Romania
Romania’s Forgotten Children, May 2002
Ten years after working in Negru Voda Orphanage, Romania as an aid worker, I returned as journalist. Despite the huge input of aid in the previous 10 years there was little sign of any real improvement. Many of the children I had worked with were still there and their futures looked bleak.
Georgie lies on his bed in the Orphanage, Negru Voda which is home to 360 children. Many of them, like Georgie, have never been to school.
Many of the children in Negru Voda, like those pictured in this room, are severely traumatised. Before the arrival of aid in 1991, they had never been outside the confines of the hospital. Ten years later little has changed and this room is still shared by 12 children.- The main road outside Negru Voda orphanage. Many towns like Negru Voda were cut off for years from the outside world before the fall of Ceausescu and most residents of the town didn't know that the orphanage, full of 360 children, existed before the arrival of Western Aid in 1991.
- Sorin is 19 years old and has lived in Negru Voda since he was three years old. He has little prospect for the future, other than being transferred to an old people's home.
- Many children in Negru Voda don't speak or communicate through years of neglect. Despite a huge relief effort following the fall of Ceausescu, for many this help arrived too late. This fifteen year old boy sits in this position every day. Many, like him, were severely beaten and abused and have never received the therapy they need.
- Romania has one of the highest HIV/AIDs infection rates in Europe. The healthcare system was starved under Ceausescu and needles were frequently reused. This is the first round of blood testing for the 360 children which took place in 2002 - ten years after help first arrived.
- A ward in Negru Voda Hospital. Many children like Emmanuel in the foreground cannot walk - left sitting three to a bed for years, their leg muscles failed to develop properly.
- Many of the children have severe behavioral problems - the staff do not know how to handle them so drug them heavily to sedate them on a regular basis.
- A ward at Negru Voda. The children rarely go outside as there are few nurses to watch over them.
- Nicolae is fourteen years old and has been in Negru Voda since he was two. Unable to walk talk or feed himself his favorite pastime is sitting by an open window.
