Romania
CRWRC began its ministry in Romania in 1998. Over the past several years, CRWRC has been narrowing its focus across the world - going deeper in fewer places for greatER impact and increased efficiency. Because of this, CRWRC decided in 2007 to also change its focus in Romania. As of July 1, 2008 CRWRC will have changed from a staff approach to a funding involvement in Romania. CRWRC will continue to financially support existing agencies who work with local churches in their community outreach programs.
Gabi Achim will conclude his employment with CRWRC as of June 30, 2008. Sharon Bemis (CRWRC Program Hope! Intern) will continue to the end of her assignment through December 2008. CRWRC extends it's warm appreciation for the dedicated and faithful service of both Gabi and Sharon.
During the transition phase, Gabi Achim felt God's call to continue the ministry with churches in the South East part of Romania (near Bucharest). For this purpose, Gabi has launched a new Romanian non-governmental organization called Nehemiah Foundation for Development (Fundatia Neemia).
To continue support of CRWRC ministry in Romania, through it's current partnership and programs, donations can be sent to CRWRC, marked "Romania". To continue your support of Gabi Achim and Fundatia Neemia, please contact Gabi at achimg@crwrc.ro or achimg@gmail.com
Fast Facts
Population: 22,215,421 (July 2009 est.)
Area Comparative: slightly smaller than Oregon
Literacy Rate: 97.3%
Life Expectancy: 72.45 years
Population below the poverty line: 25% (2005 est.)
Gross Domestic Product per Capita: $12,200 (2008 est.)
Religions: Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)
Languages: Romanian 91% (official), Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2%
(From the World Factbook. CLICK HERE for more information on Romania )
CRWRC Partners in Romania
CRWRC has two partners in Romania:
Bonus Pastor Foundation (BPF)
BPF, which is affiliated with the Hungarian Reformed Church, is a program whose aim is to reach out to addicts and their families, offering them Christ-centered treatment, counseling and follow-up programs. Currently serving about 600 families, Bonus Pastor and its volunteers are committed to meet the needs of alcoholics, drug addicts, the poor and the homeless.
A few years ago, in partnership with Service Link, Partners Worldwide and volunteers from Canada, a new dairy farm project was launched. A lot of volunteer teams have helped in repairing farm buildings and preparing the site for activity. Through this program, community members (including a number of recovering alcoholics) are able to run a farm, produce & sell milk, and earn an income. It is expected that the farm will make profit over the next year, which will be used to support the ministry of BPF.
Diakonia Foundation (Fundatia Diakonia)
Diakonia, a diaconal ministry of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Transylvania, serves as a medical and social outreach to people from a variety of ethnic and socio-cultural backgrounds. CRWRC supports Diakonia's work in Cluj and Mera. This includes programs in:
a) Community development
- In Cluj - a one-year project to help bridge the cultural gap between Romanian and Hungarian youth in the city. Youth from Romanian and Hungarian high schools are developing posters on certain topics which will be displayed together,showing that even if they are of different ethinic backgrounds, they have very similar needs and understandings.
- In Mera - an afterschool program for students that provides them with homework assistance and help with their writing, while also providing games, crafts, and singing. There is also a new program to help women from Hungarian and Roma (gypsy) ethnic background come together for fellowship and to improve their community.
b) Justice Education
- This program is designed to aid community members in obtaining legal documents (ID, birth certificates) so they can be employed. Participants can also receive information about job opportunities through the Employment Office.
Research & Development
CRWRC Romania is working with FHI-DC, a local partner in Romania, to see how they can best work together to improve communities. They are also exploring relationships with Pro Christi et Ecclesia and Dorcas Romania.
Zsuzsa Bakk – Zsuzsa has been working as a consultant for CRWRC since November 2005. She has a BA in Sociology and an MA in Community Development. During college, Zsuzsa worked on a research project that focused on interethnic communication, and participated in a research exploring the community of the Hungarian Baptist young people in Romania. Her native language is Hungarian. She also speaks English, Romanian, and German.
EMAIL: zsuzsab@crwrc.ro
Sharon Bemis - International Staff Intern
(July 2006-September 2008)
Read about Sharon's experiences by visiting her blog.
EMAIL: bemis91@hotmail.com
CRWRC Staff Newsletter from Romania
Take time to read a staff newsletter- direct from the field!
Bemis_Sept2008.pdf
Bemis_June2008.pdf
Bemis_March2008.pdf
Bemis_Dec2007.pdf
Bemis_Sept2007.pdf
Bemis_June2007.pdf
Bemis_Mar07.pdf
Bemis_Dec06.pdf
Romania_Jun06.pdf
Romania_Jun05.pdf
Romania_Jan05.pdf