Romanian orphanage survivor reveals shocking conditions

Romania has been grappling with the legacy of its Cold War orphanages, where children faced severe abuse and neglect. Olimpiu Cordea, who grew up in one of these institutions, described his traumatic childhood, which included being beaten and deprived of food. Despite the brutal environment, charity organizations like Hope and Homes for Children (HHfC) have been working since 1997 to close these orphanages and reintegrate children into family settings. Presently, HHfC estimates that 80% of the children in orphanages have living parents and emphasizes keeping families together as a primary goal. By providing support to impoverished families, the charity strives to prevent children from being placed into state care. In one significant achievement, an old orphanage in Sighetu Marmației was transformed into apartments for single mothers with their children, highlighting a successful shift towards nurturing environments instead of institutionalized care. However, challenges remain as some orphanages still operate in tough conditions, housing older children with special needs. The plight of Romania’s marginalized children draws continued attention, as about 700,000 live in dire circumstances without basic necessities like running water. The situation underscores the importance of charitable efforts and community support to address the deep-rooted issues caused by decades of institutional neglect.