One Child at a Time

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of daily life we need to be reminded of why we do what we do so I thought I would introduce you to our work “One child at a time" to remind you of why we continue in our quest to care for “Europe’s Forgotten Children”.

Everyone who visits St Margaret’s in Bucharest cannot help but to leave with one little boy having left a huge impression on them; Rafi!  Rafael, age 4 is a human whirlwind, he bombs about the courtyard in St Margaret’s on his tricycle, is inquisitive about everything and everyone and is always hungry!  For me, I know I have arrived in Romania when I open the gates to St Margaret’s and Rafi charges down the courtyard shouting “Mama” and launches himself at me. J

Rafi was born with a cleft palate (now repaired) and also suffers with Sticklers Syndrome and one of the indicators has been recurrent problems with both eyes. Whilst at St Margaret’s he has had operations to deal with the pressure building up as result of glaucoma, the removal of a fast growing cataract and operations to repair a detached retina in his left eye. Recently he was diagnosed with Hepatitis C (hepatitis means “inflammation of the liver”); just another “bump” in Rafi’s road. 

Despite all his problems, Rafi is a very happy and loving little boy.  He recently visited the Park with his friends from St Margaret’s and encountered a duck for the first time – you will see from the photo that he was a little unsure of it.  He also loves to help Tante Voica, our much loved cook at St Margaret’s, to sort the fruit to go in the juicer; his favourite is oranges.

On a recent supporters’ tour visit to St Margaret’s, Rafi had to be held at bay by Laurentiu, one of our drivers, lest he cleared the table of food prepared for the visitors!

In this post I have introduced you to only one of the children in our care; in future posts I will introduce to you to more; Rafi is only one of twenty children living in the care of Children in Distress at St Margaret’s, Bucharest.  They live a happy and safe life thanks to our wonderful supporters and love and care of our dedicated staff.  If you would like to sponsor one of our children or make a regular monthly donation to our work, please contact me at janerussell@childrenindistress.org.uk to discuss.

Jane x

Rafi "helping" sort fruit for the juicer

Rafi being "held at bay" during a recent supporters' tour by Laurentiu

Riding his tricycle before going to school recently

Meeting a duck at the local park for the first time!