Much of our work is proactive – preventing families from reaching the point where the children are institutionalised, and helping them to form a stable environment for the children to thrive in. One such family is the Bușecan family in Romania. Our Philanthropy and Partnerships Development Manager Samantha Kassir and Director of Global Programmes Pete Garratt met them and heard their story.
Sandra*, Siminia*, and Antonio* were born in Rome, where their parents and grandmother Mariana worked for several years. In 2020, the family returned to Romania, and Mariana offered to stay with the children so the parents could continue working abroad and provide financial support.
However, both parents became disengaged with their family and by January 2023, the mother had stopped all contact with her children. In May 2023, the father moved to Belgium, saying that he too no longer wished to care for the children, and providing no financial support.
Suddenly, three young children were left without active parental care.
Determined to keep her grandchildren together, Mariana rented an apartment and assumed full responsibility, despite having no steady income. The children’s other grandmother contributed what she could, but their combined resources were not enough to sustain a family. Rent, food, clothing, and medical expenses quickly became overwhelming. Without legal guardianship, there was also a real risk that the children could enter the protection system.
In this critical moment, the grandmother turned to Hope and Homes for Children Romania. Through our support, stability began to take shape. Their case worker Carmen became a true lifeline for the family – guiding the grandmother through complex legal procedures, helping her prepare the necessary documents for official placement, and offering steady encouragement during moments of fear and exhaustion.
While the legal process was underway, Hope and Homes for Children covered the rent and ensured the children had food, clothing, shoes, and access to medical care. This support protected the family from immediate crisis and gave them the chance to build something more secure.
In March 2024, the courts in Romania officially transferred parental rights to the grandmother, confirming the children’s placement in her care. The ruling brought immense relief. The siblings could remain together, safe in a loving home, without fear of separation.
This case demonstrates how timely intervention – combined with family determination and compassionate professional support – can prevent institutionalisation. Because one grandmother refused to give up, and because Carmen and Hope and Homes for Children stood beside her every step of the way, three children were able to stay where they belong: at home with family.
Samantha Kassir – Philanthropy and Partnerships Development Manager, Hope and Homes for Children.
Read more about our work in Romania.
*Names have been changed to protect identities
