New shoes instil confidence before school starts

Friday, October 5, 2012

Located in south western Romania, Varvorul de Jos commune consists of eight villages that are spread out amongst the hills. People here are simple, working, open hearted; trying every day to find ways to make a decent living. The main sources of income are working the land, animal breeding and gardening. Although the nearest town is only 25 km away, the distance from civilization is still evident: there are people who live in adobe houses, do not eat adequate food and in winter face very low temperatures and living conditions which become more and more difficult. Some of them have never been to town, maybe, because of lack of opportunity or, maybe, as most of them say, “the cost of transport is too expensive”. Certainly, in this kind of world, life experience becomes as challenging as possible.

Close to the main street of the commune, in a house which seems ancient, lives the Nuta family: mother Daniela, 37 years old, her son, Catalin, 16 years old, her daughters, Elena, 11 years old, and Ioana, 5 years old.  The cracked walls, broken windows and old roof speak for themselves. Only the blue colour of the house, the little dogs playing and the children’s smiles make the atmosphere less gloomy. The family’s fixed income comes from child allowances and consists of US $80/month. The children’s father has not been heard from for years and Daniela is the one who has to take care of everything:

“In our village you cannot find a stable job but I work on a daily basis: going to the field or helping others at household activities. I do all I can to keep my children in school,” Daniela says.

Dolj County is one of the poorest in Romania. Poverty keeps children away from school mainly because parents cannot afford to pay for their children’s clothes, educational supplies or other necessary expenses. In this way children become adults too early, fighting poverty daily and letting education take second place:

“For daily survival some children start working the field along with their parents and abandon their studies.  I wish my children graduated school, had a better chance in life and manage by themselves in the future when I no longer be,” adds Daniela.

Catalin, the eldest son of the family, has followed his mother’s wish and has never given up school. Today he is a tenth grade student at seminary (orthodox) in the town. Even though he helps his mother with the household activities, takes care of animals and works the field, he always finds time for studying:

“Sometimes I did my homework late in the evening, but no matter how tired I was never missed classes,” says Catalin.  

At first glance, Catalin looks serious and shy, but as you start talking to him he reveals determination and self-control. He tells us that he chose to follow the seminary life because he wants to become a priest in the future. His big blue warm eyes transmit the emotion of his dream: “I would really like to be a priest in my village, to serve for the people I grew up with, that are my family.”   From his words, we find out that seminary life is full of acceptance, spiritual peace, fulfilment and hope:

“We wake up early in the morning and start the day with prayer. Then we go to mass and have classes. At noon we have time for meditation and also to prepare our homework. We end our day with different interactive activities and compline. We always feel God close to us and our work and this gives us the strength and conviction that we can fulfil our dreams,” Catalin shares.

His only concern about the seminary is that he may not be as good as he wants to be. “Here you meet different young people. There are many who come from towns and from families with financial possibilities. They are confident and well-dressed. I have only one pair of shoes that I wear at classes, when we go at different activities in the town, at sport activities and even when we need to present a paper before the teacher and should have a more serious outfit,” Catalin says.

For Catalin and his sister, Elena, the day they received the shoes was a very special one: “They fit so well with the clothes I need to wear at the seminary. I will no longer feel ashamed that my shoes are so outworn/mangy. I will keep them for the beginning of the new school year,” says Catalin with gratitude.    

Catalin's little sister, Elena, is a sixth grade student at the school in the village. She is passionate about Romanian and wants to continue her studies in the town as her brother, Catalin, did. The moment she received the shoes, her eyes revealed happiness: “Thanks a lot for them. I like them very much and they will be very helpful for me when the school starts,” says Elena.

Catalin and Elena are two out of 1,110 beneficiaries of the shoe distribution in World Vision partner communities in Dolj County. This initiative put joy and hope into their hearts as the beginning of the new school year is approaching.