Texas agency, churches bringing
relief to Moldovan orphans
___SAN ANTONIO--In Romania, there is a saying: "When you think you have it bad, thank God you don't live in Moldova!"
___The reference is to the tiny Republic of Moldova, a former state of the Soviet Union, which is now an independent country mired in political gridlock and dire poverty. Among
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CHILDREN in a Moldovan orphanage hold up eggs they have dyed and are about to eat. Quality food like eggs and meat is scarce in their diets.
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its most vulnerable citizens are its children, and more specifically, its orphans.
___A group of Texas Baptists recently took up the challenge of bringing relief to these orphans.
___The volunteers were affiliated with Children's Emergency Relief International, a ministry of Baptist Child & Family Services; First Baptist Church of Porter; Kingwood Baptist Church; and Mission Springs Christian School in San Antonio.
___More than $20,000 worth of supplies were shipped in January and are scheduled to arrive in Moldova this month for distribution among the orphanages being served by the Texans. The contributions include children's clothing, shoes, bedding, personal hygiene products and other provisions.
___The aid is especially timely because Moldova recently experienced a severe ice storm, worsening an already grave situation.
___"A lot of people derive satisfaction from knowing that the blanket they sent is going to be used by a child who really needs it," noted Steve Davis, vice president of Children's Emergency Relief International. "While direct donations of material goods are greatly appreciated, monetary gifts help the Moldovans in two ways. Not only can (we) target the orphans' most critical needs, spending the money in Moldova helps the country's economy."
___Some funds are allocated to buy food, for example, since among the poor, a typical meal may consist of little more than warm soup. Meat and fresh fruit is especially difficult to find in Moldova and is a rarity in the orphanages.
___A Texas volunteer who traveled to Moldova last November recounted seeing a youngster attempt to eat a banana with its peel intact. The child never had seen a banana.
___Other funds are earmarked for supporting children placed in foster homes.
___"We can put a child in foster care in a rural area for maybe $30 a month, and in the city, it may run anywhere from $40 to $75 a month," Davis said. So far, the Texas-based relief effort has placed 28 children in foster care.
___The next big challenge is finding ways to help the orphans when they leave the orphanages. When children reach 16 or 17, they are required to leave the relative safety of the orphanages, and most are ill-prepared for the transition to the outside world, Davis said.
___So Children's Emergency Relief International is trying to teach the children skills that can help them adapt after their exit from the system.
___Davis said his agency plans to build a dormitory-like structure where discharged teens may live while learning job-related skills. Eventually, he envisions operating a self-reliant farm. He also wants to bring American teams of doctors and dentists to the region to provide health care for the poor.
___He urged Texas Baptists to "consider Moldova a mission field."
___"The children seem to be really bright and adaptable. They're somewhat depressed, but they're very endearing. And just after a day or two with them, you feel like you are making friends."
___For more information, call Davis at (210) 832-5000, e-mail him at sdavis@ bcfs.net, or write to CERI, 909 NE Loop 410, Suite 800, San Antonio 78209.
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