September 2017

Providing hope in Moldova

Moldova

The  most affected, vulnerable groups of Moldovan society are found in rural communities, where people suffer from unemployment, low quality healthcare, poor education, or high out-of-pocket spending which drives them further into poverty.

In the long term they may desire to go abroad and leave behind children and families. Usually, the children are the ones who stay behind, lacking parental care and support. Either way, poor and vulnerable family contexts push them to social exclusion, exploitation or criminality. In most cases, children are either deprived of opportunities to influence their situation or don’t see that as a solution.  As a response to this acute issue in the society, our partner ministry Beginning of Life, together with local churches in Moldova have started the Rural Centre.

The team formed out of the local young leaders and pastors is focused on empowering children and youth in at least ten rural communities of Moldova. Through shaping the capacity for good and active citizenship of local youth, and engaging them in overcoming the consequences of poverty, our team there want to bring light and real hope in these areas.

By mobilizing local young people and teenagers we can increase their awareness of the most acute social issues in rural communities (poverty, inequality, and social injustice) what will strengthen their hope for their own villages.

Afterwards, these young people were involved in reaching out to over 1,200 children through 13 summer camps organised within their area. As a result, people learned about the project’s intentions, opened their homes and communities and many children had the opportunity to engage in several days of relaxation, interaction with other children and the chance to learn about ways of bringing change to their lives and families.

Now, during the school year, children from vulnerable and poor families come to the Rural Center every day, getting help with their homework and participating in various activities of intellectual and spiritual development.

Moldova header

Ministry partner: Moldova

Developing and empowering vulnerable people in Moldova with the aim of preventing sexual exploitation, abuse or trafficking. Building self-worth through spiritual and healthy moral education. 

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