Day Centres run and "owned" by the local church

Moldova, Republic of | OM International

OM Moldova supports nine Day Centres throughout Moldova. The children who come to the Day Centre are from poor families. Most of them have many brothers and sisters. While some children live with only one parent, others sadly live on the street.

When the children arrive at the Day Centre after school, they receive a hot meal, help with their homework and personal attention from the workers. This is extremely important for children who often don’t receive such at home.

Sasha, one of the children who attends the centre in Dubasar, is an 8-year old girl from a very poor family. She looks unkept and less developed than children her age. She is also not able to attend school regularly. Often she has lice. Since her mother died, men visit her alcoholic father to share a drink daily. It is shocking to witness the situation Sasha lives with daily. Dubasar Day Centre workers are not able to change her living condition, but they care for her as much as possible, loving her as their own daughter.

Victoria, an 11 year old girl who attends Ilenuta Day Centre daily lives with her grandmother since her father died a few years ago. Not able to cope alone with four children, Victoria's mother took to the bottle and the children moved to their grandparents to be raised. Advanced in years, Victoria's grandmothers struggle to care for their grandchildren. The Day Centre workers were encouraged when they saw Victoria's mother attend the parent's meeting and various special programmes at church.  “It’s a step forwards," they say. "We trust in the Lord, and believe that He will work in Victoria's mother's heart, so that one day she will come to faith.”

All Day Centres operate closely with the local church, and the workers are also church members. With the help of financial support, we are able to provide money for food for the children, as well as training and a basic salary for the workers.

Members of the church are faithful in supporting their Day Centre in prayer, finances and products. People who have cows at home donate milk monthly, while others donate chicken or oil. Some of the Day Centres have even started their own vegetable garden to supplement the supply. We pray and hope that the Day Centres will be fully supported by the local church in the future!

For 20 Euros a month you can support a child to attend Day Centre. Please contact us if you would like to help children like Victoria and Sasha:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Credit: OM International
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