Projects...

Leeds, England registered UK Charity No.1087961
Kingsport, USA charitable non-profit # 86-0957704
Oradea, Romania registered Charity No.14839712

 
...making smiles in Romania

   homepage
   projects
   mission trips
   support  
   wish list
   fundraising events
   news
   prayer and praise
   organisation
   contact details
   smiles reports
   Nia's Ministry
   links
   search
   disclaimer
  

Cihei Family Centre:
Crisis Care Project

Not many would suggest August 2009 was a great time to launch a new project. In the midst of a World Financial Crisis like never experienced before, one could well argue the common sense of ‘waiting till better times’ before starting a new project.

Unfortunately ‘NEEDS’ do not stop because of Financial Crisis.

Actually, our experience in The Smiles Foundation is that ‘NEEDS’ seem to increase during such difficult times. The challenge for us is to respond with faith because of God’s Love and Compassion – regardless of the difficulties – and this is what we have done!

Having decided in May to expand the services of our former ‘Cihei Children’s Centre’ to include ‘Family Needs’ – we were able to accommodate our first mother and two children.

Ramona had experienced severe difficulties in life. With two beautiful children, she wanted to stop working on the streets but without agreement from her partner, she felt she had no option than to continue – She had NO HOPE.  Ramona contacted Smiles and asked if we could help if she left her partner? She couldn’t face being homeless with 2 young children. Smiles offered shelter and security at the new Family Centre. Mother and children, Ioana & Camelia are doing great.

As a result of the continuing good relationship with the State Child Protection department, at the beginning of August we were asked if we could help with a young mother who was Homeless and her new born baby. We were not really so ready for that, but God provided in miraculous ways.

As we reflected on this situation and ‘need’, we were reminded that one year ago, in formulating our Smiles 200 Hope Club, we had committed to establishing at some point in the future, a Crisis Care Project for young mothers.  We hadn’t planned it for now and ‘now’ seemed the worse possible time to try establishing anything new. But – it was, without doubt, a desperate need. A Homeless woman with a new born baby. Her only option was to have the State take the baby into institutional care while she returned to the Streets. The Romanian State offered no alternative. NO HOPE.

The Smiles Foundation always has HOPE, because our Hope is in Christ. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us “God is able to do more than we can ask or imagine”

So, we responded in Faith – offering HOPE to Eva and baby Sebastian. They came to us from the Hospital, after an infection was treated, and 23 year old Eva and 10 day Sebastian settled in well.

Then we had some practicalities to deal with! Rooms needed painting which Mission Trippers helped with and some new furnishings were purchased. Director of the Centre, Georgi Opreanu and Social Worker, Mioara Tarau had to take initial responsibility from August 10th when the new family arrived. Then we had to pray for additional staffing support! Once again, God performed a miracle.

Since the beginning of this new venture, God had led and provided. Many mothers and young children, some not yet born, has found HOPE and SECURITY in the Smiles Family Care Centre in Cihei.

This new project has considerable costs associated with it. Please help us to provide the HOPE these people need and enable us to provide an opportunity to rebuild their lives according to God’s Plan.

Thank you for your prayers and support.           

    Page last updated on 04/01/2011 04:12:00 PM
   by ADMIN1

   Designed by CHWD

© 2011 The Smiles Foundation, All rights reserved