Every sponsored child in Romania is part of a family with great need. Many of the families’ main carers cannot work due to long term illness, with a high proportion suffering from cancer. So when the government, in response to the growing Coronavirus epidemic, ordered a lock down, BENITA acted fast. They bought a pack of provisions for every child and got them to the families.
BENITA is the Romanian charity that delivers Grassroots sponsorship to the children. BENITA did not ask Grassroots for financial help but just did what they knew needed to happen. Since then we have spoken and it is becoming clear that the lock down may go on a long time. If so, the initial bag of provisions will not be enough. It was designed to make a difference for a few weeks, not a few months.
Grassroots child sponsorship in Romania does not fund food and household needs. The £96 per year covers the cost of school uniform, school sports kit, a school bag, school books, shoes, some dentistry, a medical certificate (needed before being allowed in various activities) and sometimes a place at a Christian summer camp. Most of these things have already been given to the children at the beginning of the school year – in September 2019. But Grassroots would really like to help BENITA support these children, and possibly others they work with, through this crisis.
We think the best response is likely to be to fund BENITA giving each child’s family regular “food parcels”. By food parcel we mean a bag of essential provisions – ie: food, toiletries, cleaning stuff, etc. We are still working out the details with BENITA and have been careful not to promise until we are sure we can afford it.
Each “food parcel” costs about £20. If you feel able to help you can go here: ROMANIA Packs of Food or Soap or go here Give to Grassroots and select Romania in the drop down and on the next page write in the note field including the text “FOOD PARCELS”. Click to READ MORE and SEE MORE PHOTOS …..