Two pairs of shoes for my child is really something!

Florin is one of 30 children and teenagers with disabilities who benefits from the special services offered by the Medgidia Multifunctional Center opened by World Vision, last year. Hungry for human touch and a social life, 15-year-old Florin discovered a comforting, trusting and warm environment which is helping him to overcome the challenge of living in very poor conditions and without a father at home. Two pairs of shoes donated by World Vision in the United States have also brightened Florin’s world and taken a burden off his mother.Florin lives in Medgidia, a small city in Constanta County, Romania, together with his mother Florentina, aged 32, and a little brother. He was diagnosed with medium mental retard and an attention deficit. Yet, he attends a mainstream school in a special class and tries to be good boy and does everything that his peers are doing.

Until 2010, Florin and his family lived in a very poor area of the city, named “gardens”, in a small room, without electricity and water. But sharing a three square metre room with another three persons wasn’t the worst thing. Worse was being constantly afraid of a violent father and arguments between his parents.

Now, Florin, his mother and brother are living in a two room apartment, with costs covered by the city hall. Though the rooms are very small and the toilets and bath are shared with other residents, the children enjoy some tranquillity, which has sadly come with the loss of their father who has moved away.

A visit to the World Vision Center, just a short time after the move and separation– a major change in his life, was the second best thing that could happen to Florin. Now he can’t wait to meet his group of friends from the center, to play games and to paint, which is his favourite activity.

Colour is the primary way Florin expresses his inner emotions and feelings. And, gradually, the pallet of colours Florin uses to paint is more and more optimistic and his esthetic sense is developing well.

Florin also benefits from kinetic therapy. He takes part in group games and does exercises to gain strength and to restore his equilibrium.

To see Florin happy, smiling, relaxed and playing with children, having a best friend is the best gift for me. And this has happened since he came to the World Vision Center

The two pairs of shoes he received from World Vision are perfect for him and useful not only at the centre, but also at home. Florin uses one pair at the centre and the other pair he uses at home.

“It is recommended that Florin wears lightweight shoes with a straight sole,” says Constantin Simionescu, the World Vision Center kinetic therapy specialist.

Florin likes his new shoes.

“Florin has a broader foot and that’s why it’s a little bit difficult for him to put on the shoes by himself. But the shoes are very comfortable and he uses them all the time at home. Even outside, when he plays games with the children, in front of the block,” says his mother Florentina.

“In the past I bought him shoes made from cloth, but not such good quality as these. “For me, to receive two pairs of shoes for Florin is really something!” she adds, watching Florin running in with the children.

As she speaks about World Vision’s support her voice is sincere and her eyes are shining from some hidden tears. She receives just 500 lei (US$130) a month to raise her children. Both of them go to school and need clothes, shoes and food. Both of them are always neat and clean because their mother works hard to take care of them properly. For this reason she took a two hour cleaning job at a drug store, even though she is already a full-time carer for her son.

“To see Florin happy, smiling, relaxed and playing with children, having a best friend is the best gift for me. And this has happened since he came to the World Vision Center,” Florina Shares.

Eighty pairs of shoes were donated by World Vision to the beneficiaries of the Medgidia Center and their families.

The Multifunctional Center is a project financed by European structural funds and coordinated by World Vision Romania. Both the centre and shoes and clothing distributions are part of World Vision’s development approach to meet immediate and longer-term needs and to ensure all children enjoy good health and are cared for, protected and participating in their communities.