Support 150 Tuberculosis Patients in Moldova

Speranta Terrei’s Centre for Tuberculosis Patients has been humming since reopening in the autumn. Our staff and those we serve are gratified to dance, eat a hot lunch, consult a doctor, and find a little respite in this warm spot.

In January, students and teachers from Ion Creanga High School in Balti organized a special Christmas party for Ukrainian children at our Centre. The Alexandru Budisteanu Foundation, named for a renowned graduate of Ion Creanga High School, offered teddy bears from its collection for distribution to Ukrainian refugee children in Balti.

Ion Creanga’s principal, Olga, along with student volunteers Carolina, Daria, Iana, Alina, and Paula, led the children in dances and games, then the children had a sweet surprise, a teddy bear to take with them. Mr. Alexandru Budisteanu (1928-2021) and his family collected these teddy bears from around the world and his Foundation gave these as a gift to ease the horrors of war for children. The children asked where the teddy bears came from and when the teachers explained about the collection, one of the girls gushed, “my teddy bear had such a long trip to come to me. I love him so much and I will play with him every day so he doesn’t feel lonely.” The Ukrainian children send a profound thank you to the Alexandru Budisteanu Foundation for this cuddly gift, added to the annual prizes the Foundation awards to Ion Creanga High School’s best students.

Speranta Terrei resumed winter hot lunches at our Centre for homeless persons who are screened and given treatment support for tuberculosis. On a recent Saturday, our Centre’s colorful kitchen filled with aromas of grated carrots, sliced onions, boiled cabbage, and pickled vegetables. Irina sautéed carrots and onions and then placed the filling in boiled cabbage leaves to make traditional Moldovan cabbage rolls. Snejana, Valentina, Margarita, and Dora helped to cook and serve lunch. They said,“we are happy to prepare a varied, full menu for those who find it most difficult to overcome life’s difficulties.”

At the lunch table set up in the conference room, another Irina, who has no documents and no prospect of leaving the street, was grateful for the tasty lunch and the chance to escape the cold. She and others at the table send their thanks to our GlobalGiving donors. And, Speranta Terrei thanks you for your donations, which give us the chance to add a little glow to the lives of Ukrainian children and Moldovan tuberculosis patients.