Children growing up in poverty in Romania face many challenges – from having to raise their own siblings or manage a household from too young an age – to living in situations that are harmful to their development.
Sorin is an 11-year-old boy with six siblings. His family live in deep poverty in a house located far from the village. The house has only two rooms, both with dirt floors, and no bathroom or toilet.
There are high levels of unemployment where Sorin’s family live, with his parents picking up seasonal jobs in agriculture when they can – but also frequently going abroad to find work.
Sorin and his siblings are left at home alone when his parents are working, and as the eldest,
Sorin takes care of the little ones.
The family has been enrolled on Mission Without Borders’ family sponsorship programme, and last summer, Sorin was invited along to the Mission’s summer camp.
Constantin, the MWB staff member who works with the family, said, “Sorin is a very sweet, respectful boy. He comes from a very poor family and Child Protection has placed his eldest sister in foster care; she now lives with another family. Sorin’s parents don’t have much education. They’re not married, and their relationship isn’t always great.
“It’s very difficult to find work in the area they’re in. For a few years, the father battled alcohol addiction. He’s doing much better now, but he’s still not completely over it yet.
“The family’s living area and outbuildings are in a terrible state and not a good place for children to live. The family keep pigs as livestock and sometimes the pigs even go into the house to find shelter.”
The summer camp Sorin attended was held in Poarta Oilor, Alba County, ringed by green forest and hills and sunflower fields. Like the other children, who also come from backgrounds of poverty, Sorin was amazed by all the comfort and activities at summer camp.