aged 7 to 12 who needs help is welcome,” states Agnesa, who leads a centre in the north of the country, “They don’t have to be from a Christian family.”

Often the centre attracts kids who are abused by alcoholic adults or live in overcrowded rooms, sleeping in their clothes and eating whatever scraps they can find or steal. Although they can attend public schools, they are required to bring their own notebooks and other supplies, even toilet paper. Those who are too poor to afford such things are made to sit in the back row of class, and are ignored by the teacher. As a result many children fall behind or give up trying to learn.

The Rezina Day Centre uses the church premises and opens every weekday from 1 to 5. “But the kids don’t want to go home,” Agnesa smiles. “They are always hanging around the church, hoping someone will come. One holiday we wondered if we should close, but when we arrived the kids were already standing outside, waiting for us.”

She adds, “Eighteen months ago I wasn’t convinced there was a need in our city. Now I’m very glad we started this work. It isn’t easy.--These kids are always seeking attention, trying to find out how much we love them. But we need to keep this work going!”

OM is currently bringing hope to 185 children through 9 day centres. Snejana Ursu, who oversees this work, notes that the goal is to see it become locally self-sufficient. “Right now the centres are dependent on outside resources, with churches supplying 5% of the budget--a big amount for them. The mayors in the towns are happy for this work and sometimes offer help. But the church “owns” the project. They decide on what facility to use, come with a proposal and select the children and workers.”

FOOD AND FLOWERS

Snejana also heads up OM Moldova’s elder care outreach. Many old people live alone and a pension of 10 to 30 Euros per month, if they get one, cannot cover food and medicine. OM partners with 8 churches to provide at least some of the worst cases with a daily nutritious meal—often the only one they get. Other folks are visited at home and receive parcels containing food, hygiene products and other necessities like soap powder and socks.

For some of these old folk, the pleasure of interacting with others during their lonely day is just as important as receiving food. Esther Hippel (Austria) speaks of visiting tiny, 85-year old Marina. “She lives alone, hardly ever leaving her property or getting visitors, no radio, no TV. Because it’s ‘women’s day’ we have each received a flower earlier. Now, as we leave, one of the girls decides to give her flower to Marina.

“One month later I’m there again, this time with different people. Marina greets us warmly, then looks closely at me: “Weren’t you here yesterday?” When I reply that I had come before but some time earlier, she states, “I don’t remember so well what day something happens, but it was when you brought me a flower!”

Field Leader Matthew Skirton is keen to continue efforts for such people, as limited as they are. “I think God wants us to help churches feed elderly Molovans,” he says. “We run this programme for six months and would like to extend it to twelve. But we’ve got 37 projects we’re trying to raise money for. If He doesn’t provide the funds…we just can’t.”

Credit: Debbie Meroff
© 2010 Debbie Meroff