Maria’s commitment to her children remained unshaken, despite the devastating loss of a newborn daughter and, more recently, a son to cancer. “His life was full of sorrows,” she remembers. “His wife and one of his two children had also passed away.” Throughout her life, Maria faced relentless challenges. She often fell asleep while breastfeeding her babies, exhausted from working multiple jobs for meager pay. “I used to work wherever I could find work,” she says. “Sometimes, I was paid in food or essentials, which was invaluable during Communist times.”
Despite her tireless efforts, Maria’s work as an informal cleaner for the village school went unregistered, leaving her without a pension. Now, she survives on a minimal disability allowance of 70 Euros a month after a serious accident years ago. “Maybe it’s because I never got along well with the school director,” she speculates about her difficult working conditions. “She wanted me to work for her personally without pay, and when I refused, she made things difficult for me.”
Maria lives in a small, run-down house with no running water or modern amenities, sharing it with her husband and an adult son with chronic respiratory issues. Her son’s condition requires regular use of an oxygen mask, compounding the family’s struggles. “I don’t need much. I only ask God for health and for the wisdom to understand and live out the Word,” Maria says. Her possessions are sparse: two beds, a table, a small TV, and a stove. Despite her own health problems, including diabetes and leg pain, Maria remains stoic. “I thank God I can still walk, although I’m very slow,” she adds. “I don’t want to be bedridden and make life hard for someone having to care for me.”
Maria’s marriage has long been marred by conflict. She describes their relationship as “a very intense novel,” marked by ongoing disagreements and emotional strain. “I have learned to keep my mouth shut to avoid fueling more conflicts,” she explains. Yet, despite these personal struggles, Maria finds solace in her Christian faith. After witnessing a miraculous recovery of a sick grandson, she decided to embrace Christianity. “My faith is the only thing I never want to lose,” she asserts.
Support from Mission Without Borders has been a lifeline for Maria. Staff member Daniel visits regularly, bringing essential food and hygiene items and providing much-needed emotional support. “Every bit of support I receive from the Mission is so important to me,” Maria says gratefully. “The cooking oil I get is such a blessing. I can share it with my daughter, who cooks for us, and it makes me feel I am contributing something.”
Maria’s story underscores the severe poverty many elderly Romanians face, a situation exacerbated by the harsh realities of their past. Many elderly people live in similar conditions, struggling to survive on meager pensions while facing isolation and extreme living conditions. Mission Without Borders is dedicated to providing critical support to these vulnerable individuals. To help more people like Maria, consider making a donation today. Your support can provide essential relief and hope to those enduring profound challenges.
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