California to Romania
After the fall of the Romanian dictatorship in 1989, thousands of children, mandated by the communist dictatorship as a future workforce, began to be released from orphanages each year as they reached young adulthood. Without jobs and lacking social and technical skills necessary to become productive members of the local economy, these youths were literally turned out into the streets to fend for themselves in whatever way possible.
To resolve this problem a two-phase project to build, equip, and support the operation of a Trade School for boys and a Transition Home for orphaned Romanian girls was begun.
The Kiwanis Club of Ramona initiated Phase I, the Trade School Project, in the fall of 2001. In less than two years, with the help of many Division 37 Kiwanians and by working with another Ramona-based organization, Heart-to-Heart International Ministries, land was purchased, permits obtained, and construction of the Boys' Trade School was completed. A grant from Kiwanis International completed efforts to furnish and equip the shops and classrooms. Trade School classes began in the autumn of 2003.
On May 2, 2003, a group of young people participated in the Trade School's dedication ceremony.
The completed auto shop is pictured in the background.
"H2H" is a logo of Heart-to-Heart International Ministries.
The success of the Trade School Project was due to both the generosity of the supporters and the hard work of the individual representing sponsoring organizations.
In the photo, Pete Zindler (Kiwanis Club of Ramona, California) is sharing smiles with youngsters at one of the orphanages in Bucharest.
The often neglected children hunger for love and in a few years will thirst for the knowledge and skills that the Trade School will be able to provide.
We are now able to redirect our attention and focus our resources to Phase II, construction of the Girls' Transition Home. With few resources these young girls are leaving the orphanages at age 18 and living on their own in the fragile Romanian economy. The cost to purchase the land and build The Girls' Transition Home is $45,000. As of this date, Division 37 and others in San Diego County, have raised $35,000 toward our goal. Negotiations to purchase the land were successful, permits have been issued, and construction is under way. The home will house sixteen girls and provide them the opportunity for a better life.
This is a project worthy of our motto "Serving the children of the world," which we as Kiwanians should be proud of because we will make a difference in the lives of these children. Thanks for helping us help abandoned girls in Romania through the Girls' Transition House Project. Your gift is tax deductible and you will receive a receipt. Please make your check payable to:
Kiwanis Romanian Project
2633 Puebla Street
Escondido, California 92025
For more information e-mail
Joe and Jodi Heard or call 760 747-1215..
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