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Iosif’s story

Iosif, aged 9, lived in the Oradea orphanage (Bihor, Romania) for children with profound special needs until we closed it. He has severe psycho-motor difficulties resulting from cerebral palsy and when we first met him was severely underdeveloped, in terms of his weight and height, for his age.

In the orphanage, Iosif spent almost all his time restricted in a cot with little sensory stimulation or human interaction. He could only walk for very short distances with considerable support and was fed by staff lying down. Iosif would rock all day to stimulate himself, but his frustration still often manifested itself in temper tantrums and aggressive behaviour towards both children and staff.

Due to his need for intensive therapy and support Iosif was placed in a small family-type home for 12 children as part of the closing insitutions process.To the amazement of the care-staff, stimulated by the novelty of his new environment, Iosif started to engage with and explore his new home from the very first day. His curiosity was so great that he started to try to move around and, with support from physiotherapists, is now able to walk without support and even climb the stairs.

Iosif has learnt to communicate using sounds and basic signs to express his need to go to the bathroom, desire for food and, very importantly, hugs and attention. He is now able to sit on a chair and has learnt to engage and play with the other children in the house and with toys without losing his temper. His rocking has almost stopped. These amazing changes bear testimony to the difference that growing up in a caring environment can make.

Ilena & Gheorghe’s story

Ileana and Gheorghe, brother and sister, were both abandoned at birth. We first met them during our closure of the Gardani orphanage for school-aged children, where we learnt that they had lived in large institutions for 11 and 12 years respectively - the entirety of their short lives. Both children were severely traumatised and struggling in the tough environment of the orphanage. They were failing at school due to a lack of educational support, and were introverted and unhappy.

Above all else Ileana and Gheorghe wanted a family of their own. As we were unable to trace their birth parents, we placed them with a foster family. After a long process of assessment, matching and short-stay visits it was decided to place Ileana and Gheorghe with a foster family living on a small farm in rural Romania.

Their foster mother is a teacher and their father an engineer and they have two children of their own. As soon as they moved in, Ileana and Gheorghe showed significant signs of development – both physical and intellectual.

Their new family supported their placement into a mainstream school and helped their rapid progression to the next grade. Very soon we documented significant positive improvements in the children’s behaviour, communication skills and self-esteem. Both Ileana and Gheorghe are now happy, charming children with a lot to say for themselves and they adore their new parents and siblings.