Children in Moldova Orphanage "Disqualified" From Advancing to High School
July 12, 2016Allies Board Member and volunteer, Carla Fink, recently interviewed several orphans at a Bible camp in Moldova. These orphans live in the Bulboaca orphanage that AiYD serves.
“Volunteers visit this orphanage once a month. They play games together, both indoor and outdoor, sing songs, tell Bible stories, and give out gifts such as candy and toys as well as necessities such as soap, shampoo, socks, and underwear.” Carla described.
There are approximately 80 children who live at Bulboaca. All of them have been diagnosed with some sort of mental disability, although looking at them from American eyes most of the children appear normal. A few have down syndrome or other minor disabilities. Some probably are ADHD, and some have learning disabilities.
“Because of these diagnoses, these children are not given the opportunity to advance further and are disqualified from entering high school, making it impossible to advance their education. Their only option is to go to professional school – typically cooking for girls and auto mechanics for boys.”
“When I asked the girls if they would like to own their own restaurant someday, most smiled and said yes, but looked as if the thought had never occurred to them before.”
The girls moving to Chisinau for school are being invited to attend the Logos Church in Chisinau (https://www.facebook.com/logoschisinau/?fref=ts). The church is looking for ways to support the girls as they leave the orphanage and begin life in the city. The girls can expect a very small amount of government support while they’re in school – around $15-$20/month.
Below are some of the girls Carla visited with.
Lydia, 15 years old, is from southern Moldova (didn’t get the district or village) but has been living at the orphanage in Bulboaca. She has two brothers who live in Moscow and work in construction. Her father lives in Moldova but left the family three years ago when her mother got cancer. Lydia is graduating from the 8th grade at Bulboaca, and plans to go to professional school in Chisinau in September. She will stay with her mother until she moves to Chisinau. Her favorite subject in school is Eastern European language. She will be going to school to become a cook; she wants to be a chief cook someday.
Alexandra, 14 years old, is from a village called Todiresti. She has been at Bulboaca since the 1st grade. She has a brother named John, who takes care of her. He is working in Canada and she only gets to speak to him via Skype. She likes all of her subjects at school, and especially enjoys embroidery. She wants to study dressmaking and embroidery; she’s interested in fashion design and wants to open her own shop someday. She enjoys playing games when the volunteers from Allies come to visit. Alexandra is happy when the people around her are happy, and when her parents are close by. Alexandra’s dreams are to be a famous person, to be secure, to have a roof over her head, and to have a family.
Cristina, 14 years old, is from a village called Hirbovat. She has been at Bulboaca since the 1st grade, but she loves her village and enjoys playing with her friends. She has a very good teacher named Natalie. Her brother Nicolai, 16 years old, takes care of her and her sister, and buys them things. Her dad bought her some clothes two years ago. Cristina wants to study dressmaking. She enjoys playing games when the volunteers from Allies come to visit.
Carla, Alexandra, Cristina
Adriana, 15 years old, is from Bulboaca where the orphanage is located. Adriana is graduating from the 8th grade at Bulboaca, and plans to go to professional school in Chisinau in September to become a cook. She enjoys making salads and yeast breads. Adriana has a 4-year-old brother. Her parents live together in Bulboaca but she lives at school during the week. She enjoys sports, especially soccer. Her team recently won a competition in Chisinau. Her favorite subjects in school are Eastern European and Romanian languages. She also enjoys embroidery as a hobby.
Katya, 15 years old, is from the village Bulboaca. She just graduated from the 8th grade and will be moving to Chisinau to study cooking. She recently made soup with chicken, but wants to learn how to make everything. She wants to cook traditional Moldovan food. Her mother works as a janitor in a school. Her younger sister is starting school this year. Katya enjoys the games, songs, and gifts that the Allies volunteers bring.
Mikaela, 14 years old, is from a region called Riscani. She just graduated from the 8th grade and will be moving to Chisinau to study cooking. She recently made plof (it’s like pilaf) with meat. She enjoys making salads, and wants to learn how to make everything. Mikaela wants to be a professional cook and work in a restaurant. She does have parents; she also has a brother who is working and a sister who is married. Mikaela also enjoys the games, songs, and gifts that the Allies volunteers bring.
Katya, Carla, Mikaela