Ovidiu was just a little boy about 10 years old. One night one of our Romanian staff members, Cristina, met him begging on the street and took him to get a bath and a meal. As she talked with him to find out his story, she insisted she would find a place for him at Orasul Sperantei (City of Hope). On the way, they walked through a park and Ovidiu was telling Cristina about his mother and how she made him beg, otherwise she had no time or concern for him. As he was watching other mothers with their children he told her he was never hugged and said, "She never cared to take me to the park as any other mother would..." His heart was full of resentment and abandonment. He felt unwanted, unloved and very sad.

Upon reaching Orasul Sperantei, they met Angie Thomson and Cristian Soimaru, our directors. Cristina told them Ovidiu's story, and though unprepared for another child, they decided to take him in. Ovidiu had some medical problems but appeared to be a very spirited, smart and intuitive child. Cristina says, "We saw in him the potential to be a lawyer!" Ovidiu accommodated well, but within a short amout of time his biological mother came and wanted him home (a shack in a very poor village). It was sad to see how he did not want to go but the police and his mother managed to prove they had the right to take him. While Cristian was dealing with the mother and the police, Ovidiu was telling Cristina, "Don't let her take me away...you promised to take care of me. I don't want to go...she will send me begging!!" After a period of time Ovidiu's mother showed up again at Orasul Sperantei, this time with his younger brother and 4-year-old sister. She realized she was destroying her children and could only offer them a lifetime of begging so she decided to send them to Orasul Sperantei.

Eight years have passed. Ovidiu is now in a loving "family home" with our same staff member, Cristina, who is married and Ovidiu is her "son". His biggest wish ever was to be in a family and now he is one of the "big brothers"! He is very bright and does well in his studies. Maybe he WILL be a lawyer one day!

One of our greatest joys is to see Ovidiu helping out at a local orphanage. He has been volunteering, working with the little boys, ages 4-7, and has done a great job! He has a great heart and truly loves the children. He is now reading books on how to raise children and this is helping him to become a caring, compassionate young adult. Ovidiu recently applied to a nearby McDonald's (a presitigious job in Romania!) and is now working there part-time.

Thank you to all who contribute and help Ovidiu and others gain a new life!