Abandoned and Institutionalized Children and Street Children

The following is a timeline of some of the projects and programs implemented by the Heart of a Child Foundation to help abandoned and institutionalized children and street children in Galati and the surrounding community:

1997 – 1998: We began activities for children who were rescued from state-run placement centers/orphanages.  These actions included socialization activities and programs to help children develop stronger interpersonal skills.  Every activity was designed specifically to address the unique needs of each child.  The project, “And they too are ours” helped children from four different placement centers from Galati and was financed with generosity from the Macon Association in Galati.

1997 – 2006: In September 2007 we rented and began to renovate a home in the Village of Cudalbi to provide shelter for street children and those from broken homes.  The “Forget Me Not House” offered care in a family-style atmosphere for more than 50 children until the summer of 2004.  We constantly monitored the program of the children in education, socialization and in developing skills and abilities to care for themselves.  In 2003 – 2004 we had the opportunity to move the children into Heart of a Child’s apartments in Galati under foster family care.

1999 – 2001: In collaboration with the Word Made Flesh Foundation we helped to develop a day center for street children in Galati.  Approximately 10-15 children came to the center each day for a hot meal, personal care, and were provided with a healthy and clean environment to engage in organized educational activities.

2002 – 2004: We closed the “Iovan Iorgovan” governmental placement center and integrated the 57 children into their natural families or appropriate foster care.  We also opened a day center for 40 at-risk children through the “Together At Home” project which was designed and implemented in collaboration with local authorities and financed through the USAID World Learning grant program.  The services continue to be offered today.

2003 – 2005: The “Skills for Life” project was the second project financed through USAID and addressed youth aged 16-18 from two placement centers in Galati and Braila.  One hundred and twelve youth were taught skills to promote independent living and received professional training including help in identifying professional opportunities upon their completion of the program. The project was designed in collaboration with local authorities in Galati and Braila and supported by the Rotary Club of Braila and the AJOFM in Galati.

2003 – 2006: “Ana Maria House” was opened and began offering care to 8 children who were originally staying in the “Forget Me Not House” in Cudalbi.