After a long flight and much traveling, we made it to Moldova.
The first few days, we were in a smaller town called Balti about 2 hours outside of Chisanau.
The first work day, (Friday- after the traveling we arrived in Balti in time for dinner Thursday and went to bed) we worked with a Women's Center (Sotis) there in Belti (Bel-t-z). Before lunch we had an orientation with the director from the center. She told us all about the center's purpose and the history. Sotis is a refuge for women who have been abused in the families or who have been trafficked.
Friday night we went to the local park and rode some rides in the park. It was so much fun! We rode a huge rickety ferris wheel and viking swings.
On Saturday we had a really special day! We went to the same park but this time we rode the public bus and met 56 kids from an orphanage. Luckily they brought 6 teachers and staff members from the orphanage (Tsaregrad). These kids are from a VERY small town a little big away from Balti. For most of these kids and adults it was their first trip into a city. Tsaregrad is one of the same orphanages that our team visited last year, but since then they have had no other visitors. It was really fun when we first saw the kids because some of the kids recognized our returning team members. It was so joyful for the kids! They got to ride the ferris wheel, a small roller coaster and a swing ride. The kids absolutely LOVED it all! After the rides we went to a pizza place. Again, this was the first time that both the kids and the adults had ever had Mountain Dew and pizza. They actually liked it! After lunch we went back to the park and played tons of games and did some crafts. We were worn out by the end of the day and so were the kids. They ended up falling asleep on the way back to the orphanage.
On Sunday we made a special trip out to Caprini where we went to church. It was so special that we got to visit that church. It was a beautiful church that is small and a wonderful evangelical church. After church we went back to Balti and had lunch then went to another smaller town where we met the Beginning of Life people. In that town we helped work a festival for the local townspeople. While at the festival, we blew up balloons, had stickers to give out, made THOUSANDS of bracelets, and painted THOUSANDS of faces. The people from the town LOVED it. The Beginning of Life people threw an awesome party. They provided a stage and huge speakers for music, and had bounce houses, a trampoline, and bars for a gymnast, then they had a fashion show! It was really fun to see the different ways that the town celebrated.
Today, we went back to work with the Women's Center. However, in the same block, there are several different centers. This morning half of us got to work with children with mental illnesses and the other half of us worked with older people with mental illnesses. Working with people with mental illnesses was very hard, but we had a lot of fun. We helped them make bracelets and danced with the older people. They even taught us a traditional Moldovan dance. After lunch we went back to the same area of centers and half of us worked with the Women's Center again while the other half worked with the Homeless Youth Center. At the Women's Center we taught them how to make headbands that they can sell at the market. We also got to teach the staff how to make the headbands and magazine necklaces so they can help teach the women as well. It was an amazing day.
We have finally arrived in Chisanau, home sweet home. From here on out we will have internet, so continue looking for updates. Sorry this one is so long. The others won't be as long. Also, please tell all your friends to watch our blog.
Love from Moldova.
The first few days, we were in a smaller town called Balti about 2 hours outside of Chisanau.
The first work day, (Friday- after the traveling we arrived in Balti in time for dinner Thursday and went to bed) we worked with a Women's Center (Sotis) there in Belti (Bel-t-z). Before lunch we had an orientation with the director from the center. She told us all about the center's purpose and the history. Sotis is a refuge for women who have been abused in the families or who have been trafficked.
- About 60% of the women served were at some point trafficked or are at risk of becoming trafficked.
- They can hold up to 19 women (including any children of the women)
- Currently they are housing 14. 8 of them are adults and the rest are their children.
- Every woman stays at least 30 days (paid for by the government) and can stay 3, 6, or 12 months.
- Women who stay longer are typically young mothers or trafficking victims.
- Sortis is the only center of this kind sponsored by the governement.
- Services are free.
- They also partner with other organizations to provide more services to the women.
- Currently they are receiving a grant funded through the UN and Orange Mobil to provide professional schooling and jobs.
Friday night we went to the local park and rode some rides in the park. It was so much fun! We rode a huge rickety ferris wheel and viking swings.
On Saturday we had a really special day! We went to the same park but this time we rode the public bus and met 56 kids from an orphanage. Luckily they brought 6 teachers and staff members from the orphanage (Tsaregrad). These kids are from a VERY small town a little big away from Balti. For most of these kids and adults it was their first trip into a city. Tsaregrad is one of the same orphanages that our team visited last year, but since then they have had no other visitors. It was really fun when we first saw the kids because some of the kids recognized our returning team members. It was so joyful for the kids! They got to ride the ferris wheel, a small roller coaster and a swing ride. The kids absolutely LOVED it all! After the rides we went to a pizza place. Again, this was the first time that both the kids and the adults had ever had Mountain Dew and pizza. They actually liked it! After lunch we went back to the park and played tons of games and did some crafts. We were worn out by the end of the day and so were the kids. They ended up falling asleep on the way back to the orphanage.
On Sunday we made a special trip out to Caprini where we went to church. It was so special that we got to visit that church. It was a beautiful church that is small and a wonderful evangelical church. After church we went back to Balti and had lunch then went to another smaller town where we met the Beginning of Life people. In that town we helped work a festival for the local townspeople. While at the festival, we blew up balloons, had stickers to give out, made THOUSANDS of bracelets, and painted THOUSANDS of faces. The people from the town LOVED it. The Beginning of Life people threw an awesome party. They provided a stage and huge speakers for music, and had bounce houses, a trampoline, and bars for a gymnast, then they had a fashion show! It was really fun to see the different ways that the town celebrated.
Today, we went back to work with the Women's Center. However, in the same block, there are several different centers. This morning half of us got to work with children with mental illnesses and the other half of us worked with older people with mental illnesses. Working with people with mental illnesses was very hard, but we had a lot of fun. We helped them make bracelets and danced with the older people. They even taught us a traditional Moldovan dance. After lunch we went back to the same area of centers and half of us worked with the Women's Center again while the other half worked with the Homeless Youth Center. At the Women's Center we taught them how to make headbands that they can sell at the market. We also got to teach the staff how to make the headbands and magazine necklaces so they can help teach the women as well. It was an amazing day.
We have finally arrived in Chisanau, home sweet home. From here on out we will have internet, so continue looking for updates. Sorry this one is so long. The others won't be as long. Also, please tell all your friends to watch our blog.
Love from Moldova.
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