Against poverty in Romania
Better living conditions for Romanian families
Poverty, hunger and extremely primitive living conditions are not just limited to far-off developing countries. In Romania, which joined the European Union at the start of 2007, individual population groups still live under catastrophic conditions. In the Southern Romanian town of Carensebes the living conditions of many families in the poorer parts of this town with 30,000 inhabitants are catastrophic. Many live in wooden huts fit for demolition or containers.
Day centres for children in the Romanian town of Caransebes
The humanitarian involvement of the Franciscan nuns of Salzkotten in Romania began as early as the start of the 20th Century. After the Ceausescu era they had a special wish to arouse a sense of hope in people after all the bad experiences and the ongoing economic problems, to fill them with a new sense of self-esteem and to show them how much inner strength they actually have. Since 1992 the sisters have run a day centre in Caransebes for children from socially deprived and large families. The children are given food and toiletries here. At the same time, the children receive educational support. This help is supplemented with active work with parents in order to encourage family household duties such as washing, clothing and cooking.
Support from the Peter Ustinov Foundation
The support provided to the Franciscan sisters by the Peter Ustinov Foundation specifically focuses on the existing children’s day centre so that it can give a greater number of children from the town a perspective of a better life. For the Roma children in Carensebes, in particular, this care centre is the only way they will have any quality of life. Every year Jupp Steinbusch’s Aachen Pinocchio children’s circus stops at Carensebes during his tour.
The Peter Ustinov Foundation becomes involved in this and further projects to benefit children in need and their families. Please join us in our humanitarian project and give children a future with hope.
> Further information at: www.franziskanerinnen -salzkotten.de
