Romania: Violeta's Story

Violeta was nine years old when she was brought to an orphanage in Romania (orphanages before the 1989 revolution which freed the Romanians, were all institutions of Communist tyranny). She describes it at best as nothing but a nightmare. It was supposed to be a safe place, a warm place but it was anything but.

The caregivers beat the children. They had no reason to and to this day Violeta still has no understanding as to why. There was little food or no food at all. The children were given cold showers and slept on the floor without blankets. If a child dared to complain, punishment came swiftly. Violeta had many illnesses while living in the orphanage and today still has a hard time walking as she suffers from a hernia near the spine.

When she turned 18 Violeta had to leave the orphanage. She had no money, no shelter and, of course, no family. She found a job cleaning houses but she still found herself sleeping out on the cold streets of Romania. Violeta found a small hidden garden—a place away from danger. There she slept each night after she left work. Every night she cried. She longed for the love of her parents. Nothing made sense to her. Everything around her seemed empty and ugly.

But one day she was asked to clean a beautiful home. It was obvious that the owners were very wealthy. As she was cleaning she found a card. The picture on the card drew her. She asked her boss, “Who is that man? His face is so gentle.”

He answered. “That is Jesus.”

Violeta remembered when her grandmother used to tell her about this man, Jesus. The next day the man she worked for gave her a Bible. She started to read it every day. Somebody did love her and furthermore, this someone – Jesus – sacrificed everything for her. He died for her. Life suddenly made sense. He exchanged her past with a beautiful life.

Violeta’s life changed when she let Jesus weave His plan into her life. She met a wonderful man who she later married. Many blessings came into her life including her daughter, Beattrice and son, Alin.

These days Violeta works with her good friend, Sjikke. They are like sisters and together they work to bring a little bit of joy to the poor children of Romania.




Romania  stichting Groningen Friesland Drenthe voor Roemenie Charities

Sjikke and Violeta work with about 35 poor childern (some are orphans)
and their families in Romania.

The children range from 1 year old to 14 years old. 

The foundation that Sjikke is working for is in Holland so their site is in Dutch. I'll check but I didn't see a site translator. I can translate for you if you like, just let me know which part. Click here to go to their website.