Clothing donation brings children hope and joy at Christmas time
For people in Rasnic village, in Romania’s Dolj county, time seemingly stands still. Families live in old adobe houses, children suffer from poor nutrition and in winter students struggle through mud and snow to reach school or church.
During winter time, when expenses increase there are days when we lack the necessary foodThe Pitigoi family lives on the main road of the village, in a two-roomed house which appears to have been uninhabited for years - not the home of parents Gabriela and Adrian and their four children: Nicoleta, Norica, Gheorghita and Andreea. The cracked walls, broken windows and old roof let the cold and rain in and any heat they can muster, out. Despite harsh living conditions, they are hospitable and warm people. The children have quick smiles and their joy of playing transforms the initial gloomy atmosphere.
“They give us power not to give up. Our family’s income comes from the children’s allowances and my husband’s welfare. During winter time, when expenses increase there are days when we lack the necessary food,” says their mother Gabriela.
Nicoleta, 11, is the elder of her siblings. Despite her delicate appearance and timid voice, Nicoleta’s eyes reveal the power and will to bring change in her family’ life. She is the one who helps her parents with the household activities, takes care of her brothers and always finds time to do her homework. Moreover, she is a real support for her sister, Norica, who has been diagnosed with a mental delay.
“She is attentive and careful with Norica who must be guided and supervised all the time. She is her guardian angel", says Gabriela.
According to Romania\'s National Statistics Institute and Ministry of Education, only one in four children from rural areas in Romania has the chance to continue education after middle school. From that point on, many of them follow the path of adult life, working alongside their parents while some girls get married. Because of the financial difficulties her family faces, the statistics hint at what Nicoleta’s holds.
“We can not support our girl to attend high school. The costs are greater in the city”, says her father, Adrian.
But Nicoleta is much more optimistic. “There has to be a chance for me. I want to be a good student and help my family when I grow up.” When she finishes middle school, Nicoleta could be selected to participate in World Vision’s “I want to be in the ninth grade” project, which supports students from rural areas to continue a high school education in urban areas.
There has to be a chance for me. I want to be a good student and help my family when I grow upNicoleta and her family respect Romanian and Christian Orthodox traditions. They go to church on Sundays and on special events, and find hope and trust in their faith in God. The village priest is their friend and adviser. He often comes to their home to talk to the children and tell them different stories about the Saints who also faced many trials
“Simple and misfortune people who don’t lose their faith in God are special people. Even if the Pitigoi family is among the poorest in Rasnic village, they keep their unity and dignity. It is a pleasure for me to come and talk to them. I hope the moments spent together bring them a bit of peace and hope for the future,” says village priest Preda Marius.
The visit by the priest was also very special on this occasion because he delivered clothes provided by World Vision donors in the United States.
I could not remember the last time when we afforded to buy them clothes. My heart is content because they are properly dressed nowThe children looked at the presents with amazement and happiness. So beautiful and colourful that they could hardly believe that they now owned them. They received trousers, blouses, shirts and jackets. Nicoleta was fascinated by a spring-green shirt that matched her eyes and hair: “I look forward to wearing them to school,” says Nicoleta. And at the same time the children’s happiness brought their parents peace: “I could not remember the last time when we afforded to buy them clothes. My heart is content because they are properly dressed now”, shares their mother.
This year, Christmas didn’t hold the usual anticipation followed by disappointment. Santa Claus came even earlier and brought them presents: “Around holidays, when you have nothing to give your children, sadness becomes more profound. Because of your kind gesture, they now truly feel the Christmas spirit: the pleasure to receive presents, the chance to wear new and beautiful clothes, the happiness and peace of the celebration”, says their grateful mother.
Hundreds of children like Nicoleta and her brothers from Dolj County also benefitted from the clothing donation, which brought them much-needed joy and hope this Christmas.
-Ends-
During winter time, when expenses increase there are days when we lack the necessary foodThe Pitigoi family lives on the main road of the village, in a two-roomed house which appears to have been uninhabited for years - not the home of parents Gabriela and Adrian and their four children: Nicoleta, Norica, Gheorghita and Andreea. The cracked walls, broken windows and old roof let the cold and rain in and any heat they can muster, out. Despite harsh living conditions, they are hospitable and warm people. The children have quick smiles and their joy of playing transforms the initial gloomy atmosphere.
“They give us power not to give up. Our family’s income comes from the children’s allowances and my husband’s welfare. During winter time, when expenses increase there are days when we lack the necessary food,” says their mother Gabriela.
Nicoleta, 11, is the elder of her siblings. Despite her delicate appearance and timid voice, Nicoleta’s eyes reveal the power and will to bring change in her family’ life. She is the one who helps her parents with the household activities, takes care of her brothers and always finds time to do her homework. Moreover, she is a real support for her sister, Norica, who has been diagnosed with a mental delay.
“She is attentive and careful with Norica who must be guided and supervised all the time. She is her guardian angel", says Gabriela.
According to Romania\'s National Statistics Institute and Ministry of Education, only one in four children from rural areas in Romania has the chance to continue education after middle school. From that point on, many of them follow the path of adult life, working alongside their parents while some girls get married. Because of the financial difficulties her family faces, the statistics hint at what Nicoleta’s holds.
“We can not support our girl to attend high school. The costs are greater in the city”, says her father, Adrian.
But Nicoleta is much more optimistic. “There has to be a chance for me. I want to be a good student and help my family when I grow up.” When she finishes middle school, Nicoleta could be selected to participate in World Vision’s “I want to be in the ninth grade” project, which supports students from rural areas to continue a high school education in urban areas.
There has to be a chance for me. I want to be a good student and help my family when I grow upNicoleta and her family respect Romanian and Christian Orthodox traditions. They go to church on Sundays and on special events, and find hope and trust in their faith in God. The village priest is their friend and adviser. He often comes to their home to talk to the children and tell them different stories about the Saints who also faced many trials
“Simple and misfortune people who don’t lose their faith in God are special people. Even if the Pitigoi family is among the poorest in Rasnic village, they keep their unity and dignity. It is a pleasure for me to come and talk to them. I hope the moments spent together bring them a bit of peace and hope for the future,” says village priest Preda Marius.
The visit by the priest was also very special on this occasion because he delivered clothes provided by World Vision donors in the United States.
I could not remember the last time when we afforded to buy them clothes. My heart is content because they are properly dressed nowThe children looked at the presents with amazement and happiness. So beautiful and colourful that they could hardly believe that they now owned them. They received trousers, blouses, shirts and jackets. Nicoleta was fascinated by a spring-green shirt that matched her eyes and hair: “I look forward to wearing them to school,” says Nicoleta. And at the same time the children’s happiness brought their parents peace: “I could not remember the last time when we afforded to buy them clothes. My heart is content because they are properly dressed now”, shares their mother.
This year, Christmas didn’t hold the usual anticipation followed by disappointment. Santa Claus came even earlier and brought them presents: “Around holidays, when you have nothing to give your children, sadness becomes more profound. Because of your kind gesture, they now truly feel the Christmas spirit: the pleasure to receive presents, the chance to wear new and beautiful clothes, the happiness and peace of the celebration”, says their grateful mother.
Hundreds of children like Nicoleta and her brothers from Dolj County also benefitted from the clothing donation, which brought them much-needed joy and hope this Christmas.
-Ends-
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