Firm Foundations Romania

Romania April 2009

Romania April 2009

Romania Fall 2011

Many orphanages closed in Romania following a January, 2005 law that prohibited abandoned children under two years of age being placed in their care.  From that time forward abandoned babies were placed in the care of local hospitals like the Children's Hospital in Brasov.  These hospitals were already under-funded and under-staffed, and in no condition to care for so many unfortunate newborns left behind by financially struggling parents.

Firm Foundations Romania stepped in with a diaper drive as its first project to help with the shortage of supplies.  But it quickly became apparent that more help was needed.  Today, volunteers from the organization work five days a week feeding, holding, changing diapers, and playing with these babies and toddlers.  I have personally volunteered time in the nursery, donning my very own Superman nurse’s smock, holding orphaned babies, rocking them to sleep, and feeding them donated formula, all in the hopes of providing some of that all too essential love and attention a child can only get through human contact.

In addition to providing care for Romania’s sick and displaced newborns, Firm Foundations Romania has taken on the task of reuniting these small children with their families, striving to educate parents on the importance of keeping their children in their own homes.  Further, we have a teenage mentoring program, as well as a MOM’s project designed to help new mothers learn basic skills for caring for themselves and their newborns.  Everything we do is meant to help families stay together, loving and cherishing each other, and to help children of all ages through education and encouragement to pursue futures they can see are by all means within their reach.

I enjoy sitting on the board and acting as a mentor to the great group of people who run Firm Foundations Romania.  They are truly some of God’s angels!