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Preventing abandonment
Romania is one of the countries with the most orphans in the world. Statistics show that in 1997, around 100 000 children were left to their own devices in 600 orphanages. At the root of this catastrophic situation was President Ceaucescu's demographic and dictatorial policy which aimed to boost the birth rate and encourage state care for children. While child abandonment remains topical, the Romanian government has tried for several years to reform this terrifying system.
 
Changing attitudes
Since 1997, Children Action has been working to support abandoned children living in severe conditions in Romania. After completing several projects, we realisedthat the best course of action remains prevention.
Training program for staff in maternal centres
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Since 2003 Children Action has developed a training program for staff employed in maternity centres throughout the country. In 2003 and 2004, this training was officially recognised by the National Romanian Authority for the protection of children's rights.
In 2005/2006, the Romanian Government encouraged Children Action to register this program within the framework of a post-university training course in collaboration with the University of Timisoara. In 2006, Children Action was requested by the Romanian Department of Adoption to develop a specialized post-university training course, for their staff, dealing with adoption issues. This training, taught by Swiss and Romanian experts started in October 2006 and ended in January 2008.
In 2009, a handbook including the 11 modules of the training course was published by the Humanitas editions |
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Preventing abandonment by offering an alternative to institutionalisation
In November 2004, Children Action set up a service unit, Kairos, which works in close cooperation with both maternity centres and maternity hospitals in Romania.The unit assists young women in their maternal role, helping them to reintegrate both socially and professionally, and where possible to re-establish relationships with their family. Underlying this project is the notion that if the mother is allowed to stay with her baby in its first few months, the resulting bond will hopefully prevent her from abandoning her child. The following services are provided :
- legal, social and medical support
- psychological support
- workshop of art therapy
Kairos is recognised by the Romanian Government as “a social help centre”.
  
Encouraging results
Since 2004, 63 mothers and 71 children from low social and economic classes have been followed by Kairos.
Since 2003, 136 students have been attending trainings organised by Children Action.
In September 2008, the project has been audited by SGS (the world’s leading testing and verification company www.sgs.com ). Quality of the services offered to the mothers and babies, efficiency and ethics of the project, strategic framework, integrity of the staff, financial transparency, have been assessed. The project obtained a score of 98,1%, one of SGS’ strongest program results to date (see report here).
Cost
Operating cost of the service unit: CHF 120 000 (80 000 €) per year
Team
Supervision: Anne Spira, psychologist, Geneva
Local Project Leader: Catalina Radulescu, psychologist, Bucharest
Project Team Member: Monica Anghel, Bucharest
Psychologist : Alice Dinu, Bucharest
Social worker: Larisa Budeanu, Bucarest
Workshop: Lena Rusu, Bucarest
Web site : http://www.childrenaction.ro/
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