The Heart of a Child Foundation

Children living with HIV/AIDS

The following is a timeline of some of the many projects and programs implemented by the Heart of a Child Foundation to help children and youth living with HIV/AIDS in Galati and the surrounding community:

1997 – 1999: Through the “Help Abandoned Children Living with HIV/AIDS” program, Heart of a Child received support from local donors and SERA Romania and took action to substantively improve the living conditions for 25 HIV+ children who had been abandoned by their families in the Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Galati.

We received a steady stream of donations including: food, clothes, toiletries and medications. Through the program we began to organize educational activities for the children.  It was the first time for many of the children to walk in the park, attend concerts, participate in a camp and to spend their time in a true “family” atmosphere.  In 1997 we found 3 families to adopt children and take them out of the hospital.

1998 – 2002: In 1998, thanks to a generous donation by the Hoffman La Roche Foundation, we were able to provide triple-cocktail anti-retroviral treatment for 8 children (only 9 children in the entire country were receiving the triple-therapy at the time).  Through donations we continued to provide anti-retroviral treatment until this treatment could be offered consistently by the local hospitals.

1998 – 2000: We began programs to integrate abandoned children from hospitals into foster families or family-style homes operated by Heart of a Child.  Through the support of SERA Romania, in 1999 and 2000 respectively, we opened two family-style homes: Casa Mihai and Casa Ana Maria.  They were the first homes of their type in the entire country.  From 1999 – 2006 the two homes have offered cares to 28 children with HIV/AIDS or children who were abandoned by their families.  Each house offers a family-style environment and a secure, loving atmosphere.

2000: The last HIV+ children were removed from the specialized wards of the hospital and were integrated into society.  Throughout the year we continued our advocacy for financing of a Day Center for HIV+ children in Galati; we received support for financing development through local associations and the parents of infected children.

2004: With the generous donations from our supporters at Heart of a Child UK, we modernized and renovated two rooms in the local hospital for periodic medical treatment of children living with HIV/AIDS.