Freezing Temperatures in Moldova

Despite temperatures in the –20’s the Child and Community Centre in Iargara, Moldova continues to open its doors on a daily basis to vulnerable children.

Many of these children’s parents are abroad trying to earn money to support their families. Their children are left in the care of elderly grandparents or older siblings, daily existence is a struggle, finding firewood and food often very difficult.

At the Centre supported by Children on the Edge these children have a warm and safe place to visit. Here they receive a hot meal, get help with their homework and speak to the staff in confidence about their problems.

The Centre helps support 180 children from the 160 families in the community whose parents are working abroad. Without such support the children could find themselves on the street or even in a child care institution.

Radu is one such child.

His Father has no job and mother is abroad. He has two older sisters and they all live in very poor living conditions with minimal income. Radu struggles at school but with the help he gets at the centre, his schoolwork is now improving.

He has made new friends at the centre and often stays on after he has finished his studies, just to play.