Mining Area - Romania

We were in a city located in the mining area of Romania. The industry was shut down and more than 80% of the people here were unemployed. These highrise building were built to house the miners families, but were never finshed. The top several floors were open to the elements unless someone could scrap up some materials and windows to enclose them. The elevators and heating system were never completed. You can see one of the building had just about everything that could be removed, removed.

We stopped and these 2 young children approached us, interested about what we were doing there. We talked with them about their lives, their interests. We saw their mother watching and called her over to ask if it was Ok to give her children some money to buy themselves something, and she got mad because she first thought we were wanting more from her children then to give them something. Why would strangers want to give her children something. The only reason she could think of was they wanted something in exchange. Our interpreter talked to her and told her of the help we were doing for the Romanian poor and asking nothing in exchange. She found this surprising and agreed. We gave each about $3.00 cdn dollars (it would to equal to about $30.00 cdn dollars in North America), you should have seen the expressions on their faces, priceless. Well! the boy leap into the air - his face full of expression of joy. They thanked us and ran off to tell their friends then head to a convenience store. We delivered a partial container full of goods to an Elementry school and a Seniors care home in the area, with much needed items. Thanks to Rotary International for all their support.

To understand the situation, the country had been under the control of a Dictator. The people were kept poor while only the few in control lived a life of luxury. Ownership of land was taken away. The government built these apartments, many never completed but under sub-standard conditions the people were forced to live. Since the fall of the reign in 1989 many things have improved but there still remains a high percentage of poor. Socialism did not work and still does not work. People have to have a HOPE.