Our history
We’re a UK founded in December 1989 and were intensely involved in many aspects of bringing relief to people in need – many of them survivors of Ceausescu’s appalling regime. Ceausescu and his wife ruled Romania for 24 years, from 1965 to 1989. The policies implemented brought austerity and suffering to the Romanian people through social engineering, rationing and corruption.
We were founded by leading Romanian exiles led by Ion Ratiu (1917-2000), distinguished Romanian diplomat, entrepreneur, publisher, writer and humanitarian. His life was devoted to the fight for democracy in Romania. “I will fight until my last drop of blood so you have the right not to agree with me!” (1990).
When Ceausescu’s regime collapsed, Ion Ratiu set up the charity where we’d become a major focal point of the UK’s generous aid response. We were soon involved in publicising the terrible plight of the children and adults in the orphanages and psychiatric hospitals following Ceausescu’s policies and rule.
We then played a significant part in coordinating the huge aid response to the Romanian orphans, transporting large quantities of emergency supplies and networking aid efforts to Romania.
However, we quickly saw the dangers of enthusiastic but unfocused aid and so led many of the more deliberate and organised aid groups on formative policies. Whilst donated toys and other materials were given with the best intentions, these were often broken and of little use to the orphans, as well as expensive to transport.
It was clear that following decades of oppression that more serious, long-term approaches were necessary. That is why we now help fund many long-term, community-based and national projects and campaigns helping the most vulnerable people of Romania for a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Our Projects
We help support our Romanian friends and partner charity with the following on-going projects
Social scholarships for disadvantaged young people
More and more studies show that the situation of children and young people in rural areas remains severe with the main cause being poverty and lack of economical development and opportunity. Due to poverty, half of the children in the country drop out of school ending...
The Glue Club
Children of disadvantaged families around Bacau struggle to find opportunities for education or social play and support. The Glue Clubs are several day centres within the area that provide safe, friendly and engaging educational activities. Each club provides support...
Home Care for Elderly
Worldwide, the number of people 65 or older is increasing faster than ever. We believe that everyone has the right to a quality of life as they grow older, irrespective of their gender, race, health or economic status. Elderly people deserve to live with dignity, free...
How you can help
Donate
Fundraising
Shop With Us
Latest News
New FSC project and a goodbye to a friend
New FSC project for Young people from Bacau! We are delighted to share the news that the Fundatia de Sprijin Comunitar have launched a Community Support Foundation project aimed at uplifting over 200 young people from rural areas. Through incentives such as an...
Summer is here! July activities
July has had fantastic weather in Bacau and the children of both the Glue Clubs and Summer Schools have enjoyed lots of outdoor and indoor activities! Last week the children from the Glue Clubs had a fantastic time celebrating St. Elijah. The sun was looking down as...
Save the planet & other activities
March and April have included many fantastic initiatives and activities! Find out more about three of our favourites below. The Fountain Glue Club and its little team of environmentalits learnt what it means to make a difference within the community that helps the...