“Cristian” house to open its doors in Romania

Even in the most advanced societies, having a mentally handicapped family member can put enormous strain on a household. In a developing country such as Romania, where there is an acute lack of infrastructure and specialists to deal with mentally challenged individuals, the task can prove impossible. According to the National Authority for People with Disabilities, more than 4,000 adults with mental disabilities live in the Timisoara area alone, while there are only 20 protected homes for them. Foreigners are aware of the terrible conditions of Romania’s orphanages, however most people are unaware of the plight of tens of thousands of mentally handicapped children and adults in Romania that are denied decent treatment due to lack of capable care centers or trained health workers.

“Everybody is entitled to dignity and respect. The most painful obstacle that people with mental disabilities face is the prejudiced attitude of some decision-makers in social assistance system sending them to isolation and refusing to give them a chance to live in community together with their friends, family and neighbors. Imagine how it would be to live all your life in a hospital with nothing to do, sharing a room with strangers you have not chosen, no personal property, no privacy, not being able to choose what you eat or wear,” comments Mrs. Laila Onu, executive manager at Pentru Voi foundation.

The Pentru Voi foundation and Habitat for Humanity Romania have teamed up to pull the public’s attention to the acute lack of adequate housing for mentally handicapped through building the “Cristian” house, a five bedroom care center that will offer the dignity and care the beneficiaries deserve. There, they will receive full time attention, can interact with others with similar disabilities and will benefit from the dignity and acceptance that a radical increase in the standard of living will bring.

On the eve of UN World Health Day, Habitat for Humanity Romania is striving to not only change the lives of those who will live in the “Cristian” house, but raise public awareness to the lack of adequate housing for tens of thousands of mentally handicapped Romanians. The community of Timisoara has already begun to respond to the call for help. Adrian Ciorna, president of Habitat for Humanity Romania, remarked: “The outpouring of support from the community, from companies like Vodafone Foundation, Smithfield, Baumix and Alcatel Lucent, who have brought not only donations but have gotten their hands dirty volunteering on the job site, from the local city hall and from everyday people who heard about “Cristian” house in the news and wanted to help out. People are ready to help those in need. We just need to support them.”


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