Updates–2026

Link to the Day Centre 2026 gallery here

January 2026 – The children had a good Christmas season with daily carol singing, and Oana our social worker managed again to have businesses provide presents. Sick children were visited at home.
The days ahead of Christmas, the children wrote letters to Santa, and like every year their requests were so modest. When a little girl was asked why she wasn't writing anything, she replied that she was afraid to ask for too much. Finally she did write that she wanted a doll and a chocolate bar. A little boy wrote that he wanted a sweater. When he was asked what else he wanted, he smiled and said he didn't want anything else, that would last him the winter.
Some children asked for toys, others asked for sweets, and then there were letters which asked for dad to be more at home, that parents wouldn't fight anymore, that mom would be healthy. One child opened his present very slowly as if he were afraid it would disappear. Another came to Oana with a toy in his arms and whispered asking if he could take it home and was it really his?
A little girl put a new piece of clothing she received over her old clothes and completely changed into someone who with dignity thought she was beautiful. The most touching thing was when a child received his present and without opening it, hugged it close to him and said he was taking it home to show his brother.
The children are well, happy and more courageous in their learning. They feel at home at the Centre, loved and encouraged. The hot meals help the children be energetic and concentrate on their schoolwork.They are making constant progress with their homework, even as it gets harder. More and more often they say with joy, "look, I got it myself!" We are helping them stay in school, which is our mission.
The new store is becoming an important part of the children's lives. They know that proceeds go to paying the Centre's utilities, and loving the Centre, they appreciate it all. The children are integrated in the store's activities so they can learn the meaning and value of hard work.