RCE's 'Houses'..

In 2007 RCE entered into partnership with the Romanian Government to run the 'Darius Houses'. They are recuperative homes for abandoned, disabled children. Each of three houses is home to 8-10 children. Most of the children who live in the 'Darius Houses' attend RCE's Sunshine School, which is only a short walk away. Some of the other higher functioning children attend a city school.

Darius House Team

The Darius Houses have a large staff of assistants for the children, two cooks, two nurses, a psychologist, social worker, book keeper and a director. For the children who need it, one on one and group physical therapy and speech therapy is available through the Sunshine School. RCE Social Team and Sunshine School psychologists also play a vital role in helping the children.

Maria the cook

Maria the social worker

RCE's Social Team/Speranta Copiilor is always at work trying to find families for the children. They go out to individuals, organizations and churches to generate interest in the adoption and placement of these needy kids. Several children  have been placed in families from the Darius Houses and just this week Elisie will move out of RCE's care and into HIS new family!

Lucian

Andrea, Darius House Staff

Elena

The Darius House Team is lead by Lucian Bradean, Maria the social worker, Ruben the psychologist, and Elena who helps keep the books. All work collaboratively with other RCE staff to assure that the children under RCE's care at the Darius Houses receive the best care possible.  When the kids 'age out' of the Darius Houses and have goals directed toward independent living and possible job training, they could make a move across the RCE yard to 'Amy's House'.

Ghitza, Otto and Manu of Amy's House

 
Amy's House opened nearly one year ago in May of 2010. It is a recuperative home where three teenage boys live with house parents who also happen to have three of their own children. The boys, Manu, Ghitza and Otto are learning daily living skills such as dressing, keeping their rooms clean, cooking, dishwashing and even helping with yard work.

Krista teaching Manu how to use the rake

Otto took a try and volunteering stocking shelves at a local grocery store and Manu has expressed interest in washing cars. Ghitza is a very hard worker and is a terrific help around Amy's House. Krista and Adi are the house parents. Their job is to help guide and develop the boys and to teach them basic skills with the goal of future independent or semi-independent living.Thanks to the Boyle family and the generous support of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, MD, Amy's House is helping to brighten the future of these boys, who spent many years in the state orphanage system in Romania.

 Updates:
 - The traffic in Arad has gotten really bad over the past few years. So bad, in fact, that the mayor recently canceled much of the school bus service for the city so the roads wouldn't be as busy.

- I finally visited the woman who had the stroke in her home yesterday. She's had a pretty bad stroke and is very impaired unfortunately. Given the fact that she was aphasic and I didn't speak her language (going through a translator made things even more confusing for her) my time with her was made even more challenging.  But, I was able to teach the family a few things and hopefully she'll make some improvement over time with their assitance.

Alex and Emma

- Last Sunday, I had the 'privilege' of driving Alexandru and Emma of the Darius Houses home after they spent a day at church and having lunch with the Martin family. The kids are 9 and 10 years old and understand/speak very little English.  They were astounded when they heard I was going to drive them to the Darius Houses. They said (in Romanain).."Marti knows how to drive!?"  They sat in the back seat and when I put the key in the ignition and the car actually started they yelled "Bravo Marti!"  Then as I drove through the city they sweetly said.. 'rosu Marti', 'verde Marti', as I approached red (rosu) and green (verde) traffic lights...just in case I didn't see them.

- Capra update.. just today we FOUND a family who is very excited about receiving a brand new goat (capra)! We had one family all lined up and the goat delivery was to be yesterday, but then the family changed their mind and decided they wanted two pigs instead. So if all goes well I'll be able to finally report on the goat delivery sometime in the next couple of days..stay tuned!

Romanian Words of the Day:

Goat= capra (cap-ra)
Meeting= sedinta (sha-din-sa)
Green= verde (vear-day)
Red= rosu (ro-shay)

IMPORTANT NOTE:  There's still lots to share, but only a few more days left in RO. So be on the look out for 2 blog postings per day from here on out...