Dreaming to Teach Music!

Here is the story of one Cristina who wants to change lives through music and will be helped by the Motivation and Performance program.

“Cristina is 19 years old and she is living in a group home near Targu Mures. She is a quiet young woman who loves reading, children and singing. She has graduated from high school and is currently in her first year of college, studying Primary School Pedagogy. Her dream is that after graduating from college she would be a music teacher in the public school system. As she has no income at the moment the Motivation and Performance program allows her to print and purchase all the text books her studies require so she can become the best teacher she can be and to teach children love music as much as she does.”

The Motivation and Performance program aims to provide support to young people who have achieved favorable results in domestic and/or international cultural events - art, sports, technical, scientific or have personal talents that have been recognized (art, sports, culture, music, education, etc.). With this scholarship, young people will be able to improve their school results or  seek training or specialization to develop in the areas they are most passionate about. The Motivation and Performance Scholarship wants to help fulfill the dreams of young people who have set a goal and are striving to achieve it.

Would you like to partner with us on this project? We are looking to bring on 25 new $12 for 12 partners to join us in changing these young lives! Click on the link below to help!

CLICK HERE TO HELP TODAY!

Learning the Romanian Culture!

Learning the Romanian culture was one of the main reasons why Another Child Foundation leadership decided to send these 2 wonderful ladies to Romania so early in their careers with our organization. We are hoping that they will see why God has called us to their part of the world. Not just to see the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs, but to come to see, love and appreciate their culture. The more posts we read from these ladies the more I know God is working!

Today the one and only Gabi picked us up from our hotel and took us on a beautiful drive from Tarnaveni to Targu-Mures. On the way, we stopped at the top of Tarnaveni and could see the entire city! It was breathtaking! Our stop happened to be at a cemetery, which was a little creepy since the Romanians bury their deceased above ground..yikes. We've asked Gabi literally a million questions (and she still likes us for some reason!) about the ins and outs of how Buckner Romania works, the children and people we serve, and the Romanian people and country in general. Why have Google when we have Gabi?! She is a HUGE blessing to our ministry. We've gained so much interesting information that I can't wait to share with my family and friends! While in Targu-Mures we got to eat some yummy Romanian and Hungarian food and dessert. One of the best parts of the day was getting to meet a couple of the wonderful kids from the group homes who are in our Motivate and Perform program. They were both very bright, friendly, and excited about using their scholarship money to further their education. We were very grateful for the chance to get to know each of them! We also went shopping in the market where local vendors sold their uniquely Romanian handmade treasures! Romania feels like a second home, and we will be counting the days until we can come back.   - Alicia Carter

A look at the small city of Tarnaveni, Romania

Downtown Targu-Mures, Romania

Unworthy or Blessed?

It will probably be Sunday morning or afternoon before you read this blog post from our other new Ministry Development Manager Kirsten Litton. Kirsten does a great job describing her feelings with this awesome post. Please read it carefully. Lots of good stuff in here.

Kids praying before their meal
at the Point of Hope

Our time in Romania has gone by so fast! I think their clocks run twice as fast as ours! Today was another awesome day with the kids... But it was extra special because we were able to spend alot of free time with the preschoolers today. And because of so many generous people back home we were able to use the newly remodeled room upstairs for the first time. For you and I it's not a big deal to have a place to stretch out, for our kids to have room to move around and get their wiggles out while being indoors. But most of these beautiful Roma children share a one room "apartment" that is smaller than most people's walk in closets, with no running water, no beds, a dirty couch or chair maybe, and they share this room usually with multiple siblings and their parent (s). So my heart just burst watching these kids as we played duck duck goose, and they danced and rolled around on freshly laid carpet because they could! And then my heart was warmed again and was grateful for the many people who give to ACF that made that moment and many more to come possible. We are so blessed by the staff we have at the center. They completely love these kids. They are so tenderhearted and amazing at what they do. They run like a fine oiled machine. Making meals, doing crafts, bringing people in from schools to talk with the kids, helping older kids with homework, as many of them have no place in their home to even do homework... And doing camps and so many other programs. Visiting the children in their homes when they don't come to school... Earning the trust of these families. Being in the trenches every day. And the kids love and respect them right back. I collected extra hugs from the kids today because I know it's the last time on this trip that I will see them. And they are the sweetest tightest little hugs you've ever had. I'm so excited to some day bring my family and friends back with me so you all can experience and know the wonderful feeling of helping to change these little lives. I'm not able to communicate my heart thru the words that I write how blessed I feel to serve these kids. I'm truly not worthy of such a blessing but God seems to think differently. I have so many more moments to share with you all and can hardly wait to get home and get together with you all! Blessings-Kirsten

Kirsten & Alicia

Our Mission!

The Learning Journey Continues!

For those of you following the experiences of Alicia and Kirsten thank you. I know they will be so excited to be able to personally share much more about their experiences than just a few lines on a blog post. However, I know they have had a awesome experience and the staff in Romania has been treating them very well. Both, Alicia and Kirsten have told me how much they appreciate the dedication and professionalism of the entire Fundatia Buckner staff in Romania.

Below is a post for Alicia Carter.

Today we got to spend more wonderful time with the sweet Roma kids. I'm amazed at the joy and love they all display despite the state of poverty they are constantly surrounded by, except when they are at the Point of Hope. I struggle to put into words how emotional these last two days have been. I'll deeply miss the kid's constant smiles, hugs, a precious little hand always holding mine, or sweet voices constantly greeting us with a gracious "hello!" or "good morning!" at all times of the day =) I really don't want to leave them. I wish I could stay and remind them every day that Jesus loves them and has a wonderful plan for their life and reassure them when they doubt that they CAN dream and dream BIG! But I also can't wait to get home and share all of the stories we have and the information we've gained so we can do our best to help raise awareness about what God is doing in the lives of these amazing Roma kids!

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me."
Matthew 25:40, 35‭-‬36‭

I can't just sit at home and live my "comfortable" life knowing how much these children are suffering. I must do my part to help them. These children need a voice, and I'm blessed to have been chosen to be just one of many that God is rising up!  -Alicia

Stolen Hearts!

Kirsten Litton and Alicia Carter

Today we received our first 2 bits of feedback from the new Another Child Foundation employees in Romania. Below are their 2 posts. I have told them that we want pictures of them with the kids for tomorrow. So come back again tomorrow to see visual evidence that Alicia and Kirsten are actually in Romania spending time with the kids.

Romania has stolen my heart! 

We've only been in Romania for 3 days, and we have already done so much and learned so much about its beautiful country and wonderful people! We were able to visit the gorgeous Bran Castle, drive past many historical fortresses, and travel through breathtaking

mountains. I couldn't have imagined a more stunning country! Today the moment we have been waiting for finally arrived! We got to meet the kids at the Point of Hope! To know them is to love them. So many of the Point of Hope children, unlike my own kids, didn't need a "warm up period." Instantly they grabbed our hands, hugged us, or jumped right on our laps as if we were their long lost friends. But we aren't just "friends". These precious kids are part

of my family now, a forever part of my heart. Every second I spent with them, I felt such a strong urge to find more ways to help grow our ministry..to reach and help more kids. We

got the opportunity to see where they live, and I was so devastated for them. My heart broke for their parents, who with embarrassment welcomed us into their homes. Many of the older children today were able to express what they want to be when they grow up. It was amazing to hear that they now have hopes and dreams for their future! I pray that hope would spread to their parents and to their friends in their community!   - Alicia Carter

Hello from Romania! Our trip here has been so wonderful. Romania and it's people are  very beautiful.  Everything we've done in getting here has been completely out of our comfort zone. But the people have been nothing but hospitable in making us feel at home. We've toured Dracula's castle-my first ever castle visit, stayed the night at a hotel surrounded by beautiful mountains... And those things were amazing, but nothing compares to spending time with the Roma children at the Point of Hope Center. We spent the whole day today learning, watching and seeing first hand how and what they do there. The kids will easily capture your heart! We went into their community and saw their living conditions, and that was very hard to see. But they are so full of life and so smart and so eager to hug you and hold your hand. We don't need to speak the same language. In fact, they are quite good at "telling" you what they want! The day has been exhaustingly wonderful. I don't think I've ever hugged and held hands with or had so many little people on my lap as I have today. And I loved every second of it. They love to have their pictures taken and surprisingly are quite savy with a smart phone.. Even the three year olds! The love of Jesus that is being poured into them at the center, all the effort of the staff and volunteers and the dreams and plans that they have for the children and there community leave no doubt in my heart that I am doing the work that God has prepared in advance for me. I'm in complete awe that he would ask me-a nothing special from Illinois to embark on a journey that is and will change many lives and give hope to a people that otherwise have none.   - Kirsten Litton

Kits for Kidz donations needed!

     Do you remember the days of school supply shopping? I know for my daughter and I it was always a very special day. For some unknown reason we just enjoyed going to the local store and buying the needed school supplies needed for the upcoming school year. Of course, we would have the  list supplied by the school but we always found those special extra things needed to make her school experience special. I think it was because we both like to be organized that prompted this desire to have everything she needed to be the best student she could be.

     In Romania the children have the same desires that our kids have, but unfortunately they do not have the resources to simply go and buy everything they need to be the best students they can be. That is where you can help! The Point of Hope Development Center is in need of 250 of the customized school kits that ACF and Fundatia Buckner have put together to help these children get off to a great start to the school year. ACF partners with Staples on this exciting project.

Each school kit includes:

• 6 colored ball-point pens
• box of colored pencils
• box of crayons
• box of colored markers
• box of #2 pencils
• ruler
• erasers
• glue (sticks & bottles)
• water paints & brushes
• scissors
• construction paper
• writing paper

     The overall value of each kit is easily worth $18 when these items are on sale. With our partnership with Kits for Kidz and Staples we are able purchase these for only $12. So, can you help us? So far we have collected enough support for about 60 of the 250 needed. We would also like to provide these children with a new back-pack. Kits for Kidz can also provide these for us at $9 each. To help with this great project please CLICK the link below!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!

Breaking through Barriers UPDATE!

Last year we made the decision to complete the renovation of the third floor of the Point of Hope Development Center. This capital campaign was called "Breaking through Barriers" and had the purpose of renovating the remaining class-rooms into life-skill development rooms. This was a large under-taking due to the remaining rooms were completely stripped of anything with any value. All of the wiring and wood had been stripped from the walls when the building sat abandoned for several years. Well the renovation is UNDERWAY!

The donors who have made the Breaking through Barriers campaign a reality need to be recognized for their generous hearts! Thanks to each of you for your support of this project.

New ceilings being installed

In May we will be concentrating our efforts on the new restroom for the children. This 3rd floor restroom will be a welcome addition. Currently, the children would have to run to the second floor to go to the bathroom or to simply wash their hands. This restroom will benefit the children tremendously! You can see pictures of what the 3rd floor looked like before we started the renovation and how it is progressing.

The end results will be magnificent! The 125 children we serve on a daily basis will have access to a preschool play area for those times when playing outside are not conducive, a wood-working classroom, and sewing/fabrics classroom, and a cooking classroom. These 4 new rooms along with a new restroom will give our children a chance to develop some valuable life-skills needed to survive in their environments.

ACF is so very thankful to ALL of our supporters for their commitment to these children. The Breaking through Barriers campaign had 2 goals. First, was to raise the $43,000 needed to complete the renovations. The second goal is to raise an additional $17,000 for the ongoing costs of the program for 2 years. We have successfully raised the first $43,000 and are now working on the $17,000. If you feel called to support the completion on this project you can click on the link below to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Everything cleaned and ready to renovate!

Lights being installed

New windows!

Progress :)

New doors installed!

Our God is So Good!!

How good is our God? Last week He opened the door for us to reach even more children with the Good News of the Gospel! It is so very obvious that the Spirit of the Living God is at work in this small community of 24,000 people. I am quite sure that many of these children were hearing this Good News for the first time in this way. ACF is blessed to be part of something this AWESOME!

“Whoever wanted to have fun during spring break registered for the ‘Spring School’ organized at Point of Hope. However, this was not a normal school, but a very special one which offered: Bible stories, crafts, sports and games, music, face painting, ping pong, a lot of fun and the opportunity for the children to make new friends. This ‘school’ did not address the children of Point of Hope, but children from Tarnaveni who attend schools located downtown, children who have never been at Point of Hope before, and might have never heard about it. The team of Point of Hope did a great job setting up for a two day program which was first offered on Monday and Tuesday, to 56 children (1^st to 4^th graders) from the Traian Gymnasium, and on Wednesday and Thursday to 60 children from the Avram Iancu Gymnasium. The most exciting things about this project were: first, this was a great opportunity to reach out into the community – getting to know kids from other backgrounds and letting them get to know us, while also establishing contact with their parents and building their trust in what Buckner Romania and ACF are doing in Tarnaveni. The second great thing was the opportunity to offer Bible teaching to these children, reminding them about the true meaning of Easter, beyond chocolate bunnies and colored eggs. It was a great experience for all of us to meet and to serve these children this way, and their smiles and eagerness to learn and to do new things were very rewarding. We feel that this was a great step toward the community of Tarnaveni, letting people know that we are there to make a difference and to be a blessing to them all.”