AMURTEL FAMILY CHILDREN’S HOME
At the AMURTEL Family Children’s Home, we offer safety, love, and hope to twelve children needing protection from situations of abuse and neglect. The home opened in 1995 and has since raised more than 20 children who are now adults, many with families of their own.
VISTARA HOUSE
Some of the children who grew up in the AMURTEL Family have intellectual disabilities that make it unrealistic for them to live completely independently. As there is a lack of semi-independent residential projects for young adults with special needs and without families, AMURTEL opened a house for them next to the children’s home. Presently there are two adults with a dignified home and the support they need to live as independently and fully as possible.
POVERTY AND ALCOHOLISM LEAD TO NEGLECT
Despite the great strides of progress that Romania has made since the fall of Communism, 46 percent of all children live in poverty, especially in non-urban areas. Although Romania entered the EU in 2006, rural areas lag, even in offering basic modern infrastructure such as running water and flush toilets. There are few local job opportunities and high rates of alcoholism and domestic violence. Child abuse and neglect are, unfortunately, far too common. This leads to Child Protection Services needing to find safe alternatives for such children. Especially when there are several children, the AMURTEL Family offers them the chance to be reunited with their siblings. One family of five children who were separated into different foster care and institutional settings and are now living together in the Home. AMURTEL Family is one of two private family-style homes in the county.
TRANSFORMING A CHILD’S FUTURE
We have transformed the life of a child like Geani, whose story you can watch in the short video on this page, by offering him everything he needs to recover and grow up well: nutritious food, educational support, therapy, loving care, and the chance to be a child again. Geani’s early years were spent in poverty, insecurity, hunger, and violence. He has been able to rebuild fresh new childhood memories, of camping trips, seaside vacations, bicycle rides, birthday parties, etc. with the generous support of our sponsors.
FOUNTAIN OF HOPE AFTER SCHOOL CENTER
In the same rural village, AMURTEL Romania runs the Fountain of Hope After School Center. Here 30 children, who are facing neglect, hunger, and an incomplete education, can get the support they need to finish school and remain with their families. At the Fountain of Hope, children receive hot meals, psycho-social counseling, and educational support. They also have lots of fun enjoying activities such as sports, art, and music. AMURTEL is breaking the cycle of poverty by helping children to succeed and dream higher!
AMURTEL’S ORGANIC FARM
AMURTEL runs an organic farm nearby, which provides fresh vegetables and fruits to the children of the AMURTEL Family. The farm is a model for regenerative agriculture, hosting different educational projects. We welcome volunteers to help on the farm, alongside the local women who manage and work it.
