Concordia Abmassadors about Life with Concordia

Mihael, Republic of Moldova

After his parents divorced, Mihael's mother became addicted to alcohol. He and his little sister were placed in their grandmother's care, but at her age she was no longer able to take responsibility for the two children. Shortly before he was supposed to start school, Mihael came to Concordia Moldova. At the beginning, he still hoped to be picked up or at least visited by his family every day, but over time Concordia became his family.

He has now been living in Casa Ignatius for several years. After attending a music school, it was his dream to earn his money as a musician. Today, the 22-year-old is successfully studying trombone and piano at university in Moldova.

Alexandru, Romania

At 5 months old, Alexandru was given away by his mother and admitted to the emergency hospital. When he was one year old, he was placed with Concordia Social Projects. Alexandru grew up at the "Farm of the Children" of Concordia Social Projects in Ariceștii/Romania and the family-like living group.

He has already fulfilled his childhood dream - to one day study geography at the University of Bucharest. Alexandru has made peace with his family. Now he motivates his younger sister to participate in everything that has to do with education.

Vadim, Republic of Moldova

Vadim is 24 years old and has been living in Concordia's social centre in Nisporeni (Republic of Moldova) for 4 years. Before that, he had no home.

Vadim is physically impaired, which did not prevent him from completing training as an IT administrator. Next, he wants to get his driving licence.

"Most people tell me I won't make it, but I will because I have the desire. I always manage to move forward."

Ema, Romania

At 23, Ema already looks back on a life full of trials, fears, changes and questions. There are many questions she had been asking herself since childhood - since she was a little girl living alone on the street. When she was seven years old, a priest found her on the street and brought her to the Concordia St. Paul Centre. Ema then spent 14 years in family-like living groups - Concordia became Ema's home.

Today she is a student at the Faculty of Social Work in Bucharest and is preparing to become a social worker because she wants to help other children who, for various reasons, cannot grow up with their parents. From her own experience, she knows the challenges of children and young people growing up "in care".

Tatiana, Republic of Moldova

Tatiana was one of the first children that Concordia took in at their then newly founded facility in Pirita, north-east of Chişinău/Republic of Moldova. Her parents had died, and so Tatiana had to grow up with many other children without any connection to her family of origin. This had a great impact on the young woman and gave her a clear vision of what she wants to pass on to her children for their lives.

For them, she wants the family home and maternal care she never had. Tatiana is now a grown-up, very reflective woman and has found her own family, her home. And yet it is hard. Since the outbreak of the Corona crisis, Tatiana's family has received our support with food parcels to get them through this difficult time.

Ionut, Romania

Ionut grew up in a state care facility in Romania. The transition to an independent adult life was difficult for him. When Ionut was about to end up on the street, he heard about CONCORDIA and our programmes for young people from care institutions. We offer courses like the Independent Living Skills course, which prepares young people for independent living, we advise on the right career choice and support with housing options.

Ionut was happy to have found a roof over his head at CONCORDIA. At the CONCORDIA vocational school, he began training to become a waiter. His commitment led to him now teaching himself as a training assistant in the waiter course. In the meantime, Ionut is on his way to an independent life, he is going back to school and wants to catch up on his high school diploma.