Romania 

Since 2017, St John's have been supporting the building of a children's home in Central Transylvania, Romania, which not only houses orphans and former street children, but also works with local Romani communities who are marginalised and find themselves on the very edge of society. Every year we send a team of volunteers to continue work on the project, by building polytunnels and farm buildings, or through supporting children's work. The project also runs an Afterschool Club for children who want to learn, but who in many cases don't have a hot meal every day. The project aims to provide this meal 5 days per week. There is also a Baby Project that supports babies in their first year of life, where living conditions mean that often Mothers are unable to produce enough milk, and where sufficient nappies and clothing simply isn't an option.
 
Our yearly "500 Smiles" Christmas Shoebox project gives children from these communities quite literally the only present they will receive at Christmas time. Working with local schools, community groups and of course church members, we now send over 800 boxes every December, simply to let these children know that they are loved and that somebody cares about them. If you are interested in knowing more about the project, or being part of a trip, please contact the church office in the first instance, who will put you in touch with the project coordinator.

The film below shows the work of the baby project and the difference it makes within these communities: