Why Moldova
Moldova is an Eastern European country that was a Republic of the Soviet Union until gaining its independence in 1991. It had previously been a part of the Kingdom of Romania. Moldova is landlocked, bordered by Romania and Ukraine. Moldova is the poorest country in Europe, and its population of 3.5 million are largely senior citizens and children, including orphans and social orphans.
Young adults leave Moldova to find work in other parts of Europe, or in Russia or the United States, and unfortunately, many leave their children behind as orphans. It is common for children to be abandoned on porches, churchyards, or on the streets. Orphans are routinely subjected to beatings, abuse and other cruelties. Teenage girls are sold into slavery and prostitution abroad as trafficking is prevalent in Moldova.
Tragically, most teenagers completing their secondary education have little or no hope of further education, job skill training, or meaningful employment. Many become trapped in a life of drugs, alcohol and crime. These orphans are easily lured by traffickers into prostitution or slave labor. Our goal is to break this cycle and change the lives and futures of these orphans.
