“The scholarship that I received from the Mission

was another sign that God loves me and He wants the best for me”

In Australia Education is expected. When our children are born, there is little doubt that when they turn five, we will deliver them to kindergarten, teary eyed. They will graduate, and depending upon their personal interests, they will most-likely pursuit an apprentice, or tertiary education. This is normal.

In Romania the reality is quite different.

Let me tell you Floarea’s story. She is an orphan, and was abandoned at birth. This innocent little girl spent her childhood in government-run orphanages. Her parents never visited her. As you can imagine, she felt very alone. Most of her friends at school had families; loving parents who were always close to support and nurture them. This saddened and frustrated Floarea because she felt that she was ‘different’.

Despite such a deep sadness, Floarea always dreamt of studying, with the hope of making her own contribution to her nation. This courageous young girl hoped that she might gain the opportunity of good employment and one day, a family. “I always hoped and dreamt of a good future”.

In Australia, such dreams are commonplace, and often realised.

In Romania, although each child is obliged by law to attend primary and secondary school, in reality this is not always financially viable. Although Education is considered highly valuable, for orphans like Floarea, education, particularly tertiary education, is often too expensive. Some children are often required to drop out of school and earn an income for their families. Further, many children who grow up in poor families or Children’s Homes are not encouraged by loved ones to dream or to attend school. Effectively, they are unable to keep-up with their peers. Because they are not motivated, most of them quit school.

Those who cannot get a job in a foreign country have few opportunities in Romania because unqualified workers receive minimum salary. For these people, poverty is a hard reality they are trapped in.

However, Floarea was brave enough to dream. “I did my best to make my dream come true. Of course, God is The One who is always close to me, helping me, guiding me and healing my soul’s wounds every time I think I don’t have power to continue.”

Floarea was offered a scholarship in July 2006 to attend university through MWB’s Scholarship program. She is now in her second year at the University of Bucharest’s Faculty of Management in Agriculture, Specialisation and Economical Engineering.

“The scholarship that I received from the Mission was another sign that God loves me and He wants the best for me. It is very difficult to attend a faculty if you do not have any support. I will never be able to thank God or to thank all the generous sponsors who support me- for all they have done for me,” commented Floarea.

MWB’s scholarship program involves over 200 students from Children’s Homes, like Floarea, and other youths from impoverished families to pay for their tuition at University. This scholarship also includes payment towards living costs, including rent, utilities, food supplies, books and other school supplies. It is our hope for the future that we may be able to expand this program to include more students.

Now Foarea lives at the University, boarding in the same room with five other students. Although the conditions are not great; she does not have a fridge, stove, iron, or a washing machine; the toilet and the bathroom are outdoors and during the winter, it is very cold because the room is not well heated, she does not complain.

Floarea tried to find a job, but she has a full schedule at the faculty and she would have to miss school if she was going to work, and she considers that at this time, school is much more important.

In her first year, she was required to pass 16 exams, in which she obtained good results. Her favorite course is Communications and Public Relations. Because of this specific interest, Floarea aspires to becoming a politician.

When asked to talk about her needs, Floarea said that she is very happy because God is close to her all the time, and offers her what she needs. Every Sunday Floarea attends church, and has great faith that God will continue to take care of her. Despite the fact that she does not have a computer or a printer, like most of her peers, and even though her clothes and shoes do not compare to what her mates wear, Floarea knows that she is very blessed in comparison with other youths who can’t afford to attend university.