F.R.O.D.O. works in partnership with World Vision Romania on an Abandonment Prevention project in arguably the poorest area of Bucharest – Sector 5. This district has a bad reputation – as being one of the worst neighbourhoods in the City. World Vision believe there to be 60,000 children living in Sector 5 and out of this number, 600 live in residential institutions and about 2000 children are thought to be at risk of being abandoned.

Alongside World Vision we are providing support for mothers in critical situations – empowering them to keep their children. In collaboration with Bucharest NGOs, Child Protection authorities and the local maternity hospitals, we are helping to place children from residential institutions in families or in the surrounding community.

We realise that this is not always possible or appropriate and so if a child cannot be reintegrated into the immediate family he or she can be placed in a safe environment in either the extended family, or in the maternal shelter until such times as the mother is able to work and earn money to sustain her family and until the baby grows and can be placed in nursery care.

Living in poor conditions may not be ideal, but living within a loving family has to be better than being abandoned. Practical support both in the hospital and at home gives the whole family a chance to stay together. This programme also offers women an opportunity to make informed choices about contraception and teaches them about nutrition and healthcare for themselves and their families.

We aim to provide support and create community based services for families at risk, such as maternal shelter, as well as support for services for mothers within the community. The project provides a day care centre and services for children with disabilities. Through our partners we aim to ensure that vulnerable children and mothers at risk are given immediate attention and support from both the authorities and other charity partners.

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