Moldova and Transdnistria

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Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe and has a large foreign debt. Many families have been unable to adapt to the social and economic changes that have followed independence from the former Soviet Union.

In Soviet times, the family came to rely on the state for many basic services, and the lack of family support services has resulted in an increase in the number of institutionalised children.

Transdnistria is a self-proclaimed republic and is not recognised internationally.

In 2000 a journalist alerted the Western media to the plight of 54 special needs girls in Transdnistria. They were living in appalling conditions in a large neuro-psychological hospital called the Bender Institution.

The public outcry was strong and because of our expertise in de-institutionalisation, we were invited into Transdnistria to help the children. Hope and Homes for Children has special access to work in Transdnistria and is the only childcare organisation currently operating in the country.

Moldova
There are between 12,000 and 17,000 children in state institutions throughout Moldova. The institutions are chronically under funded and understaffed, with staff to child ratios as low as 1:50. Children are left in cots, displaying classic symptoms of institutionalisation - continuous rocking motion, repetitive behaviour, malnutrition and physical and mental developmental delays.

Our project in Moldova has mainly focused on advocacy for children's rights, creating new family homes and supporting existing ones. Our foster care programmes offer an alternative to institutional care and provide a loving, stimulating environment in which children and young people can fulfil their potential.

Transdnistria
We are now in the final stages of closing down the Bender Institution and moving all of the girls out of the awful and completely inadequate conditions they have been living in.

Some of the girls will be relocated to small family homes which will provide a loving, stimulating environment and enable them to reach their full potential. Other girls will live in a new Rehabilitation and Resource Centre which we have recently renovated and adapted.

The Centre will provide a short-term alternative to institutional care whilst their long-term individual needs are assessed. The Centre will offer services such as remedial therapy and medical care as well as love and attention. Additionally, it will provide support to local families with children who have special needs, thereby helping to prevent child abandonment.