Archived Newsletters:

The following is a quote from a member of our Hope Rescue Center team. In their own words, they describe what it is like to work day in and day out on the streets and in the sewers and tunnels of Bucharest: “A big part of our time is spent on the streets with homeless children and young adults. This work can be dangerous, but the desire to help those in need is stronger causing us to put all other considerations into second place. We approach the children as genuine friends, no matter where they live (on the streets, in the train station, inside abandoned buildings or under the streets in the sewers) — anywhere our friends try to find shelter. We usually have to spend a lot of time building up trust and making our aims clear so that they understand us. It is essential that we win their trust and respect.

We have known some of the children for many years now. We found them on the streets when we arrived and the thought of leaving them on the streets hurts us. Everyone has the right to a chance at life—it is wrong to give them up as being  ‘lost’  or  ‘hopeless’.
Many times we are asked where these kids come from, what they are doing on the streets and why a solution is not found for them…each child has their own story. What they all have in common is that on the altar of the streets most of them have sacrificed their childhood. Some of them come from good families (though not very many) but most of them come from poor and dysfunctional families. Many of them have no family at all.

Our goal is to build strong, friendly relationships with these children based on trust and respect, to be close to them and to have a real and positive impact on their lives. We are also trying to identify and meet real and urgent needs without feeding an addictive mentality and without transforming them into a ‘social case’. Based on a personal file, a social investigation (background check) and any other information we can obtain, we look for real solutions to reintegrate them back into society and to address their needs.“

Our Hope Rescue Center staff works tirelessly day and night with children and families who society has labeled as “outcasts” or “beyond hope”. One of our staff commented that “mostly, the street children are ignored and considered part of the décor of the streets as long as they don’t bother anyone. Sometimes we are accused of encouraging vagabond lifestyles and of wasting our time on ‘ragamuffins’. Few believe us when we tell them we are here because we care.” Thank you so much for your commitment to this organization. Your support is a sign that you, too, care for those who have no one to care for them. May God bless your giving!

With Gratitude,
Angie Thomson
Staff and Children
of Orasul Sperantei