In Romania’s orphanages, eighty-six percent of the children who are abandoned have at least one parent still living. The National Authority for Child Protection and Adoption in Romania estimates that there are 100,000 children living in orphanages - the majority have been left by poor mothers or families who feel that they cannot adequately provide for a child.

One of the project’s activities, designed by International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and the Romanian Orthodox Church, helps Romanian families become economically stable through job skills development and temporary assistance. Community support groups provide long-term guidance and assistance through coping strategies for parents and families who are reintegrating or adopting children.

Prevention is another key part of the program. In the village of Punghina, many children are malnourished and young mothers have little experience in caring for their children. A “Day Center” was created in Punghina to train twenty-four young mothers on basic child care skills. The Center also provides daycare services for the mothers so that they can work during the day.