Abandoned in an orphanage, Lizuca’s* life changed forever when she was adopted by Ecaterina* and her family.
When she found out that her daughter had Down’s Syndrome, Lizuca’s* mother didn’t know what to do. She was so afraid of the difficulties and challenges that she might face, she ended up making the heartbreaking decision to leave her in the maternity ward in a hospital.
She ended up spending the first three years of her life in an orphanage in Moldova. Lizuca was overwhelmed whenever the staff at the orphanage changed, she felt unsafe and had development delays. Lizuca didn’t know what it was like to be cared for or loved. She had never been hugged. She didn’t know what a family was.
When she was three years old, Lizuca’s life changed forever when she was placed into foster care. She liked it so much more than being trapped in the orphanage, but eventually the family fostering her couldn’t look after her anymore.
That’s when Ecaterina and her husband stepped in.
“Something extraordinary happened between us. She just decided to trust us. She hugged us and we hugged her back, and I became her mother in that moment.” – Ecaterina
Ecaterina adopted Lizuca and became her new mother. For the first time she knew the warmth of a real home and a loving family.
Surrounded by love and new brothers and sisters, Lizuca thrived. She loved playing with other children and made great progress at the village kindergarten, learning to count, recognise colours and expand her vocabulary.
Lizuca was eventually adopted into her new family, and her joy was endless, knowing that finally she had a real, permanent family like other children. She knew that now this amazing thing really was forever.
Today, Lizuca is happy at home and in school. She loves to draw, make puzzles and play with her dolls. When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, Lizuca confidently replies:
“I want to be a princess!”
How our supporters made Lizuca’s story possible
Thanks to the kindness of our supporters, our team in Moldova were able to play a crucial role in helping Lizuca become the happy, hopeful child she is today. We:
- Provided Lizuca’s new parents with foster family training, and supported Lizuca’s initial integration into the family.
- Worked with the residential institution Lizuca and other children up to the age of six are placed, educating the staff there and raising awareness of the devastating effects of institutionalisation.
- Provided financial support to the foster family Lizuca was placed with when she left the orphanage.
- Continue to provide Lizuca with support and assistance to take on the challenges she faces.
We provided in-service training for the family, and involved the family and Lizuca in socio-emotional and fun activities where she met other children and learned new things in a fun way.
Your support today can help more children like Lizuca find loving families who’ll protect and care for them. If you’re able to, please donate and help us get the 5.4 million children currently in trapped in orphanages Back to Family.
* Names have been changed to protect identities.
