Disability therapies for 1,300 children in Moldova

Dear Supporter,

Thanks to your generosity, children at the Tony Hawks Centre in Moldova are receiving life-changing therapy that gives them the best possible start in life.

From babies in their earliest stages of development to older children with complex needs, your support is helping prevent long-term challenges and opening doors to brighter futures. Early intervention therapies are making a profound difference. By working with children from a very young age, specialists can identify delays early and provide targeted support that improves development and prevents more serious difficulties later in life. Families are also supported with guidance and reassurance, empowering them to care for their children with confidence.

Music therapy has become a powerful and joyful part of this journey. Through rhythm and sound, children are encouraged to express themselves, build relationships, and explore the world around them. This approach fosters social and emotional well-being, helping children gain confidence and form meaningful connections. It also improves motor and sensory skills, strengthening coordination and body awareness, while enhancing communication and speech — giving each child a voice in their own unique way.

Children like Diana can communicate through music therapy, using rhythm and sound to express themselves, helping them connect with others and grow in confidence within a nurturing environment.

Your support is not only helping children grow — it is transforming lives, strengthening families, and building a more inclusive future.

Thank you for making this work possible.

With gratitude,

ChildAid to Eastern Europe

Dear Supporter,

As promised in our previous report, here is a brief update on the progress of the Occupational Therapy programme in Moldova. Since 2019, this initiative has worked to overcome resistance and lay the foundation for Occupational Therapy to be formally recognised in the country.

Over the years, with the support of the Tony Hawks Centre, Rotary, and your generosity, dozens of therapists have been trained, strengthening skills across Moldova and gradually shifting national attitudes towards disability care.

This longterm effort has now led to major national milestones:

• In 2025, the Association of Occupational Therapy was established.
• In January 2026, the Ministry of Education began the process of introducing a formal university Occupational Therapy programme — something once considered unlikely.

To embed occupational therapy more deeply in everyday life, the next phase will focus on homebased support. Over the coming 10 months, therapists will:

1. Assess children’s home environments
2. Identify barriers to daily activities
3. Recommend practical adaptations to increase independence

Together, we are making a real and lasting difference in children’s lives.

With gratitude,
ChildAid to Eastern Europe