Untitled

CASA SPERANTA - ROMANIA

Living with our children at Starcross, who enjoyed life so much, helped us recognize the tragedy of other children with AIDS, especially those in Romania. The fact that over half of Europe's children with AIDS were in Romania was concealed until after the fall of the cruel dictator Ceaucescu in 1990. International relief efforts focused primarily on improving the conditions of poverty and neglect in the institutions where children with AIDS were warehoused.

In 1991 we founded "Casa Speranta" (House of Hope) in Constanta, Romania. It was unique at that time in that it demonstrated an alternative to the institutions by letting the children live in a home-like environment.

American volunteers served as temporary foster mothers for children formed into stable family units of five. We converted an old hospital into modest apartments for six families at Casa Speranta. At that time children were summarily taken from their natural families and institutionalized when diagnosed HIV+. Our original 30 children came from institutions where they would have died within a few months not from AIDS but from starvation and neglect. In contrast, our foster mothers would spend hours holding the children and patiently coaxing them to eat and learn to again trust the world. It was over two years before the first child died at Casa Speranta. Half of them are still alive and doing very well. This model of care has had a tremendous impact. Now families with infected children are no longer forced to put them in institutions. A basic medical support system has been established for families in the area living with AIDS.

Brother Toby served as CEO from 1991-1994, visiting several times a year and having daily contact. In 1992 our on-site representative, Marolen Mullinax, began training Romanians to be foster mothers replacing the American volunteers. Working under her supervision, they have provided nurturing and stability in the lives of the children. About that time our friend, the late Rebecca Ault, set up a Montessori School within Casa Speranta. She returned frequently to provide further teacher training and keep tabs on this very successful school. Many of the older children are now attending local public schools - something no one would have dreamed possible a few years ago.

Marolen replaced brother Toby as CEO and served in residence from 1994-1999. Casa Speranta evolved into a well-known and respected model program. In 1997, an autonomous board was able to take over the responsibilities of Casa Speranta and we could step back. A new Romanian director was trained and replaced Marolen in 1999.

Back to Children

Back to Home Page