Children in Distress, a British-Romanian charity has invited its supporters to pen “a chapter of solidarity” and show how working together “creates lasting messages that transcend time and space.”
It is often said that we never forget the hand that taught us to write. Writing is the enduring legacy we inherit, with the profound purpose of transmitting our collective wisdom and personal experiences to future generations, transcending time and geographical boundaries to unite communities and preserve our stories, the charity said on Thursday, International Handwriting Day.
The charity which has been active in Romania for 35 years said it plans its first major initiative this year on February 27, the internationally recognized Rare Disease Day.
The cornerstones of the Children in Need Foundation’s work are solidarity and shared purpose, something that was in evidence during the holiday season when the community in Romania and partners around the world, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States, came together to create a welcoming atmosphere that every child deserves, especially those in need.
The holiday season turned into a magical experience, with the support of the foundation’s friends. Students from the Little Genius School crafted reinterpreted Christmas trees featuring the charity’s signature orange color, a symbol of optimism . Some middle school students and their teachers, led by Project Manager Dr. Laura Goran, brought their talents to the initiative. The trees were displayed in NEXT stores across Bucharest’s shopping centers: AFI Cotroceni, Băneasa, Promenada, and Mega Mall. There were bids on the trees which were then taken home, but everyone celebrated the joy and fundraising that will go towards building the charity’s greatest dream, the House among the Trees.
Under the “Be a Volunteer from a Young Age” initiative, Beirut School joined this universal chain of solidarity and generosity, by organizing an orange stand at the school’s Christmas Fair. All funds raised from the sale of the orange gadgets were also sent to the House among the Trees project. La Casa Maria welcomed carolers and distinguished guests over the holiday period.
In total, there were 450 “good elves” volunteering for the cause. In a statement, CID thanked supporters, including George Topârceanu School, Luna Association, Caterpillar, Muntenia Offroad Club, ONOR Association, Noi facem Association, Grija de aripi Association, Șerban Vodă Church, Mihai Eminescu High School in Călărași, 1 Decembrie Middle School, Sintești Church, Father Jarco, and the Oracle team.
In true festive spirit, the foundation also enjoyed playing the role of Santa Claus, receiving and processing gift donations from partners in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany. These gifts, specially packaged in shoe boxes by donor families, were strategically distributed across 25 Romanian communities who are facing significant challenges. The foundation distributed over 5,000 Christmas gifts to 25 Romanian communities, in Bucharest and other counties.
Children from the communities of Ferentari, Drumul Găzarului, Crângasi, Valea Brazilor village, Argeș, Soldanu commune – Negoiești, Ilfov, Gura Șuții – Dâmbovița, Palanca village, Giurgiu, Svinița commune – Mehedinți, children from the Marie Curie Children’s Emergency Clinical Hospital and of course those from the CID centers St. Christopher and Casa Maria.
Some of the gifts were distributed with the help of the DGASMB, the Archdiocese of Bucharest, the Polizu Maternity Parish, the Popești Leordeni Social Assistance Directorate, the St. George the Great Martyr Catechetical Center – Progresu parish, the Church of the Covering of the Virgin Mary and St. John Rusu, the Sintești parish, the Peter and Paul Parish – Belvedere Church.
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Reflecting on past holiday achievements, CID has a critical challenge in the coming year: starting the House of Trees in Zărnești—Romania’s pioneering respite center dedicated to supporting disadvantaged families with children who have severe or incurable medical diagnoses.
The Children in Distress Foundation has invited Mihai Badea, a major swimming champion, to convey its the message. On February 27, on Rare Disease Day, he will launch his memoirs. Guests will find out how the dream of crossing Lake Powell, an adventure dedicated to CID, was born, as well as what adventures lie ahead.
“Every word I write to you carries with it my gratitude for your support, for the encouragement and help you have offered me over time. Thanks to you, we are now taking a huge step together: we are starting the construction of the House Between the Trees in Zărnești, a center that will bring hope and comfort to families with children facing difficult diagnoses. Everything I have experienced so far has profoundly transformed me; I recently wrote down the stages of this transformation, so that soon you will be able to read about them in my book “The Teachings of Water. The History of a Deep Transformation”. It is the story of the lessons that water has given me about courage, about limits and overcoming them, about friendship and the power to find meaning in the hardest moments. It is my story, but in it you will also find a part of you – those who have always been by my side. I look forward to seeing you at the end of February to share these lessons together!” Says Mihai Badea.
For 35 years, CID has been running assistance and protection programs for several categories of children: with disabilities, with terminal chronic illnesses, infected with HIV/AIDS, children at risk of family and school abandonment. In all these years, the foundation has been “HOME” for hundreds of children abandoned in the hospital by their own family because they were born with serious disabilities.
VIDEO | Romanian swimmer completes epic 80-mile swim for Children in Distress charity
