Who we are

Since 1991, Link Romania has been working to make a difference in the lives of poor and needy people in Eastern Europe. Although the needs of the people no longer make headlines in the west, they are still as pressing as ever:

What Does Link Romania Do to Help?

Our approach is to take the love of God to the poor in practical ways. Although many and various, our projects are all aimed at helping individuals get a new start in life:

We have had a lot of queries since Romania became part of the EU in January 2007. Political changes of this kind take years to alter the lives of the ordinary people significantly and for those we help, the poorest, the socially ostracised, the homeless - it may be decades.

Does Romania still need our help now it Has joined the EU?

YES - We are glad that Romania has joined the EU. It is now entitled to access funds that will help rebuild their infrastructure - their roads, schools and hospitals. Cities will get rebuilt and people that are educated and have possibilities will flourish. However Link Romania isn’t working with these people. We‘re working with the very poorest and most marginalised and these people aren’t going to receive any help for many years to come. They will of course benefit from better roads etc but while they have no money to access education, hospitals or pay the higher prices for goods that will appear in the shops - they will get poorer.

Link Romania is pledged to help the people that the state doesn’t help. Romania as a country will become richer but it will take time for this to filter down to the bottom of society where we are working.

Does Romania still need our shoeboxes this year?

YES - It is difficult to describe how grateful people are for such simple things. The stationary items are greeted with such smiles by the children you would have thought you had given them the most expensive present on earth rather than felt tips! The same reaction by the older people when they received their gifts of shampoo and soap. More tears than you can imagine. Some of the people that we give shoeboxes to really do have nothing and it was hard to go into places that you wouldn’t allow a dog to live in. Just mud houses at the mercy to the weather without water, electricity or heating. Small children playing on the mud floors of their houses as flies buzz around their heads. Washing facilities that consist of a bucket and a plastic bowl. Kitchens that are one ring and few utensils. This is terrible poverty and we need to be helping these people.

Does Link Romania do anything else for the rest of the year?

YES - We support projects that fight the war on poverty all year round.

We employ Romanian nationals to work amongst their own people to help rebuild lives and communities.

As you know, Link Romania has always had a policy of seeking out the people who have a real and immediate need. The poor and homeless whom we help cannot wait for the possible future effects of the EU reforms and grants as they are needy today. Maybe one day, there will be an end to these terrible poverty conditions but until then, we will continue to put ourselves in the breach. If you are still asking if Romania still needs help now it has entered the EU remember that the UK which is considered rich still has homeless charities, refuges, and a need for services for the poor and disadvantaged. Romania needs even more help.

Please think about making a financial gift to Link Romania in some way in the next year. We really do need your help. Think about joining the 500 for £5 club to help Link Romania fight the war on poverty – think about making a gift either by cheque or donating on-line.

Why do we work in Moldova?

Background

• Moldova is Europe’s poorest country, 4.4m residents average earnings 1/40th of those in the UK.
• Social infrastructure is basic: 1% of rural households have an indoor bathroom and 4% have sewage and running water systems. Life expectancy is 11 years less than in the UK.
• Outside of Chisinau there is widespread poverty and unemployment (as high as 80% in some areas).
• 1 in 4 men leave the country to find work elsewhere and many children are sent to ‘orphanages.’
• People trafficking, alcoholism and corruption are also major problems.

Why do we work in Albania?

The charity works in villages around the area of Dedje in the very northern part of Albania. In the the villages we work in:-

78% have 4-9 people living in their house
96% have no running water
89% do not have their own well
85% walk between 0.5km – 1km to get water
90% monthly income is less than £100 a month