New boots bring confidence to children in Romania
What it is most striking about a small village situated in south-western Romania, is the absolute quietness of the place. It is such an absolute quietness that it speaks for itself. The thoughtful faces of people reveal the trials of their everyday existence: they live in old adobe houses, fight poverty, lack of adequate food, lack of employment opportunities and limited and expensive opportunities of commuting to the city. Those who were in strength and had a chance migrated long time ago to the city to make a decent living:
“Our village is well- known for the elderly population and [its] inaccessible and difficult to walk connecting road. There are only 110 families left in the village,” says Florentina Ionascu, World Vision’s community worker. “Many people have tried and still try to move closer to the city or even closer to the main road of the commune so that they could find a job, make a living, manage to keep their children in school,” she adds.
Only 25 children still live in this village. When it rains or snows the unpaved road becomes impracticable and impassable. Since the school bus cannot reach them, they have to walk 8 km to get to their school, located in the next village.
“The road is long and tiresome and outside is so cold that our hands and feet get frozen,” says Raluca, 7.
“When I leave my home in the morning, it is dark outside,” says Andrea, 11. “I meet Raluca and the other colleagues and continue our way together. We sing and talk to make time pass faster and not feel the cold. Sometimes, we get frightened as different dogs stay in our way,” she adds.
The house of Raluca, 7, and her little brother, Mihaita, 6, is situated on the top of the hill. From their home, one can see the entire village, which at first glance reveals a nice landscape. Behind the natural beauty, however, lies a different picture; a cruel reality which reveals: limitation, resignation and struggle. Because their house is on the top of the hill, Raluca and Mihaita have the longest distance to walk.
Their house is made of adobe. Its cracked walls and broken windows let the rain and cold in. However, the cleanness and pleasant smell create a comfortable atmosphere.
“Every day I clean the house, make the fire in the stove and try to have something to put on the table because when Raluca and Mihaita come back from school they are wet, frozen and exhausted,” says their mother, Loredana, 28, a woman who is known in the village for her commitment and kindness.
Nasturica, 35, is their father. He is a hard working person. He loves his children so much that he would work day and night for them if there was work to be found. In the area, however, the only chance for him to make some money is to work here and there when somebody has extra work or work in the community to gain the welfare given by the village hall.
"We have to do all that stays in our powers to keep them in school"
“I would be so happy to be able to give my children more. They need to study, to have the chance to build a better future then ours. We have to do all that stays in our powers to keep them in school,” says Nasturica.
In present, besides the family’s financial difficulties the other obstacle that threatens Raluca and Mihaita’s access to education is the long and difficult distance they have to walk to school which is a burden, even for an adult. When it rains or the snow melts, the ground becomes sticky, it clings on children’s boots, giving them the impression that they carry an extra weight. They walk hand-in-hand to help each other. Sometimes they slip, fall and get dirty but they rise and continue their walk together. Occasionally they will take short rests to catch their breath and clean the mud that keeps them from moving off their boots.
“All their boots are torn and worn,” says Loredana. “We do not have anything proper to give them to wear. It has been raining continuously for a week, the road got worse and they come home with their feet frozen and wet. Mihaita has got a cold and I had to keep him home this week,” she adds, worried.
New winter boots
Loredana’s concerns diminished and she regained her hope when Raluca and Mihaita received new winter boots through a donation facilitated by World Vision. “I am so happy and content to know now that they will not anymore have water in their boots and that they are protected from [the] cold. It is such a relief for a mother,” she says.
“Their new boots will help them a lot walking through the muddy road to school. They will no longer slip or fall or stay with their feet wet at school. Thank you!” says Nasturica.
“My new boots are light and comfortable,” adds Raluca.
“My feet are warm now. I feel great with them and wear them with pleasure! Thank you from all my heart,” he says.
“I love my boots because I will no longer slip on the mud,” affirms Mihaita, smiling.
More than 3,000 children in Dolj ADP like Raluca and Mihaita benefitted from the winter boots donation, which brought them and their families’ confidence and comfort as well as made their every day struggles of walking on the unpaved and often muddy roads a little bit more bearable.