A Child's Vision of the World

This 7 year old Boy, named "Cristian Bradu" shows incredible talents. His creative style and understanding of shadows and depth-of-field are impressive. I pray I can find someone who can help provide continual materials and training so that the children may sell their goods, towards the goal of establishing a savings scheme, or helping to reduce the hunger in their family. Many of these families are quite literally starving and freezing to death.

For Cristian, he paints 'only when he feels he is being told to in his heart.' But what is most amazing is that Cristian paints to raise money for his younger sister who requires constant medication for a life-threatening illness.

The Village of Budesti

The village of Budesti lies about 20km outside of Chisinau. The local mayor is Nina Costiuc. She remains the one and only democratic mayor in a heretofore Communist country. From the moment you arrive in Budesti, it is clear that her dedication is to the children's future.

Mayor Costiuc has been a virtual one-woman band, working tirelessly to reach out wherever she could, to find help for her village. Such has been her success that in the recent elections Nina was again voted as mayor, with a percentage of 96% of the village voting for her! And when I arrived in this poverty stricken village I immediately saw why.

The road leading into Budesti is similar to any country's roads that may lead out and past farmlands. The road is paved, but only barely. There are no markings on the roads, and without the benefit of daylight, you place your life at risk driving there.

Part of the village rests upon the side of either a large hill, or small mountain. If your intent is not to see the village, you could easily miss it, except for the view of the spires of the basilica in the distance. But as you approach the village you'll notice something quite unusual. On the left is a large, new, clean two-story structure, painted in a bright magnolia colour. Directly across the street is another structure that resembles a country one-level ranch house or cottage.

The structure on the left is a community centre. I am chagrined to say that, in England, we wouldn't have anything this nice for a town of 30,000 people, much less for a village of 5,000! Across from the community centre is the single-shell cottage, which has been built with the hope of becoming a medical centre for the village. Neither of these buildings has any contents. But nevertheless, the structures are there.

This came about as a result of Nina's tireless campaign in writing almost anyone she could to ask for help in revitalising her village. They have worked diligently to address some of the specific needs of the village such as: schooling for the large number of handicapped children, community transport for people securing work in the city of Chisinau, and inviting local programmes for the young people of the village.

It is a credit to the mayor as well as to the people of Budesti that they have a beautiful structure to help serve as the foundation of a life-changing opportunity. But now the next step is essential to help save and change lives.

I met with many villagers in their homes. Many were ashamed of the poverty in which they lived and it burdened my heart to even ask if I could take photos; I know they would have agreed, but I wanted to protect their dignity.

Many of the homes are without electricity, water, heat of any sort, other than pieces of coal that may be donated by other villagers. In some of these shacks, people sleep three and four together in order to keep from freezing to death at night. Toilets, gas or propane, television, etc., are unheard of. And when you speak to the young people who live in these conditions, their dreams are profoundly different.

One sixteen year-old girl told me that her first dream was to have a floor! She said this as we stood on the uneven dirt floor of the shack she shared with her sisters. Her "Biggest Dream" was to have someone teach her how to cut hair. She wanted to learn a skill so that she could get a job and bring money home to her family.

I innocently asked her if she had a boyfriend. My question caused a torrent of response. No, she didn't have a boyfriend, but there are "men," (as she squenched up her face to show disgust), "who come by all the time and say they can introduce her to wealthy boyfriends who will be nice to her and take care of her and help her with her family." And then she continued; "but they are like the other men who come to the village and say they will give me a job and I can make lots of money being a hostess at clubs that rich people come to." And at that she looked me in the eye and asked if "these clubs are nice,yes?" I gather it was her assumption that all people from the west go to clubs to meet girls.

Mayor Nina told me that she had spent considerable time trying to warn and teach the young people about the predators that rove the villages in search of innocents and vulnerables. And the young girl nodded in agreement. But she then said, almost wistfully, as if in disagreement with the mayor, "but some of them are nice. they bring us things - food, candy, gifts, and they don't ask for anything - ever!" And this, of course, is part of the problem, when the villages face groomers who work on these children and hit them at their most vulnerable moments.

If you are not familiar with the Eastern Orthodox Church, it represents the pinnacle of village life. I spent a considerable amount of time with the village priest. I instantly liked him and we got along well. And although I am fully versed in my understanding of his following, as well as his communal requirements, I always ask the same question, of every Orthodox Priest I come to meet; How many times a month do you visit your parish members, and how much is your budget each month to help your parish communicants. This time, Fr. Vladimir's response was different than what I typically experience in Romanian villages.

Fr. Vladimir put his head down, as if in shame. He paused for a moment then looked at me and said: "It is different, I do not see people. They must come to church. I do not give money. They must give money. It is different." He then, again, put his head down. The mayor turned to Fr Vladimir and asked him "Why is it different? Same God? Why Fr Vladimir?" He looked up and responded to Nina by saying "because we are poor." Nina didn't let go, " The poor visit the poor, it does not require money." At that, Fr Vladimir clapped his hands is if to make the conversation go away and told me he was taking me to the cemetery - I imagine he was either hoping to just bury the conversation, but possibly me along with it!

We desperately need your help, please: I am not asking for anything too costly, or complex. But your actions can not change just one person's life, but an entire community.

I am not being a "do-gooder" in asking for things which I feel will help, but I am responding specifically to what the children have asked for:

We need, please:

A Hairdressing School
Chairs, sinks, carts, curlers, mixes, virtually everything to create a school for a minimum of six-10 hairdressers at a time. This school will not be for just the village of Budesti, but will also bring young people from adjoining villages. By gaining these skills, the young will be able to travel into Chisinau to gain jobs.

A Sewing School
Sewing Machines, bobbins, threads, materials, patterns, etc. I need a minimum of six electric sewing machines that we can use to create a sewing school. By creating this school, the young people will be able to make their own clothes and help their community. The goods they make can be sold to buy food and heat.

Computers
I need up-to-date computers, preferably with modems and a router, to allow distance-learning courses in a wide-range of classes, from home-care to travel. Please can you help? I would also love to have a satellite to use for connections to the internet.

Library
This may be one of the greatest challenges of all. I need books, lots of them, but the first preference is that they be written in Romanian! This was a particular request by the mayor.

Transport
If I can find a small bus, that meets EU standards, the village will be able to provide transport to-and from schools, into the city, and especially provide meals for outreach programmes for the elderly. It needn't be anything fancy, just basic, simple transport, perhaps one of the used coaches that collect passengers at airports to take them to their hire cars, or hotels. Truthfully, I need two coaches; I desperately need one in Chisinau.

Finally, within these groups of images, there is one small photo of a young lady with her cousin. Her name is Nathalia Procu. She is the daughter of the woman who was killed last Christmas. Nathalia is the "shining star" of her village. She has recently earned a civil law degree and the village have all joined hands to help her with transport to work, because they not only honoured her mother so much, but they have faith that Nathalia will be able to help change their village's future.

I am trying to find a job for Nathalia in England or America. Prefereably the role might be in the legal profession, or possibly tourism. Nevertheless, I have a handfull of recommendations for her. Anything you might be able to do to help, would be greatfully appreciated. Personally, I feel that Nathalia can make quite a contribution to your organisation. Her spoken English is good and according to her boss in the Ministry of Tourism, Nathalia is one of their finest employees. I would say, truthfully, she needs some help in her writing English.

As you can see from this, I have not been shy to ask for many things. I need your help, desperately. There are numerous projects at hand currently, but this is one of the larger ones. But I believe that there is someone out there who is just waiting to be touched.

Is it you?

My photos are a bit in reverse. If you want to follow the story better, it may be best if you begin from the bottom. Thank you for caring enough to read this. Thank you from my heart.

If you are able to help I would be honoured to introduce you to the organisations that will help facilitate the necessary paperwork, visas, invitations, etc. Your act of care and compassion can make a difference for many lives and you may be part of the experience.

Father Bill+Budesti

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moldova prisons Finding Words Of Comfort

The Children's Story

Visit Our Children

The Best Waitress In The World

Anglican Prayers

The Hopes of Youth

During my first morning's visit, Mayor Costiuc invited me to come back to the village that evening to speak with the young people. I told her that I would enjoy this, but I had other committments and couldn't say exactly when I would arrive. She said it didn't matter and that they would all wait for me.

My evening was very full as I visited other areas of need and due to the late time, I almost had to phone the mayor to say I couldn't come due to the time. But I felt committed to attend. You can't imagine my shock when I arrived to find literally hundreds of young people there, patiently waiting for me! They were happily chatting, but they had refused to leave in the hopes of getting to talk about their village and their needs. The children reminded me of the strengths I rely upon so often when I face sights that touch me to the depths of my soul.

Sometimes my faith becomes tested, but I never lose hope. It is that "Hope" that drives me and, quite admittedly, saves me at times. And the children here that evening all demonstrated their hope that I would come and listen.

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The Childrens Story Visit Our Children Exploited Children

Anglican Prayers AnglicansAnglican Thoughts

Young People of Budesti

As the mayor introduced me, there was absolute silence. I gazed out into the hall at these hundreds of young people; all of them, virtually all of them, were clean cut, presentable, smiling, and obviously keenly interested in participating. I had nothing tangible to bring them. But the power of hope was an unbelievably powerful driving force.

They spoke with me, sharing what they hoped for for their futures. As I listened though, I noticed that not one of the ideas mentioned to me was an individual hope, moreso, it was a hope or dream for the entire village.

These young people asked for training and education: The girls wanted to learn hairdressing skills, sewing skills, art, and medical skills. The boys wanted to learn electronics, computers, nursing care, social services, to drive cars, install telegraph equipment, use heavy equipment, drive buses, etc. Many of these requests can easily be fulfilled by people from the west with their discarded and used equipment.

The Local Priest

This is Father Vladimir. He is the Orthodox priest for the village. Whilst he and I get along well, he is clearly nervous about the concepts of ecumenism.

Fr. Vladimir does not visit anyone in his parish; they are required to come to him at the Basilica. Fr Vladimir has never once in his life helped anyone in the village financially; the villagers must give money to the church. The church has never, ever, contributed to the village; the village MUST support the church! And the list goes on.

However, despite this, the Orthodox Church holds great power over the community and it is essential to work "with" the local priest and nurture him to ensure that he constantly feels as if he is in control of a situation. Several years ago there were some clashes over a visiting Baptist missionary, who, unfortunately, created a bit of a stir.

Subsequently, the missionary was invited to leave. It's my feeling that had the missionary invested in building relationships first, and had demonstrated respect and understanding towards the mother church, many things could have been accomplished to help the community.

But sadly, many of these lessons are gained from years of experience. I found Fr Vladimir helpful and open to working with me in any way he could to help the community.

Their Mother is Dead and They Are Alone

The mayor asked that I try to help this particular family. The mother died last year, leaving five children behind. There is no husband - he died six years ago. The boy suffers from mental illness and is unable to make any contribution to the family.

The two girls in the image work in their garden, but it's virtually impossible to grow anything in the winter. Both girls are ashamed to come to the community centre because they are so poor. But most alarmingly, the girl on the right told me and the mayor that the "visitor" comes at night to tell her that she can have lots of money, a nice home, and money to send home, if she comes with him to work as a "hostess" in a restaurant.

She said that sometimes women come with the men and tell her that she is pretty can can be a model also. This barrage is constant in these villages. Every single month, despite the continued warnings of the mayor and other villagers, a child will disappear, never to be seen again.

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The Childrens Story Visit Our Children Exploited Children

When We're Needed Most

Anglican Prayers Anglicans Anglican Thoughts

We Need Sewing Machines!

Sewing machines! I heard pleas for sewing machines and materials from more young people than any other item. The girls told me they could make clothes for their families, and they could make goods to sell. But there are only two ancient manual machines in the village; one of them barely works.

I would love to have a complete sewing class for the girls and women of the village. Even boys expressed interest, which I gathered to be part of their determination to help feed their families in any way they could.

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Big World Small Boat

The Good Samaritan

The Mayor And Her Community Centre

This community centre was funded by a grant from Germany. The local mayor worked diligently to bring awareness of the povertry and unusual number of young people in the village. It is an impressive building, but unfortunately, is completely empty. I desperately, please, need your help to create small education programmes for the young people of this village.