The post EU Alliance for Investing in Children’s response to the European Parliament’s vote on the European Social Fund Plus post-2027 appeared first on Hope and Homes for Children.

Last month, your donations changed lives. Because of your continued generosity, our team successfully shut down the ‘Home for Medical and Social Care for Children’ orphanage in Kardjali, South Bulgaria. Now, there are only three institutions left. And we’re going to close them all.

Behind every story of an orphanage closure are the stories of the children living inside. Stories of the parents they were separated from. Of their happiness when they finally came back to family.

Stories like Ivanka’s.

Meet Ivanka

When Ivanka was born, her mum, Elena*, didn’t know what to do. She was struggling to get by, and single by the time Ivanka was three months old. Elena was only 16.

Ivanka needed surgery, but Elena was too unwell to care for her. Her grandmother, Petya*, did everything she could to help, but Ivanka’s health became critical. The authorities found out. Quickly, they sent her to live in the ‘Home for Medical and Social Care for Children’ orphanage nearby. She was just a baby.

Why do children get placed in orphanages?

Like Ivanka, 80% of children in orphanages aren’t actually orphans. They’ve been separated from their families. Families who just needed help.

Lack of access to medical support is a key driver of family separation. Instead of getting the support they need, struggling parents have their children taken away and placed in institutions. 

Just like what happened to Ivanka.

Find out more about how children end up in orphanages.

Life inside the orphanage

Up to 40 children lived at Ivanka’s orphanage. Several had disabilities and needed round-the-clock care. There was no laughter, no joy.

“I always have a picture in my mind of this orphanage,” says Kremena Stoyanova, National Coordinator for Hope and Homes for Children South Bulgaria. “Long and very wide corridors and a rehabilitation therapist holding the hand of a two-year-old child. Footsteps clanging in the empty space. Those sounds in the darkness are the picture I want to erase.” 

“Those sounds in the darkness are the picture I want to erase.” 

But that’s not the worst part. Institutional care exposes children to violence, abuse and neglect. As a result, for every three months spent in an orphanage, children lose one month’s development.

That’s why we work to bring children back to family.

Find out more about how orphanages harm children.

Bringing Ivanka back to family

Thanks to your donations, our team started helping Ivanka’s family to bring her home.

Elena attended parenting classes, and Petya was supported to find a new job, renovate the home, and create a new safe space for her granddaughter. With our team by their side, we worked with the local authorities to bring Ivanka out of the orphanage and back to family.

But our work doesn’t end there.

Sustainable change

It’s one thing bringing children back to family. It’s another to ensure they’ll stay there. Working with Elena and Petya, we created an action plan for Ivanka’s long-term care. Elena agreed it would be best for Ivanka to grow up with her grandmother.

Thanks to your donations, we helped Petya become a foster parent, inviting her to training sessions while providing emotional and financial support to the family as they adapted to the change.

Now, everything’s different. Ivanka’s three years old, happy and healthy, and growing up with her grandmother. Elena visits all the time, bonding with her daughter while making money to support herself. And Petya couldn’t be happier with a new baby in her home.

Shutting down the orphanage

We’ve been working on closing the ‘Home for Medical and Social Care for Children’ orphanage in Kardjali since 2015. This year, after nearly a decade of hard work, we completed the process.

Thanks to your support, each of the children living inside – including Ivanka – were either brought back to family, or into family-based alternative care solutions. You can read more about the full process here.

What’s next?

Riding on our success, our team in Bulgaria is gearing up for the next big win. With your support, we’re ready to shut down the last three orphanages in the country and bring every child home to a loving family.

But we can’t do it without you.

Will you help us close the last remaining orphanages in Bulgaria and bring the children living inside back to family? Donate today.

The post New beginnings: How you helped bring Ivanka* back to family appeared first on Hope and Homes for Children.

Messages of joy and accomplishment are coming in from our team in Romania, having just closed yet another orphanage confining wrongfully separated children.

Following a complex two-year process, our Romania team successfully and safely closed the Mihael Sadoveanu Orphanage in Iași County earlier this month. Thanks to your donations, our team ensured every single child living inside was brought back to family.

Over thirty years since the world was shocked by images of children in Romanian orphanages, there are now only seven orphanages left in Iași County. And with your support, we’re set to have them all closed by the end of 2024.

Who was in the orphanage?

The orphanage held 40 children and young adults. All of them girls. None of them actually orphans.

Sadly, 80% of children in orphanages around the world have living family members they could, and should, be growing up with.

Find out more about why children end up in orphanages here.

Instead, the majority of children in orphanages are exposed to violence, abuse and neglect – vulnerable to physical and psychological harm that lasts a lifetime.

Find out more about how orphanages harm children.

How was the orphanage closed?

A cooperation agreement to close the institution was signed with the local government of Iași County in 2022.

Thanks to this partnership, our team was able to assess the needs of the children In the orphanage, find their families, and support them to bring their children home. Where they belong.

We’re also providing monitoring, counselling and support at every step of the reintegration process.

“Every closure is different in terms of work and challenges, but the feeling in the end is the same: a great joy and accomplishment.”

Adrian Oros – Hope and Homes for Children Romania

Find out more about how we safely close orphanages and bring children back to family here.

Where have the children from the orphanage gone?

Following an extended period of research, planning, family tracing and safeguarding procedures, our team helped find safe homes for each of the 40 girls inside.

Thanks to your continued support, we were able to get all of them either back to their biological families, into foster families, or into independent living schemes for those over 18.

Thank you

Since 1994, we’ve been committed to shutting down orphanages and getting children inside back to family. None of this would be possible without your support. Thank you.

“When the institution was closed down, we were happy that all of those children have left behind this large institution and they were now in a new place – family. We were and are happy to be able to contribute to this new stage in their lives, it feels like we have accomplished something not only for now, but also for the future.”

Adrian Oros – Hope and Homes for Children Romania

That’s 40 young lives who get the chance to start again. To feel love. Family. Home.

What’s next?

Thanks to this success, our team in Romania is ready to up the ante. With the help of the local government, we’re now set to shut down the seven remaining orphanages in Iași County, bringing every child inside back to family.

But we need your help.

Our team in Romania is set to close the last remaining orphanages in Iași County by the end of 2024. Will you help us bring each and every one of the children stuck inside these institutions back to family? Donate today.

The post UPDATE: Another orphanage successfully closed in Romania appeared first on Hope and Homes for Children.

Welcome to Disability Pride Month 2024. Join us as we raise awareness, foster inclusivity, and advocate for the rights of all people with disabilities around the world.

At Hope and Homes for Children, we believe every child deserves a loving, family home. Yet sadly, one in three children living in orphanages have disabilities.

Whoever they are, wherever they are, every child deserves the chance to thrive. That’s why, this Disability Pride Month, we’re championing these children and their right to come back to family.

Disability Pride Month Facts & Tips

What is Disability Pride Month?

You might be wondering, ‘What is Disability Pride Month?’

It’s celebrated every July and marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) signed in 1990. This landmark legislation was a significant step towards ensuring the rights and freedoms of people with disabilities.

Now, we dedicate the month to highlighting the incredible achievements of the disabled community and standing up for their rights to equality, inclusion, and visibility.

When is Disability Pride Month?

Disability Pride Month takes place every July – a perfect time to reflect on the progress made since the ADA was enacted.

How to Observe Disability Pride Month

Wondering how to observe this year’s Disability Pride Month?

• Get engaged – There’s plenty happening this month. From flying the Disability Pride Flag to taking place in some local Disability Pride parades and events in your community, there’s always great ways to get engaged.
• Get educated – Read up on what it means to be part of the disabled community, and how you can be an ally.
• Get involved – The best way to observe Disability Pride Month is to engage in fundraising. We’re always looking out for fundraisers and volunteers on our Get Involved page. Head over to find out how you can help out this month.

No matter what you plan on doing, make sure you take some time out for reflection and research. Above all it’s a month for solidarity and celebration. Overall, it’s a month to get involved.

Disability Pride Month 2024

For Disability Pride Month 2024, a huge suite of workshops, events, and demonstrations will take place. Reach out to your local community hub to see what’s on for Disability Pride Month in the UK.

Why Disability Pride Month Matters

People with disabilities can face huge barriers in our society, as well as unfair discrimination and prejudice.

Disability Pride Month reminds us of how important the fight for inclusion and equality is. Celebrating Disability Pride Month helps us break down stereotypes, creating a society where everyone thrives. No matter who they are.

Supporting children with disabilities

This Disability Pride Month, we’re platforming our ongoing commitment to supporting children and young people with disabilities all around the world. Every child deserves a home. Every child deserves to find their way back to family.

Orphanages and children with disabilities

The UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states the right of all people (including children) with disabilities to independent-living, family life and to access the highest standard of health care, and inclusive education without discrimination. 

Yet still, young people with disabilities are among the most vulnerable in society.

Did you know?

• One in three children in orphanages have disabilities.
• Without the right support, struggling parents may feel like their only option to get their children the care they need is inside an orphanage. Sadly, it’s not true.
• Orphanages can neglect children and young people with disabilities, exposing them to violence, abuse, and even trafficking.
• Young people with disabilities in orphanages don’t get the individualised support they need, depriving them of their chance to grow with their disabilities.

You can read more about how orphanages harm children and why children with disabilities need loving family homes on our website.

How are we helping?

It’s our mission to bring every child living in orphanages back to family. Including children with disabilities. We work tirelessly to dismantle orphanages and reform childcare systems globally, ensuring every child, regardless of ability, grows up in a nurturing family environment.

Our work proves that young people with disabilities always thrive when they return to their families. Young people like Divine*.

Divine’s story

Divine, born with disabilities, was placed in an orphanage because her mother, Ruwera, fell sick and couldn’t afford to care for her anymore. She prayed she’d receive the support she needed. Instead, Divine suffered for nine long years.

Thankfully, your donations helped bring Divine out of the orphanage and back to family. Now, she’s happy, healthy and surrounded by family.

“In years to come, I’ll become a journalist or a lawyer. I want to advocate for people living through injustice, like people with disabilities.”

Divine

Read Divine’s full story here.

How You Can Make a Difference

1. Read their stories: Learn more about what life for children living with disabilities. Children like Uwase* and Ivan*.
2. Spread the word: Share information on social media and in your community. Use the hashtag #DisabilityPrideMonth to join the conversation.
3. Donate today: Your contributions help us continue our vital work in reuniting children with disabilities with their families. Every donation makes a significant impact.

Subscribe to our Mailing List

Thanks to your support, we’re making waves for children with disabilities, all around the world.

Want a regular dose of impact straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our mailing list—it’s jam-packed with heartwarming stories, interesting facts and exciting ways to get involved. Welcome to our movement.

Join the mailing list

The post Disability Pride Month 2024: Empower, Nurture and Celebrate appeared first on Hope and Homes for Children.

Sunday, 16th June is Father’s Day, a time to celebrate the father figures in our lives – dad jokes and all.

This Father’s Day, we’re not just celebrating parents. We’re celebrating father figures – people who represent support, love, strength, and care.

Whether it’s a dad, a friend, a relative, or a hero, father figures come in different forms for different people. Today’s the day to celebrate them.

“I love them like my own children. Not my nephews, but my children.” 

Ion*, Nelu’s* uncle.

Father’s Day Facts

When is Father’s Day 2024?

Every year, Father’s Day UK falls on the third Sunday of June. This year, Father’s Day will be on Sunday, June 16th in the UK. Time to get planning.

How to Celebrate Father’s Day 2024

There are countless ways to celebrate Father’s Day 2024. Go as big or as little as you want, but make sure you take the time to let your father figure know just how great they are.

• Spend quality time together – there’s no better gift than the gift of time. Enjoy each other’s company with some shared activities or hobbies.
• Share a heartfelt message – sometimes, all you need is to say how you feel! Let your father figure know how much they mean to you with a kind message of love.
• Support a charity – donating to charity is a great present to give anyone. If you’d like to make a donation in your father figure’s name, head to our Donate page.

Father’s Day is all about fun and celebration, but above all, it’s about family. No matter what gift you go for, remember the greatest gift is time spent with family.

Q: When does a joke become a dad joke?
A: When it becomes apparent!

“I decided to take the boys. I really love them, they’re my family. ” 

Kyrylo*, uncle of three.

Ideas for Meaningful Father’s Day Gifts

Hard to find anything your father figure likes? We’ve got the solution. There’s always one thing that’ll go down well: a homemade gift. Why? It’s personalized, heartfelt, and irreplaceable. Consider making these no-fail FIY Father’s Day gifts:

• A photo album filled with special memories.
• Custom t-shirt with a funny quote, picture or name.
• Pottery like a cup, plate or saucer.
• A compilation CD with their favourite songs, a retro idea!
• Cooking ingredients like chilli sauces, condiments, or even a unique coffee blend.

Another great idea for a meaningful Father’s Day gift is an experience. Take your father figure out for a special meal, activity, or day trip. You can’t put a price on that treasured time spent together.

Why is Father’s Day so important?

Father’s Day can be a tricky time for many people. If it’s a hard day for you, spend it with loved ones who understand. Go at your own pace.

Father’s Day is also an opportunity to remember the importance of family, and a chance to champion the people supporting children without parents.

Right now, 5.4 million children are separated from their families, living inside orphanages even though 80% aren’t even orphans. This Father’s Day, let’s champion these children, their rights to reunification, and fight for their journey back to family.

“It was the happiest day of my life, when I took my boy back. ” 

Stoyan*, Ivan’s dad.

How we can help get children back to family

Every child deserves a loving home. Every child deserves to be brought back to family. This Father’s Day, if you want to help millions of separated children, there are plenty of ways you can join our movement.

• Get involved – whether it’s volunteering your time or your skills, you’ll find lots of great ideas on our Get Involved page.
• Make a donation – your generosity is helping us bring separated children back to family. Donate today.
• Spread the word – share the importance of our work with your friends and family.

If you want to find out more about the benefits of family-based care and why ending orphanages matters, read our stories of family reunification – stories of heroes helping children find loving homes.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of children. Children who deserve family.

Join Us in Celebrating Father’s Day

As we celebrate Father’s Day 2024, let’s remember the importance of family and the role it plays in a child’s life.

Thanks for reading our Father’s Day blog. Want to stay updated with more stories and ways to help bring separated children #BackToFamily? Subscribe to our mailing list for the latest news and updates

Join our mailing List

The post Father’s Day 2024: Celebrating the father figure in your life appeared first on Hope and Homes for Children.

For over a decade, our partners CCF Moldova have been at the helm of the Social Creches. These community childcare facilities offer free support to vulnerable families, families with children at risk of being placed in orphanages. 

Now, our Social Creche model is growing, keeping families together throughout Moldova. Our team sets them up, before passing the reigns to local authorities who fund and operate them. Thanks to your continued support, these creches are getting children off the path to orphanages and back to family. 

Will you help bring millions of separated children back to family? Donate today.

Why were the Social Creches started?

The Social Creches were started in 2011 in Chișinău. 

Dr. Liliana Rotaru, Director of CCF Moldova, remembers the sad conversation that led to its creation.

“We were working with seven mums, five of whom had very young babies. They were single mums with no support from their families. All of them said the same thing to us, ‘we have no choice. Either I leave my child in an orphanage and go abroad to earn some money, or we both starve.” 

In Moldova, accessing support for child care is a huge challenge. State childcare only starts at three years old. Until then, many parents struggle. 

“If you’re a single parent and you don’t have resources to pay for private child care, or if you don’t have extended family who can help, then how do you live?”, explains Pete Garratt, our Director of Global Programmes.  

Many parents in Moldova feel pressured to move across the border to Russia to earn money. They leave their children in orphanages, hoping one day they’ll be able to take them back. But all too often, that day never comes. And children lose their childhoods inside orphanages.

This is just one of many reasons why 80% of children in orphanages aren’t even orphans. They have families. Families who just needed support. 

Opening the first Social Creche 

With support from the local Child Protection Department, CCF Moldova opened the first Social Creche in a local community building. 

Each of those mums Liliana’s team were working with, who were once forced to choose between food and family, finally had help to keep their children at home. They were able to leave their children in the morning, go to work to earn money, then pick them up at the end of the day. Many of the parents didn’t even know this was a service that existed.

Since then, our team has opened ten similar Social Creches across Moldova. As of April 2024, 577 children have attended our creches. That’s 577 children supported to stay at home. Where they belong. 

Opening a creche in Rezina County 

This year, our team opened the newest Social Creche in Rezina County. In collaboration with the local Mayor, Town Council and Child Protection Department, the Social Creche currently provides care for nine local children.  

Ala Nosatii, Programme Manager, explains how essential the centre has become to the community since opening in March. 

“It’s all about the needs of the family. Kindergarten is expensive. You need nappies, clothes, food and school supplies. But the parents we support don’t have any resources.” 

To support these parents, the creche ensures their children have everything they need during the day. This gives parents the chance to find employment, earn money, and strengthen their families for the future. And, most importantly, it’s giving the children the chance to get a solid start in life. Today,

“The creche is wonderful,” says Ala proudly. “Not all of these children have toys and food in their house. But now, they’re fed, happy and playing together.” 

What’s next?

Eleven years since creating this model, our creche system has been recognised by UNICEF and received both domestic and international awards. Now, Liliana’s team is supporting it to grow even further. 

“It’s not just enough to have a pilot project, even ten creches,” says Liliana. “We need to help authorities to develop more creches by themselves.” 

Now, our team is creating a toolkit so the Moldovan government can carry the torch. Already, they’ve supported the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to develop new policies and will continue to assist with costing and licensing. Eventually, this will mean Local Public authorities can replicate our social creche model. All across the country.

The Social Creches are just one way your donations are helping children in Moldova. Donate today and help bring strength back to family.

The post “Either I leave my child in an orphanage, or we both starve” – Behind the Social Creches supporting parents in Moldova appeared first on Hope and Homes for Children.

“Super Gran may be a work of fiction, but I’ve met the real deal.”

Pete Garratt, Director of Global Programmes, recently visited families supported by our local partner, CCF Moldova. Read on for the inspiring stories of four grandmas fostering children in Moldova.

You may or not be familiar with the tales of Super Gran, the Scottish grandmother with quirky superpowers. But I can tell you, after two days of visiting the families of fostering children in Moldova, I have found not just one, but four Moldovan Super Grans.

Time after time, it’s these Super Grans that spring into action to save the day and lives of young children. Children who, through no fault of their own, have been separated from their parents. From their families. From love.

These are their stories.

Will you help us support families fostering children in Moldova? Donate today and bring strength back to family.

Adela’s* story

Adela has eyes that sparkle with love and tenderness, tempered with a steely determination to prove the experts wrong. 

Two years ago, experts at a local medical centre said that it wasn’t possible to find foster parents for Radu*, a young boy with disabilities. At three years old, Radu, who has Down’s Syndrome, weighed just 6kg. He had several health problems, including allergies, digestive issues, neurological challenges, and an unsupportive spine. He couldn’t support his own head. The doctors said that if he left the institution, he’d die.

But Adela and her husband, Dumitru*, believed otherwise. She knew that with love, care and the proper support, Radu could have a better life.

“We are stubborn, and we decided to fight for this child.”

And she was right. Radu improved drastically after moving in with Adela. Two years on, he supports himself, walks, dances to music, and is able to chew and digest food of all types. He’s even overcome fruit allergies, and is now a healthy weight.

Inside orphanages, children like Radu just can’t get the support they need to thrive, even if they’re surrounded by medical staff. That’s why we do whatever it takes to get them back to family.

When I asked Adela what had made the difference, she said: “It was our love and care, he’s our family now, and he’ll live with us for the rest of our lives.” A true Super Gran.

“He’s our family now, and he’ll live with us for the rest of our lives.”

Maria’s* story

Maria has eight grandchildren of her own, and an incredible capacity to love, protect and nurture.

Alongside her partner, Petru*, Maria became a parent once again after deciding to foster four children: Oleg*, Miron*, Elena* and Ana*. All siblings, all aged between two and eight, each of these kids had been left in one of Moldova’s large state-run orphanages for babies and young children. Thanks to Maria, these kids found their way out of the institution and back to family.

Today, the small menagerie of animals Maria and Petru look after adds to the noise of the children’s happy new lives together. Now, they’re spending their days playing in a safe environment with a beautiful garden – beginning their journey of healing, together as a family.

Valentina’s* story

Valentina and George*, her husband, have three grandchildren, Andreii*, 14, Dana*, 10, and Bogdan*, two.

When they were young, Andreii, Dana and Bogdan’s mum struggled with addiction and was unable to care for them. Andreii and Dana moved in with their grandma, and Bogdan was born years later.

Sadly, Bogdan was neglected. He weighed just 5kg at six months old. As a result, he was placed inside an orphanage.

But Valentina was determined to rescue Bogdan so he could grow up alongside his siblings. Not inside an orphanage. She fought for guardianship rights, and after a lengthy process won.

Now, eighteen months later, Bogdan’s toy cars cover the floor of their flat. It was a delight to see him at a healthy weight, eating normally and developing as he should. Finally, back to family.

Olga’s* story

Olga is a mother and wife who stepped in to care for her niece, Tatiana*.

When Tatiana was six months old, Olga’s sister-in-law left her baby and moved away. Olga will never forget the night when she found baby Tatiana, all alone, without being fed or even having her nappy changed.

“If I hadn’t been there that evening, I don’t think she would have survived until the morning.”

Olga and Sergiu*, her husband, took Tatiana in immediately.

Eighteen months later, Tatiana now two, is doing much better. Olga is now her legal guardian, ready to raise her in a loving, family home.

“I have a grown-up son and am having to relearn how to be a mother again,” says Olga, “but Tatiana will stay with us now. We will give her every opportunity in life.”

Thank you for helping families fostering children in Moldova

“Super Gran may be a work of fiction but I have met the real deal.”

I am in awe of the super grans and grandads we met in Moldova. Whether it’s rescuing their grandchildren from tragic circumstances or rescuing someone else’s children through foster care, their superpowers were truly evident.

Alongside our local partners, CCF Moldova, it’s an absolute privilege for us to support these families. From providing legal aid to emotional support, emergency supplies to food and schooling, your donations are helping strength back to family. All across Moldova.

Thank you for your continued support. You’re helping support super grans like Adela, Maria, Valentina and Olga – inspiring carers fostering children in Moldova.

Will you help bring millions of separated children back to family? Donate today.

* Names changed to protect identity.

The post From Moldova: Meet the grandmas bringing children back to family appeared first on Hope and Homes for Children.

“The first time I went to the orphanage and left the children, I was crying so hard I almost couldn’t see the way back. I missed them every day.” 

Gabriela, 64, is the grandmother of Mihaela* and Iulian*. For nine years, they were locked away inside the largest orphanage in Romania. All because they had learning disabilities. 

Thanks to your donations, our team helped Gabriela bring Mihaela and Iulian back to family. Read on to find out how.

Will you help children with learning disabilities living in orphanages get back to family? Donate today. 

Sent to an orphanage in Romania

Gabriela lives with her husband in rural Iași County, northeast Romania. 

In 2012, she took in her four young grandchildren. Her daughter was struggling with addiction and could no longer support Mihaela, 11, Iulian, 8, or their two younger siblings, Valeria and Mihai. 

They’d been neglected, and were already years behind in school.

Gabriela loved her grandchildren more than anything. But soon after they moved in, she realised Mihaela and Iulian needed specialised support for their learning disabilities. But with no money and no suitable school nearby, Gabriela was worried. 

She reached out to social services, asking for help. But instead of supporting her to keep her grandchildren at home, they recommended Mihaela and Iulian be sent to an orphanage. 

Believing it was their only chance, Gabriela agreed. 

Why are children with disabilities placed in orphanages? 

Around the world, children with disabilities are much more likely to struggle to find inclusive education in their communities. For families living in poverty like Gabriela’s, accessing the right support can be near impossible. 

That puts children with disabilities at a much higher risk of being placed in orphanages.  

How do orphanages harm children with disabilities? 

Even the best orphanages can’t provide the one thing children need more than anything. Love. Shockingly, the majority of children in orphanages experience violence, abuse and neglect. And 80% have family they could be living with.

For children with like Mihaela and Iulian, it’s even tougher. Research has shown that young people with disabilities are at an ever greater risk of abuse. Girls are more likely to experience physical and sexual violence.

No matter what, every child deserves a place in their community. And no child should ever have to choose between education and their family. 

The pain of separation 

For the next nine years, Gabriela visited Mihaela and Iulian in the orphanage whenever she could.  

“I missed them every day,” she remembers tearfully. “I couldn’t see them around the table, eating, learning and playing with their siblings, Valeria and Mihai. But I wanted them to learn how to write and how to count money, so that they can do something when I’m no longer around.” 

Gabriela tried to bring Mihaela and Iulian home to their siblings, but with only two rooms, social services wouldn’t allow it. Her state allowances barely covered day-to-day living, let alone two more children. They spent everything they had. Her son even started working abroad to send money home, but it still wasn’t enough. 

Then, Gabriela heard the worst news yet. Unless she found some money fast, Valeria and Mihai would be taken away as well. 

How we support families like Gabriela’s 

Since 1998, our team in Romania has been working with the Romanian government to shut down orphanages and bring children back to family. Families like Gabriela’s. 

Radu Tohatan, our Social Work Manager, met Gabriela and listened to her situation. Our team worked with the local authorities to help Gabriela get back on her feet – anything she needed to bring Mihaela and Iulian home. 

Thanks to your donations, Gabriela was able to build a whole new extension of her house. That was the first step in Mihaela and Iulian’s journey home. 

Next, we connected the family to a nearby vocational school, so Mihaela and Iulian could continue their specialised studies. 

Then, we ensured Gabriela was financially strong. We offered her counselling and tailor-made support – the kind of support she needed nine years ago when she was separated from her grandchildren.  

Thanks to our team, everything changed. Gabriela, a strong grandmother of four, was reunited with Mihaela and Iulian. At last, they were back to family. 

Thank you

Today, Gabriela’s family is doing great. Mihaela and Iulian are living with their siblings and their grandparents and feeling much better. No longer shut away. Finally safe. 

 “Whatever I can provide, I provide,” Gabriela says. “I cook for them; I wash for them. The best thing is that now they’re back home with me. I love them very much, with all my heart.” And then she adds, with a smile, “though I wish they’d listen to me from time to time!” 

Gabriela’s family is just one of thousands we’ve supported since starting our work in Romania. Now, we’re on the cusp of closing every last orphanage in Romania.

Will you support our life-changing work in Romania? Donate today and help bring children out of an orphanage and back to family.

The post How Gabriela rescued her grandkids from an orphanage – “I missed them everyday” appeared first on Hope and Homes for Children.

Together with supporters, families and young people, we’re showing a better world is possible. Read our round up of the last 12 months.

Closing orphanages, transforming care

Over the past twelve months, we and our partners have celebrated the closure of seven orphanages. 

In Romania, the whole of Ilfov Country is now institution free thanks to our work in partnership with the child protection department.

In Nepal, as the result of supporting and equipping our partners to train, sensitise and lobby local municipalities over the last two years, those authorities have now closed two children’s homes in Kathmandu Valley.  More than 500 children have been supported to escape the clutches of institutions in the year so far.  Our persistent advocacy has helped the government in Bulgaria commit to close the last remaining four children’s institutions – and what’s more, they’ve asked our Bulgarian team to lead on providing technical and practical support during this process.

Supporting families in crisis

Due to our work supporting families in crisis, more than 9,000 children across ten countries who might otherwise have been separated from loving families and placed in abusive, neglectful institutions, are now safe. In support of this, the first foster care pilot is now underway in Nepal to further strengthen family care alternatives. And in South Africa, we’re training young women to open their own businesses and become economically independent, as part of our inspirational ‘active family support’ model.

Our team in Ukraine continue to display incredible fortitude – helping particularly vulnerable children and families deal with trauma, and keeping families together. We’re providing counselling, therapy and material support, as well as finding new homes and foster families for children with nowhere else to go.

Working alongside governments and the EU to ensure no child is left behind

Our work in India has received a significant seal of approval from USAID, who have committed to funding us and our partners, as we support state government efforts to transform care provision, especially in inclusion for children with disabilities.  In Rwanda, our team continue to pioneer care reform for children with disabilities. We recently secured long term funding from the EU to ‘transform disability-inclusive child protection and care for vulnerable and marginalised children and youth’.    

Winning hearts and minds, alongside young people from care

In September, we co-organised the Asia Biannual Conference for Care Reform in Kathmandu. With over 230 in person participants and around 100 online participants attending from across the region and globally, this was a hugely successful way to engage policy makers and civil society in the fight to transform child care.  We were delighted that care-experienced young people played a central in shaping the conference, and that we could support by providing a platform for their voices to be heard as they called for change.

Impact on the biggest stage

Systems reform is the most sustainable way to have large scale impact. In 2023, as a result of our direct contribution

• the South African government committed to having a National Deinstitutionalisation Policy in place by the end of the year. Together with the South African Policy and Development Nexus, we’ve helped develop and consult on the drafts. 

• The Nepalese government has included ‘deinstitutionalisation’ in their Five Year Periodic [Development] Plan for the first time ever. 
• In Moldova, we have helped review, and make recommendations for, the regulatory framework for alternative care services.

What’s next?

In 2024 we want to see even more landmark moments where governments, law and policy makers, and social workers show that they believe family based care is best for all children.  So we’ll continue to expand our reach – we’ve recently partnered with a local organisation in Kenya to provide technical support to a pilot project demonstrating that change orphanage to family care is possible in Nakuru Country.  

None of this would have been possible without the generous support of people like you – who share our belief that every child deserves the love and belonging of a safe, supported family.

Thank you!

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Currently, all EU funding regulations and relevant policies contain measures for shifting from institutional to family and community-based care, thanks to the continuous, close collaboration between civil society and the EU institutions.

However, we have increasingly been advocating for transferring this approach to the EU accession process.

EU candidate countries share a common aspiration: becoming an EU Member State. To achieve this, they must undertake reforms in a number of areas and align with the EU standards, the so called ‘EU acquis’. As Hope and Homes for Children, we strive to ensure that the EU monitors and supports child protection and care system reform in EU candidate countries, as an integral part of their accession journey.

And we’re starting to see some very promising recent developments.

Advancing care reform throughout Europe

In October, the European Commission recommended further advancement of care reform in all ten 2023 Progress Reports that constitute the EU Enlargement Package. This brings an unprecedented opportunity for simultaneous care reform processes throughout Europe, that could effectively lead to the end of child institutionalisation, and result in children growing up in safe and caring families.

These are just some of the relevant excerpts from the reports:

• De-institutionalisation actions are taking place, but need to be further taken forward at a sufficient pace. (Albania)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to urgently develop and adopt a deinstitutionalisation strategy to move towards community-based care.
• Georgia lacks a national strategy on the de-institutionalisation of children. However, the government has made steps to deinstitutionalise remaining non-state regulated religious residential institutions. Further measures are needed to address the lack of proper standards in boarding schools.
• A comprehensive strategy for child protection is necessary to accelerate deinstitutionalisation and the transition towards quality, family- and community-based care services, including with an adequate focus on preparing children to leave care. (Kosovo)
• …deinstitutionalisation of children with disabilities is progressing, [but] insufficiently qualified staff, lack of resources and poor infrastructure hinder the specialised care and support for institutionalised children with disabilities. (Moldova)
• The deinstitutionalisation strategy, initially planned for Q4 2022, has yet to be adopted. (Montenegro)
• Implementation of the 2018-2027 national deinstitutionalisation strategy continues. This involves a transition from institutional care to family and community-based care with support from social services. (North Macedonia)
• implement and report in good time on the strategies on anti-discrimination that includes the rights of LGBTIQ persons, gender equality, violence against women, and deinstitutionalisation; actively counter hate-motivated crimes and establish a track record of investigation and convictions (Serbia)
• Ukraine should develop and adopt a comprehensive de-institutionalisation reform of childcare and launch its implementation, considering the situation of displaced children in the upcoming year.
• Adequate funding should be directed towards reinforcing community-based care and ensuring proper deinstitutionalisation. Particular concern is caused by the construction of new institutions following the earthquakes and the wars in Syria and Ukraine. (Turkey)

Learning from the past: European Commission brown bag lunch on child protection and care reform in EU enlargement countries

Bringing our experience to bear

Following the Enlargement Package publication, the Commission held an internal webinar, focused on care reform, in close collaboration with us and Lumos. EU representatives, based in Brussels and EU candidate countries alike, joined the online event and shared key EU commitments and initiatives to support child protection and care reform in EU candidate countries. This event was a timely opportunity to discuss current opportunities to promote progress in countries in the process of accessing EU membership with EU staff.

Alongside others, we shared insights from former and ongoing EU accession processes, in particular Bulgaria. Our colleagues gave joint recommendations on how to ensure child protection and care reform is achieved in the midst of the EU accession process. We shared lessons learnt from Bulgaria, where progress is down to resolute political will and technical and financial assistance from the European Union – including pooled resources between the EU Directorate-Generals for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) and Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (EMPL), and collaboration with civil society organisations like us.

Despite this, our experts highlighted that efforts must be maintained to ensure the completion of child care reform in Bulgaria, where four institutions for young children with disabilities remain. This ‘looking back’ exercise resonated with our experts from Ukraine and Moldova; our work in these countries will continue to draw on our years of experience working in past and current EU accession countries alike.

Making care reform a reality

This is all very positive, but in order for care reform to really advance and be completed in a quality and sustainable way, it must be properly funded. This would mean governments making sure that some of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) III, the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation (NDICI) funding, as well as under any new funding instrument or package, are ringfenced for care reform. As we have been operational in Ukraine and Moldova for decades, it is only natural that we follow more closely the developments in these countries.

Recently, there have been two outstanding opportunities for advancing their care reform: the Ukraine Facility Regulation and the EU Support Package for the Republic of Moldova.

Ukraine

Given

• the objectives listed in the Ukraine Facility Regulation, such as

1. contributing to the recovery, reconstruction and modernisation of the country, and
2. progressively aligning with the EU acquis

• and the high number of institutionalised children, addressed also in the EC Opinion on Ukraine’s application for membership of the European Union,

it is logical that the Ukraine Facility, and the mirroring Ukraine Plan, support a comprehensive reform of the child protection and care system in Ukraine.

Moreover, the European Commission has already granted €10m to Ukraine for the development of a modern child care strategy. Funding its implementation is the next step for securing family care for the thousands of institutionalised and orphaned children, threatened by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

As care reform was not included in the original EC proposal, we mobilised eleven key child and disability rights Ukrainian and international organisations and networks around joint proposals for amendments. The European Parliament has taken these on board in their report on the Regulation. We then directed our advocacy efforts towards the Council and the Commission and are now expecting the outcome of the trialogues, the negotiations between the three EU decision-making bodies.

Moldova

Similarly, the EU Support Package for the Republic of Moldova could be instrumental for completing care reform for children in Moldova. Especially, when the 2022-2026 National Child Protection Programme and Action Plan provide the necessary base for completing the care reform of children. The implementation however has been delayed due to lack of resources. Our analysis, endorsed by 11 Moldovan and international organisations, demonstrates that care reform could be funded under two of the three Package priorities: Economic development and connectivity and Administrative capacity. A successfully completed reform in an EU candidate country will set an example for all the other accession and partner countries.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way

Ultimately, systematic inclusion of child care reform as a key, priority requirement for EU accession requires resolute political will.

We believe we can secure this by:

• advocating towards the EU to ensure it champions child care reform in the negotiations towards accession
• supporting national and regional child care advocates, so they can seize opportunities to advocate for child care reform in the context of EU accession.

To support the launch and implementation of care reform in EU candidate countries, we’re currently working on producing guiding documents tailored to these two audiences. These build on our decades of experiences in the European Eastern Neighbourhood region. We are looking at launching them early next year, with the hope that they will be a useful tool for governments, EU institutions and civil society actors, working on care reform for children.

Authors: Irina Papancheva, Marie Raverdeau

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