What’s the problem?
The legacy of the Soviet system is still strongly felt by people living with disabilities in many parts of Eastern Europe. This system routinely dismissed the capabilities of those with additional needs, and consigned many to living in institutions where these needs would not be met. Even today, community-based services for those with disabilities remain under-developed affecting whole families. A parent frequently has to give up work to provide care, meaning that many disabled people and their families live in poverty. Moldova is the second poorest country in Europe, which makes providing high quality support a challenge. The consequences are felt by disabled children who may have little or no access to eduation or the therapy they need to reach their potential. This exclusion from society has created a vicious circle: people with learning disabilities or special needs have low status and few opportunities to show what they are capable of. Only 26% of the population thinking they should be allowed to live in the community.
How do we help?
Now the situation is slowly changing thanks to NGOs that are at the forefront of helping families with children with special needs. We work with a few of these local charities to help them improve their skills, and provide therapy, support and a positive social network.
Dorintsa (The Wish)
If it is difficult for families with a disabled child to access help in Moldova, then it is more difficult in rural areas. Local charity, The Wish, runs a centre for disabled children and young people in Călărași, an hour from the capital. The leaders have a disabled child themselves and remain passionate about helping young disabled people reach their potential. Up to 25 children and young adults take part in a regular, personalised programme of therapy and eduation at the Centre. St Gregory’s is helping to fund this direct support to children, helping them improve their communication, literacy and life skills, their physical stamina and coordination. Just as importantly, the families become part of a supportive social group, where they can make friends and build confidence.
Copiii Ploii (Rain Kids)
This small Chișinău-based charity provides therapy for 20 children with special needs (diagnoses include Rett Syndrome, autism, Down syndrome. Asperger’s syndrome, and ADHD). The charity was set up by parents with disabled children, and has established a team of skilled therapists. The level of training provided by Moldovan universities is not high and finding professionals with up-to-date skills is difficult. St Gregory’s Foundation is investing in further training for Rain Kids’ staff, so that they can provide the highest quality of therapy enabling them to transform lives for the better.
ANO ‘Plaiul Soarelui’ (Sunny Corner)
Sunny Corner is a small community for families with a child with special needs. The community was set up by parents and volunteers and is wonderfully inclusive. It brings together 48 parents and 11 professional workers who provide comprehensive support to 37 children and young people aged 8 and older, with no age limit. Based on a small-holding in the village of Busheuca, there are many activities which the young people with learning difficulties can get involved in. The young people are encouraged to set up their own small businesses. Petya, for example, bakes cookies to a traditional recipe and sells them in the nearby town.
The community is also active in organising larger events aimed at raising the self-esteem of adults with learning difficulties and their profile in wider society. St Gregory’s has sponsored a ‘rally’, a two-day camp with activities laid on which groups from across Moldova were invited to. This was a real first in the country. We also sponsored their annual ball, which this year involved 120 guests, adults with learning difficulties, their parents and teachers from across Moldova, Romania and Ukraine. This year, the ball featured on national TV and also helped fundraise towards Sunny Corner buying the farm-house where they are based. They currently have to raise just £18,200 to reach their target.
