Moldova: Help for Children with Disablities

As the poorest country in Europe, children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable in Moldova. There is no adequate care or therapy for them. Jeannine Schiller and Hilfswerk International provide loving and appropriate therapeutic care for the children in two centers. A second focus of Hilfswerk International in Moldova is to inform young people about the democratization and motivate them to take part in forming their country's future.

Since 2001, Hilfswerk International has been helping people in the Republic of Moldova on their way to a better future. Moldova is the poorest country in Europe. A stable social care is unthinkable. Children with special needs and their families suffer particularly from this. Therefore, children with disabilities have had a special place in our aid projects for more than 15 years - not least because of the great support of the Hilfswerk International Ambassador for Children in Need: Jeannine Schiller.

Democracy is indispensable to lead the country out of the crisis in long term and to ensure social security. In a current aid project we are also working on improving the level of information the young voters in Moldova have about democratic elections. We promote them to use their right to vote and take the opportunity to participate in shaping their country.

There is a lack of adequate assistance for children with disabilities and their families in Moldova. The Hilfswerk International Ambassador for Children in Need, Jeannine Schiller, cannot accept that and launched a project for children in 2004: She established three centers for children with disabilities; one of them is already in local hands for further operating.

In the Blue Bird center in Hincesti and in the Soul Drops center in Pripiceni children with disabilities from low-income families are promoted. The main focus of the centers is to create a safe environment for children with severe and multiple disabilities. In this environment children can develop well and according to their age. The therapy centers are similar to a kindergarten or a school and offer children with disabilities urgently needed therapies, basic care, education and leisure activities. The social integration of the children is strengthened in games and sport.

The Jeannine Schiller therapy centers promote the children’s’ independence, so that they can take their lives into their own hands as much as possible. Parents are given the opportunity to participate in all activities. In the parental school, mothers and fathers learn pedagogical approaches which have a direct and positive influence on the possibilities for the development of children with disabilities in Moldova.

Jeannine Schiller is committed with great enthusiasm and personal commitment to the children in Moldova: 

The electoral participation among young voters is very low in Moldova. There is a lack of interest and understanding for democracy and the importance of participation in democratic elections. However, in order to show the country a long-term way out of poverty, it is imperative that the youth actively shape the future.

Hilfswerk International organizes information campaigns which are tailored precisely to the target group - informing the young people and encouraging them to vote. Young voters have the opportunity to ask their questions about upcoming elections and the electoral system. Therefore we teach electoral advisors who will inform young people in 24 municipalities in Moldova and prepare as best as possible for the democratic elections.