The wealth of the poor. The exchange of family homes in Romania. Ria Verschueren

Foreword

This report captures the experiences from the project Romania, by Ter Loke (2008-2009). The project aimed to exchange and support to create family homes, and especially asistance for young people in Belgium and Romania.

Ria Verschueren was commissioned by Ter Loke into the project work for more than a year. And even earlier, she took Romanian language courses, with the purpose to communicate with people in their own language.

The methodic is using an anthropological approach. This approach can be found in the well written report, where documented information is alternated with testimonials, press, newspaper articles, links to websites etc. Thus we get a surprising and unique perspective on the development of youth, in a former communist country and even younger EU country, which is Romania.

We also get a mirror. Just as it happened here at the middle of the 20th century, when the family homes for small children were created and managed by idealistic and passionate people, so we see it happening there. The Youth Care in Flanders has made a long way. In Romania, they are also trying to find a way, their way. That‟s different than ours, and so it should be. Every nation has its history, every nation has its future.

With this project, we have offered direct support to caregivers. We have sought and found rapprochements between different organizations in Belgium working for Romanian children. We have also planted more seeds for further cooperation and new initiatives, that in the future will include further exchange and support.

This report provides the interested reader a wealth of information. The conclusions show a number of tracks which can be further developed.

In Belgium, there are almost no family homes left. In Romania, they are in full development process, and we are gladly encouraging the managers and supervisors. They are moving further, day after day, and they can count on our understanding and support.

We hope this report inspires you too.

As Director of special youth divisions, I would very much like to thank Ria Verschueren for her relentless efforts. The project is completed, the contacts continue to run.

Lex Vorsselmans Ria Verschueren Director BJB Ter Loke Project Assistant, Romania project

31/03/2010 Maximilian Bara, translation

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I. INTRODUCTION 4 A. Salutation ‘Que le feu continue…’ - ‘That the flame lives on…’ ...... 4 B. Title and cover photo explanation ...... 4 C. Thanks ...... 4 D. Start of the project ...... 5 E. Formulation ...... 6

II. GENERAL 7 A. Geography ...... 7 B. History...... 7 C. Language ...... 9 D. Culture and Religion ...... 9 E. Conjuncture ...... 11 F. Special Youth Care, Protecţia Copiilor ...... 12

III. CHRONOLOGIE 14 A. Travel log 2-13 October 2008 ...... 14 B. Travel log 12-30 March 2009 ...... 19 C. Travel log 13-20 September 2009 ...... 24 D. Travel log 15-29 november 2009 ...... 32 E. Proceedings of the contacts in Belgium...... 36

IV. THEMATIC APPROACH 42 A. Schools ...... 42 B. Youth ...... 44 C. Price tag ...... 46 D. Exchange: “sens dublu” ...... 46

V. PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS 49 A. Open tracks ...... 49 B. Open end ...... 50

VI. WORK IN 2010 52

VII. ANEXES 52 A. Bibliography ...... 52 B. TV-stories / Video ...... 52 C. Romanian language ...... 53 D. Internet Explorer...... 53

3 I. INTRODUCTION

A. Salutation „Que le feu continue…‟ - „That the flame lives on…‟ I am very satisfied. I have a burning torch to pass and there are people to hold it, too…

B. Title and cover photo explanation Poverty is laziness. Poverty is not at all laziness. You are both free from nothingness and come closer to the essence of life. Dyonisys thinking. Poverty can make you creative. We dozed off in our luxury. I challenge anyone to find ten recipes of potato soup. Here I want to introduce the term 'time racism', which I read about in an article by Leen Huet in Knack. "Is to avoid the thought that by definition you're smarter than those poor souls that lived five hundred and fifty years ago".

The sewing on the cover photo is the evidence of a wonderful discovery and exchange. During my first trip I learned that the foster mother in the family home was interested in my embroidery, which I was doing for relaxation. She also loved embroidery, but had no time... Fortunately, she found some peace that summer in Belgium, and did me great pleasure to see her sitting in our garden, where she patiently and quietly continued working on her embroidery. She is the symbol of our exchanges, the red thread that runs throughout this report. Find each other. The much needed peace and meditative power emanating from this activity show us where the Achilles‟ heel of the family homes is. They also show our work: it is never finished.

C. Thanks This report wouldn‟t have existed without Lex Vorsselmans, Director of Special Youth Care, Ter Loke. In random order, I bring thanks to:

Stela and Călin, Pol, Eric, Marc, An, Koen, Annick, Marleen, Michèle, Beatrijs, Karel, Rebecca, Marc, Johan, Inge, Fons, Eduardo, Nuria, Mieke, Marij, Yorik, Tiphany, Eric, Nadine, Senne, Cisse, Jos, Tinne, Yannick, Steffie, Ryan, Carolien, Nathalie, Tim, Jacqueline, Ferdinand, Britt, Saskia, Georges, Poupun, Anita, Rita, Andrea, Maria, Nancy, Greet, Erik, Sandra, Betty, Sandy, Inge, Kim, Vania, Jozua, Sabrina, Yoke, Liona, Bart, Clarice, Sander, Dylan, Joris, Thomas, Nikita, Fons, Mil, José, Freddy, Johan, Peter, Els, Vincent, Cindy, Heidi, Fanny, Joyce, Angelo, Carine, Mart, Klaas, An, Ann, Marjolein, Lieve, Marieke, Elly, Femke, Claudia, Annie, Sonja, Julia, Cuca, Fons, Bernard, Kaat, André, Aracely, Germain, Vesna, Marcel, Ines, Lieselotte, Hunab, Rubi, Johan, Lien, Rocio, Piet, Sus, Bert, Rita, Roger, Cristina, Raluca, Martin, Florinela, Jessica, Ioan, Cristian, Claudia, Sindy, Cristi, Amalia, Johni, Soani, Lacrimioara, Madalena, Sabina, Radu, Diana, Andreea, Catalina, Nicoleta, Catalin, Cosmin, Dana, Anda, Sofia-Neli, Ton, Dirk, Annie, Anne-Mie, Patrick, Aram, Tanja, Amarylis, Rens and Rik.

Each of them knows very well why.

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D. Start of the project Let me introduce myself. I earned a degree in Educational Sciences in Leuven. I met with Youth Care volunteers at Regina Pacis in Turnhout, during the summers of 1974 and 1975. Since 1976 I have started working as a manager. Partly because of dissatisfaction with the organization, financial impossibilities, the extremely high-staff turnover and the countless hours of overtime, we opted in '80 for a family shelter. We started an independent family home in Root: vzw (vereniging zonder winstoogmerk – non profit organisation) Number Nine. This means a couple living with 10, sometimes 12 enrolled children and adolescents. We also have a son. In 2003 we merged with Ter Loke. I also have 10 years experience in teaching literacy, for the prisons Merksplas and Turnhout. Between 1994 and 2004 I traveled seven times to Q'eqchi'-Mayans in Guatemala. In 2007, we have no in-house care services, but work is still intensive under aftercare. Our guests 'aged', but 18+ does not mean that life is easier, and 18+ is far too young to be left alone.

How I came to Romania? Lex Vorsselmans, Director of Special Youth Care for Ter Loke had during the summer for many years a Romanian boy from an institution in his family. During the summer 2006 was the one who brought along several kids, by the bus, an indwelling caregiver of a family home. The kids stayed one week with them. In 2007 their “holiday child” did not come anymore, because he had turned 18. That summer he took his family there in a visit. Lex came back with the findings that there is little pedagogical support and care for the couple. He experienced similar concerns as residents here. He brooded for a partnership. Then I jumped on the car.

At the beginning I had no clear mission. I did not know what I would meet and where I would outcome. Now, when finalizing a part of the work, I can tell you that I am very satisfied with the progress of this work and the possibilities Ter Loke offered me.

This job is no scientific research. I try to tell my experiences and hope I will set something in motion.

Sometimes it seemed the project is on the dancing procession of Echternach. Not only the endpoint is interesting, but also the way there. The journey is as fascinating as the arrival. "Drum bun" they say over there. "Good trip".

It continues to be a learning process, to allow yourself to be surprised by the subject. In the words of Jacques Lacan, we get the following famous quote: "Gardez-vous de comprendre" – “Beware of understanding”.

I could not do everything alone. Therefore I have chosen, already from the beginning and in the course of our work, to involve youth and students. I am very grateful to them for that.

Words can not fully represent my experiences. Yet I have to try and transform my experiences, to pour them into text.

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E. Formulation Formularia Proiectului de schimb de experienţặ Romậnia – Flandra Proiectul Romậnia 2009 din Ter Loke are în vedere colaborarea între case de tip familial din Romậnia şi colegi din Ter Loke în Belgia, împreunặ cu partenerii lor din Flandra. In Romậnia ne limitặm la judeţul Bihor, fiind posibil sặ cặutặm ajutor sporadic şi în Timiş şi Cluj.

Intenţia noastrặ este un schimb de experienţặ şi idei în ceea ce priveşte educaţia copiilor şi tinerilor din programele pentru protecţia drepturilor copilului. Mai specific ne îndreptặm spre posibilitatea acestora a copilor de a creşte permanent în grup mic de zece şi în sậnul unei familii. Preferặm modelul de conlocuire cu o pereche cặsặtoritặ care diferặ aproape total de modelul familiei de plasament şi a grupului de conlocuire din institutiile mari.

Prin examinarea necesitặţilor lor, aceştia ar putea sặ se uneascặ pentru a gặsi soluţii dificultặţii de a se afla în permanenţặ într-o casặ plinậ de copii cu probleme.

Vrem sặ cerem sprijin şi asistenţặ universitặţii. Impreunặ cu tinerii adulţi am putea sặ elaborặm un proiect. In felul acesta vrem sặ le stậrnim interesul şi se îi facem sặ reflecteze. In primul rậnd vom colabora cu colegii noştrii din Flandra, fiind posibil cặ în urmặtoarea fazặ sặ contactặm instituţii din învặţậmậnt din Oradea, Cluj-Napoca şi Timişoara.

Ideea este sặ pặstrặm valoarea modelului „caselor de tip familial‟. Pentru aceasta trebuie sặ formulặm mai bine problemele, sặ le studiem şi sặ le gặsim alternative. Experienţa noastrặ poate ajuta. Iar ei ne pot aduce noutặţi, ne pot dezvặlui punctual lor de vedere. In felul aceşta ajutorul este reciproc, cặci în Belgia casele de tip familial par sặ dispar în linişte.

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The Ter Loke‟s Romania 2009 project seeks to establish contact between family homes in Romania and the Ter Loke staff, together with their partners in Flanders. In Romania we restrict ourselves to the Bihor district, but we may seek sporadic cooperation from Timiş and Cluj districts.

Our objective is to exchange experiences and ideas on the education of children and youth in the Youth Care services. We focus more specifically on the possibility to permanently reside and grow up in a group of ten and in a family context. We prefer the form of habitat with a couple, over the form of foster parents or residential group that can be found in large institutions.

Surveying their needs, could lead to them uniting to achieve a structure that can find solutions for the difficulty of permanent existence in a house with troubled children.

We want to ask the University‟s counseling and support. We can develop a project together with young adults. We want to arouse their interest and initiate a reflection. Initially we focus on co-workers in Flanders. Possibly in a second phase we will contact educational institutions in Oradea, Cluj-Napoca and Timişoara.

Ultimately we want to save the value of the 'family homes' model. To achieve that we have to point out the possible pitfalls and problems, to study them and find alternatives. Our experience can help. They can provide us with news and with their views. This way the ball can bounce back to Belgium, where the family homes seem to slowly and silently disappear.

6 II. GENERAL

A. Geography Bihor is a district located in northwestern Romania, which is quite comparable to one of our provinces.

 

Location Capital city Oradea Region Transilvania Development Nord-Vest Region General Surface 7.544 km² Population 600.223 (84/km²) (2002) Other Area code(s) 59 Car plate BH Common RO-BH abbreviation http://www.cjbihor.ro Website http://www.prefecturabihor.rdsor.ro

B. History In 2009, particularly in November and December, along with the 20 years celebration of liberation from communism in Eastern Europe, we have received lots of news about this topic and specifically about Romania.

How often haven‟t I thought: "Are the thin, strong, steel wires of the Communist system still here"? It is expected that the personnel remains silent and listens. The culture of “yes-nodding” still reigns. Many men seek refuge in alcohol. No complaint will be expressed, under the pain of resignation. We heard little criticism: someone once said a very quiet “...”... Also, at our meeting in July, I noticed that a Romanian woman does not formulate her thoughts, not openly, not even in her home. And this is in 2010.

7 From Geert Mak, “In Europe”, 2004, p. 743 In 1981, even bread rationalizations were made. Ceauşescu claimed that the Romanians just ate too much, so he introduced in 1985 a "scientific diet" for the whole country. Energy policy has been rigidly restricted. While in the Palace of the People chandeliers were hung with seven thousand or more lights, the shops had only forty-watt bulbs for sale. In Bucharest, two of the three street lamps were switched off. The female population was given a hard time. With terror saw the Ceauşescu‟s that birth rates decreased significantly. Abortion and the use of contraceptives were strictly forbidden. Women workers were given a gynecological examination every month. From 1983 each women had to give birth to at least five children during her life, childless and infertile women were punished with higher taxes. The results of this population policy were dramatic: orphanages crowded with abandoned children, by many women who were victims of incompetent abortionists.

From Geert Mak, “In Europe”, 2004, p. 744-745 There are currently four thousand homeless children wandering around through Bucharest. You see them everywhere: they beg, they sell cigarettes and matches, washing car windows at traffic lights. I even saw a beggar, begging with big eyes, kissing the front of a car. They fled their home, or they are simply sent to the streets. At the “House of Smart Boys” serves Tonio, with the hat to the eyes, as a porter. He lived five years in the tunnels of the district. He seems to be seven. He is twelve. Nicu smokes. He seems to be eight. He is fourteen. Alexandru receives me and shows me his new white coat, and underneath, his little dog. He seems to be nine. He is thirteen. But they all radiate an unprecedented energy and independence. "Street life makes two things well developed: self-care and social skills", says Ariana Constantinescu, the leader of this small children's home. "Some can not even say hello, they sniff glue (“Aurolac” colorant), but if they get into trouble, they know within one second how to react. It‟s just that they only lacked any form of affection and that makes them completely disoriented in life. We are for them an intermediate between the street and a new family or an independent existence. They get a bed, food, they go back to school. And that's going well. " This project reaches about three hundred children per year. Behind the house, the clothes of those who have just arrived are burned. It smokes and smells. Occasionally, a foreign television crew comes along: Where are the Children of Ceauşescu? Adriana Constantinescu: "These journalists want to show again the television pictures from the eighties, with homes with skinny, sick children. They do not realize that these children have grown, and now they are in the army or in prison, or working as a bodyguard for the new rich." She has the overcrowded homes of Ceauşescu well known, she worked there herself. Nevertheless, the current street-children are of a different breed. "There was a scarcity under Ceauşescu, but many families were sitting just above the survival threshold. Only after the revolution of 1989 they went below the absolute poverty line. Then they really could not sustain themselves. Nowadays you sometimes see whole families on the street, sometimes it also involves very young children who grow up wandering the streets. "These are, and I repeat that over and over again, the children of 1989, of the post-communism, the shock therapy of the West, the Promised Land that never came”.

8 C. Language

Language as a form of liberation Learn the language and a lot of doors open for you! I often had this experience in Guatemala, it helped that I first studied Spanish and after that embarked in the study of the Q'eqchi‟. So this time I did not worry. I immediately grabbed the bull by the horns and I began. In 2008, I had two sets of Romanian classes by Mioriţa, at the UIA in Antwerp. In 2009 I took further language lessons, and in spring and autumn I followed another sequence. In 2010 I will continue the classes. For more details, I refer to the appendices. We do not strive for a complete picture of the world of language classes.

Romanian is a Roman language, which is located near the old Latin. This is partly explained by the location of Romania, the language evolved only a little, being surrounded by other languages. There were few contacts with French, Spanish or Italian.

During my travels, sometimes it seemed the Tower of Babel. Many languages were used, such as Dutch, French, English, German, Romanian, Latin, Russian, Hungarian, Italian and Spanish.

D. Culture and Religion Under the communist regime people could not think, nor talk, everything was arranged methodically. I know of no better term than the one used in the West Flanders: the people were "flattened”. Others wear this passive and apathetic behavior: "Another will solve it" – this is the biggest cultural difference. The students‟ district of Timişoara struck me: there are no super-chic types walking around, nor hippie figures. Where are the philosophers, the environmentalists, the anti-globalists, the highly-educated? Brain drain is a very unfortunate thing. Renewal of young people will have to come. My search has not been thoroughly done. This was not a priority. But in the social sector and the family homes I have met renewal and inspiration.

Macho culture. The position of the women is weak.

A married woman takes the surname of her husband and is proud to do that. Her name will disappear...

9 A highly educated woman told me: "A woman in Romania should stay in the kitchen. The man watches TV sitting in the armchair, he comes to the table and is served by her. They do not eat together". They did the same. This woman traveled to Belgium and after one month absence, her husband complained, but not in our presence. He didn‟t receive any food or service, and that situation was not very funny for him. She was amazed that my husband cooked for 28 years, and my son, in his family, did more housework than his wife. He also takes care of their child. Both having to go to work is not an excuse, in Romania...

I realized later that I've spoken more with women than with men. In the family home in Bratca the man is there, in the background. He seems very modern. You can ask a question and get an answer, but no talk for an hour without his wife. In Valea Crişului instance was different. The man seemed very absent and during the drive there refused both a greeting and conversation. We certainly went anyway for a coffee chat with only his wife?

Religion To better understand this issue I went to Kortrijk, to a 86-year-old Scheutist. He taught me about the essentials and differences between the Catholic Church and the Protestants, the evangelists, sects, etc. The Orthodox Church is rampant in Romania. They are even building new churches! The Orthodox Church is a very rich church. It has also been told that they collaborated with the communist regime... we will not get into this for now. It seems that, due to the oppression of the past, the people now double the efforts to revive religion. During the interview I learned that there is no fundamental difference compared to the Catholicism. They have known no innovation, as neither have we, after the Council. You see lots of icons, the services are long, and the priest stands with his back to the people.

Little stories

Small stories to better reflect the big picture:

People fast seven weeks before Easter and seven weeks before Christmas.

Several weeks after Easter, the way people greet one another is different. They do not say “Good morning” or “Good afternoon” or “Good evening”, but "Christ is risen". And the other responds with "Truly He is risen."

I was in March in a village. On March 25 morning the lady of the house made it clear to me that it was an Orthodox holiday. Me: "Oh yeah? I did not know." She: "We are fasting and only have the evening meal." Me: ... She: "You can not work today." Me: "But I just go to the family home." She: "That is not for today, no visit, calls or interviews, do not write or type." Me: "Oh yeah?" She: "You should not read." Me: ...? She: "We do not wash or do any cleaning and we don‟t cook, either. The food was prepared yesterday. " Me: "Then today I go quietly to continue my embroidery." She: "No! You should not do that. " Then she asked me to choose the scarf she would cover her head with. Sunday dressing is very important. They would driving into town, to go to church for the service. The city is about one hour away by car, two hours by train. The service in the Cathedral should be worth it... I choose a scarf for her. It was all the same. I saw no difference, neither in size nor material, and they were all uniform dark brown and green with burgundy. After they left, I walked to the family home...

They say: "It's like 50 years ago here”. Yes, in my youth I went myself to church with a black veil over my head. I truly believe all that was foretold. Perhaps I had a calling for it?

10 E. Conjuncture Poverty description based on a story. The Sorrow of Sofia-Neli

On my first arrival in Romania, on the bus from the airport to the center, I spoke to a woman. I wanted to ask her where I could get off the bus best. She had two Ukrainian icons, packed into four paper towels, carefully folded at the corners. To avoid damage. I told her that I liked them and we started talking. We spoke half in Romanian and partly in English. She admitted that Romanian is a difficult language. "Romanian grammar is rocket science!" She was a school psychologist, but no longer worked due to health problems. She had been ill and had surgery. She showed me the scar on her belly. Oops, pink blouse up. She was deeply religious and said after every three sentences: "God sent you my way." Her husband was retired and had always worked as a technician at the military airport of Arad. Her only son worked in Rimini (Italy) in the HoReCa industry. He was gone for years, perhaps for good. She could not imagine his face. Pain. “Foarte greu!” She showed me two pictures, out of her clutter- handbag-with-one hundred-rubbish. She even wanted to hand me one of the pictures. That I absolutely can not assume. She thought that I could go to Rimini earlier than they would. She had no money and could not go there. And she needed her teeth taken care of. Her reading glasses had only one ear piece. She stepped out the bus in the center and we had coffee. She: "Do you smoke?" Me: "No, how about you? She: "I have no money." She showed me the street with the hotel and wanted to go further. I kindly thanked her and told her I was very tired and wanted to rest. I got her address and phone number, where I could always come and stay. I appreciated her offer, but I never visited her… Sofia-Neli, in her depression, sucked all the energy out of me. One more warm farewell and I said: “God sent you my way”.

The pension for two persons is 150 euro per month. To hire an apartment in Timişoara costs 500 Euro.

The wage of a young man raised in a “Centru de Plasament” is 300 Euros per month. That is about 2 Euro per hour. He must work 12 hours a day, six days a week.

The story of Florina-Violeta They have a guest house with nine rooms. All renovated by themselves. Their daughter is studying in the city. They have a computer but no internet. Yet they live in a village on the main street, about 500m from the church. Internet was already requested three years ago. That she told me in March 2009. But in the summer the internet will come! I was there in November... Nothing yet. But this month it is. In 2010, we can correspond by e-mail. I gave her my address, so she would send me the first mail. We are now in March. I have not received anything. And she has certainly not forgotten me.

In Romania currently reigns the hard capitalism. Better said, it is the „capitalism-at-top'.

Anyone can fall outside the boat. These are especially the disabled, the elderly, the immigrants from 11 Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, and our guests from the Youth Care homes.

Consuming is the highest goal. Everything seems invariable. What was once not, now is consumed in abundance: white bread, salt, fat, sugar, soft drinks, fast food. Romanians like to eat heartily and lots, as if they had to dig out the Pusta or the moorland. The food is also very heavy, as if they are all working in agriculture or in the mines. They all had a large deficit in the past... If you ask for brown bread, they look back at you as if you were the personification of Elena Ceauşescu. Men smoke a lot.

Anecdote : Europe too has its say on non-smoking areas. But the Romanians do not agree and they conveniently go around it. They invert the case. The way it is: there are smoking areas all around, and the non-smokers can barely find a table in the porch or in the hallway near the toilets.

Romanians do not save. They need to have money. What I have now, I have. Previously there was too little, or nothing. "They steal like a raven", they say. Formerly, during the time of the big boss "communism": it was not theft but wage compensation. Now from a foreign multinational company: the same thing? Many specialists heard it in Romania: Corruption! Bureaucracy! Even the cleaning woman takes cleaning powder home. In the family home, the storeroom was always locked, even for staff. The countless stories of corruption and consumption may not be exaggerated, but it seems best to fit them in history. Currently they are in a transition period.

The informal economy is rampant. It is also a prerequisite. The baker helps to restart the computer. A friend helps you with a car from abroad. The doctor works for free and gets cabbage or grapes. Sometimes it seemed more like "Article Cinq” from Congo. "Il faut se debrouiller." (“You have to manage for yourself”).

Anecdote: Europe will surely pierce through. At the end of 2008 I ate bear meat in a restaurant. "It was so good, it must be illegal" (F. Zappa). Since April 2009 I couldn‟t find it anywhere.

Not surprisingly, there are many people mourning Nicolae and Elena Ceauşescu. It seems incomprehensible to us, or certainly strange at first sight. In their time there was work and job security, life was less expensive, there were training and education, a health system, the right to rest for the elderly, group cohesion and solidarity.

F. Special Youth Care, Protecţia Copiilor

Romania child protection reforms - Ablak, Journal of Central Europe, Nicolae Vlad http://cf.hum.uva.nl/oosteuropa/ablak/artikelen2005/kinderbescherming_nov.html

After the fall of dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu in December 1989, the Western world, but also the Romanian people themselves, were shocked by the situation which Western reporters found in the orphanages: large- scale establishments with starving children, breeding sites of disease and infection, and where the scarce staff no longer handled the situation and sometimes even children tied to their beds. In recent years, Romania has significantly reformed the child protection system and we must let the world known that. The deplorable situation was created in 1966 after Ceauşescu issued a decree that banned contraception and abortion. The idea of the "Great Leader" was to double the population during the time frame of one generation; thus every woman was required to give birth to at least four children. Geert Mak even speaks of five children.

Because raising children was an impossible task for the poor families, the communist government 'generously' took responsibility for these children. By creating a large network of institutions in which, thanks to the good care of the Communist Party, children would grow up "in prosperity and security”, there was a demand for creating children. Leaving their child was an acceptable option for families who lived in poverty, and after the birth of their child in hospital they were told that the child "would have a better life" in an institution.

12 With the collapse of the Romanian economy in the eighties, and because of the lack of specialized personnel, conditions dramatically deteriorated in these institutions. The focus for the Romanian children in the Western media throughout the nineties brought a great demand from the west corridor. Parents and intermediaries were in some cases financially encouraged to illegal adoptions. Although there are no official figures, it‟s estimated that a number of 30,000 children were adopted by foreigners in the 90s.

This practice, that has done no good to the development of a functioning child protection system, came to an end in 2000, by a moratorium on international adoptions. These are now only possible if grandparents who live abroad want to adopt their grandchild. The reform process, that was well underway in 1997, had three main objectives. These form the basis of the enforced Act on the Protection and Promotion of the Child Rights (Act 272 - January 1, 2005). Firstly, the child protection system needs to come into line with the conventions of the United Nations. Furthermore, the support services need to develop, in order to prevent children being separated from their families. Large-scale care institutions finally had to be closed and replaced by alternative services.

An essential difference with the old legislation is that the new law is aimed at supporting the family in the raising of the child. The main responsibility in raising a child is placed with the parents, who should take account of his „higher-interest'. Under the new legislation "a child has the right to be raised by his family", meaning that it ended the misconception that the State could and would take over the role of the parents. The government remains only with a supporting role, which largely consists of preventing a child ending-up in an institution. Women at risk of leaving their child in the hospital after birth, get (financial) support. The general procedure is to try and bring the children who lost their parents to other family relatives. In cases where asylum is the only option, specialized centers were developed, where small groups of children are placed under the supervision of specialist social workers, and where imitating a possible family environment is attempted.

The success of this reform is evident from the sharp decline in number of children in care. By the end of 2004 Romania had 4.8 million children, of whom 82,902 were in the care of the state. Of 32,579 children stayed in care, one third of the number registered a few years ago. With 0.75 percent of the total number of Romanian children in care, the situation is comparable to that in Western European countries. With EU funds (PHARE) the government funded the campaign "Children's rights is the law!", aimed to deal with the old negative image of Romania. The world must be shown that the old images of neglected children in orphanage homes belongs to the past. In addition, the new legislation was further explained to the general public. To that end, a media campaign was launched, aimed especially at parents. Research shows that - because of information in schools - children were more aware of their rights than the parents. They know for example that parents bear primary responsibility for the way children grow and develop, while the parents still believe that this task is primarily the responsibility of public institutions. The media campaign also calls attention to problems such as neglecting and abuse. In 2003, 47 percent of the parents considered using physical violence in the process of education as absolutely normal. A growing problem is child labor. In recent years, several media reports spoke of children from poor families in the north of the country, who were "rented" to farmers for working the land.

Besides parents, other various professional groups must come into contact with children, groups such as judges, social workers, policemen, teachers, doctors and priests, to make the parents responsibilities clear. To that end there were held, every two days, one hundred workshops scattered throughout the country, in each of which twenty participants explained the need for better cooperation between the professional groups involved in children protection. The doctor to whom a child with bruises comes for consultation, is told he should turn to the authorities, the teacher learns how to act when he gets the feeling he is dealing with a neglected child. Experiences were exchanged and often fingers were pointed at each other, in both sides.

The lack of money is perhaps the greatest danger for the further development of the child protection. The young and very ambitious Violeta, social worker, tells me that after completing a workshop in the mountain city of Busteni, many of her colleagues have been very frustrated by the ridiculously low wages.

13 They barely earn one hundred Euros a month, while rent for a single house in Bucharest at least 150 Euros. "In the summer I finish my studies and then I'm gone. I love what I'm doing now, it's my dream job, but I need to go somewhere I can earn a living!

On “Www.copii.ro/directieServiciu.aspx?judet=Bihor” we can find the list of agencies in Bihor. There is a long list of public and private services. With the help of people over there we could select five family homes working with children and young people from the special Youth Care. (See “Travel 2”) The website looks very nice. In colors and with pictures! Where does the piano in the picture come from? Which home has a piano? Where does that child that can play the piano come from?

III. CHRONOLOGIE

A. Travel log 2-13 October 2008

Purpose This trip was mainly for familiarization and to learn the language better. Listen and watch, ask what they want. Not too much to know or act, because if you know where you going, nothing new can happen.

Exchange and support in “casa tip familial” Bratca, Calin and Stela Domocosj, Str. Principala 325 first meeting and interviews support: visit, attendance and interest

Visit the institution Centru de Plasament nr 2, Str. Feldioarei in Oradea Language practice picturing the situation then and now support for young C. M. (Visit, attendance and interest) Support for educator F. C. (Ibid.)

Language learning, exercises and practicing

This time, I still keep it very general. After the mid-October evaluation, the project can be developed further. In December we can refine, concrete and limit in time and space.

14 The first contact with Romania was overwhelming and very intense. It is difficult to make a selection out of my 197-page diary. I traveled with a rucksack and on public transport, without a laptop or the possibility of sound recordings. Many impressions I will describe in various ways, later in my report. Especially the friendliness of the people, their warm welcome and the overwhelming nature had gripped me so much.

My first visit to a major institution in Oradea and talks with an educator was spontaneous and very educational.

Heartwarming welcome at the family home in Bratca. Certainly must be mentioned that I had a good introduction. During the whole course of this project I have invested a lot of time and energy to building networks in Flanders. Romania-connoisseurs, Romania helpers, travelers to Romania, Romanian-children- on-vacation-caretakers and Romanian-speakers came passing by. They can open doors. I will write more about this in the chapter: "Contacts in Belgium".

Also great fun was the discovery that the family home was so natural; so much resembled our earlier work, so similar and busy, so that children could be confused with our guests. There seemed to be no difference. There were ten children in care, boys and girls between 7 and 19 years. They were also explicitly present during my other trips. I've come to know them so well, each with his own individuality and particularities. They were very open and loving towards me.

Also, the people of the house. In the hotel in Oradea, they had a nice accommodation, they were friendly and they showed interest in my work. But the family of the pension in Bratca is a gem! I got to know them well, while I have spoken with them and practiced the language in their kitchen; they provided a safe, warm and quiet place for me. I was looked after like a princess. They have become friends.

Methods - My searching proceeded as follows. First all the discussed subjects, lined-up in a row. Based on formulated selection criteria, I have made a choice and sought an opportunity for further exchanges.

Topics covered for specific family home: - - - Gravity of permanent presence, need for leave, breathing space, leisure - Good friends who ask how is it to be foster parents themselves - Attitudes to their own children - Attitudes to natural parents - Avoid burnout, talk with a doctor and psychologist

15 Subjects discussed, more generally:

- - Foster care - The value of poverty – bringing people together - Staff: working hours, tasks, absenteeism, training - Age of young students - Administration, social service, inspection - Education Children: menu, tasks, school hours, homework, hygiene, courtesy, TV, computer - The internet, suicide, drugs, social contact, relaxation - Large institutions - Aftercare - History, growth and development - Impact and implications of "EuroBlue' organizations

- Contacted groups, potential partners in the future: - - Married couples in family home - Family homes staff - Children and youth family homes / institutions - Bihor zone: consultations with various houses - Oradea: social service and Child Care responsibles - Staff in large institutions - Belgian holiday EuroBlue exchange e.g. with Flemish youth - Educational training for foster families in Flanders

Selection criteria: what we will always keep in mind:

- No material aid, not a transfer of property or financial transactions - Work and support in educational, psychological, social, philosophical, emotional, spiritual, moral and / psychiatric terms - Exchanges are a two-way traffic, no support or pedantry from our rich Western world - Structural changes, if possible - Choice for sustainable development - Prefer to work with youth, the future of the youth welfare, what will come to them - Works from the bottom up: from the family homes, unite them, to social services and the responsible for the area Bihor - No top-down decisions - Working with groups and communities - not a choice for individual approach - Choice in relation to the needs of the couple: the first approach, greatest needs - Care with dealing with people, with attention – requires a lot of time and rest - Special Youth Care and putting Romania on the map - Determine feasibility within given time frame - - - Selection of the topics listed on the basis of the formulated selection criteria: Exchange: Family Homes in Bihor Care for the couple and their living situation

- - First stage:

- - Liaise with other family homes in Bratca Valea, Beiuş and Tinca - The enthusiasm for the initiative - Come together and unite - Find solutions and seek alternatives to problems - Social service and responsibility of district

- - - - - 16 - Second phase: - - Contact the university and the students - Possible solution: offer free time to the couple, by dividing the work among the staff, supported by interns and volunteers, starting from universities or schools in Flanders

- Third stage: thorough study - - For example, a thesis by a student - -

Avem două mii de “semiorfani” Translation: We have 2000 *semi-orphans in Bihor (*Semi-orphans: at least one parent working abroad) in Jurnal Bihorean, March 28, 2009

"Presidential elections in Romania: Rhetoric, vulgar populism and demagoguery." Julien Weverbergh in Knack, 19 December 2009 p. 125-128

"Romania and Bulgaria too lax in combating corruption" Frank Schlömer in De Morgen, 24 July 2009, p. 14

"The Iron Curtain Road. In Timişoara emerged the new Romania " Frank Schlömer in De Morgen, 31 July 2009,

"In Romania, the West is still Paradise. Wrong. " Eric Rinckhout in De Morgen, May 7, 2008

"Three-quarters of one million Russian children live without parents. What can you expect as the price of one liter of vodka is less than one liter of milk? " Catherine Vuylsteke in De Morgen, November 24, 2009

"Querida Europe ... La niña rumana Rebecca Convaciu résiste a una vida y Miseria the persecución. A 12-year-old gypsy girl writes an open letter "Dear Europe ..." She refuses a life of persecution and misery.

17 Newspaper article in "Jurnal Bihorean” November 21, 2009

"I'm not going to school" - with picture

"Under the threshold of poverty”

With the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Romania has achievements in this area, but also many problems, according to representatives of the "Children Rescue” organization, ANPDC and UNICEF.

Gabriela Alexandrescu, Executive President of the “Rescue Children”, admits that they still have many things to worry about.

Approximately 350,000 children are affected by poverty and live below the poverty line. School absenteeism has tripled in recent years.

Eighty percent of those who are not in school, are people from the Gypsy community, Rroms, although we should not enforce the stigma.

From: Evenementul Zilei Ediţia Naţională of November 27, 2009: "Copii aruncaţi peste board." www.evz.ro

Title: Children thrown overboard.

Here I can not fully translate the article. Second paragraph: A Swedish organization, already twenty years working in Romania to sue the state today. They are against malnutrition, which is similar to African countries.

18 B. Travel log 12-30 March 2009

Objective

1. Contacts with family homes in Bratca After cataloging the needs after the first trip, Stela and Calin motivate through the translated text (see introduction)

2. Focus on place and time Visiting and probing other family homes in Bihor county, first in Beiuş (including children via Euro Blue) - then the second house in Bratca - possibly in Tinca, two homes, later in May (transport)

3. Support through suggesting collaborations - after speaking about the problems - searching alternatives in workshops. Proposal formation (after-care, leisure, own children, burnout), offering internships

4. Stela possibilities (if she immediately wants it), or finding other house Giving time – making an offer – Telling our experiences This trip is probably the hardest to describe. I describe it only now, in the last chapters. 121 pages diary.

5. Probing the need to appeal for the Social Services in Oradea Ibd. Child Protection responsibles

6. Enabling young people Initiating – Probing and proposing test-stage in July

7. Personnel schedules Visions on tasks allocation, experience sharing - Offer to reflection and evaluation

8. Method - see selections listed after trip Taking account of distrust and negative press - Taking account of crowded days and fatigued couples - Pay attention to the high impact of our presence - Good initiation questions, from experience

9. Proper line maintenance Now there is a positive flow and inspiration - not get carried away - keeping an eye focused on couples of family homes - A priority issue is merely a dot on a white sheet of desperation.

10. Evaluation in April Measurability is difficult - Through contacts there will certainly be a process going – We assume these 9 work points in the program and try to implement as many as possible.

This trip is probably the hardest to describe. Searching, not knowing where to go, cost me a lot of energy. Based on my findings after the trip in November, I formulated goals, direction, steps that could be undertaken. Perhaps too high, but the possibility of internships or work hours discussing the scheme could be investigated. With a good spirit, packed and ready with many ideas, I went back to Oradea, in Bratca. After investigation, I found five family homes, working with children from the Special Youth Care, in Bihor county. There are two houses in Bratca, two in Tinca and one in Beiuş. "Not possible" said the woman of the inn in the town at my departure for a journey of two weeks. It would be a stunt. Towards Bratca I realize that I will be less of a tourist, people expected me over there. It's like coming home. Deeply touched, I travel further. Thanks to my first visit, I found a place in the unknown, a permanent position. Several people in town recognize me and talk to me.

19

In the family home are now 13 children, the social service said that.

Thursday, the first week, I did not feel well, tired, I was becoming ill. There was a flu epidemic in the country. The husband of the couple in the family home was sick. A day later, a 10 years old boy was sick and one day later a 9 year old girl was in bed with fever. I myself was number four and the doctor‟s next patient. Two children died from influenza in that period in Bihor. It seemed like I could not perform my job. When I too had a fever, I decided, after two days in bed, not to travel Tinca and Beiuş. Out of necessity I stayed ten days in the village. I thought I did not function and I felt so bad. No colleagues, no feedback, no clear mandate. Alone. From experience I knew that once again my relative-frustration and flexible power should appeal to those days to come. I had consoled myself with the biography of Picasso: "el artista que no tiene dudas progresa poco." – “The artist who does not doubt, progresses very little”. Another consolation was the thought that so many visits were like quick interviews, so dialogue never really established. Therefore, my forced residence, in retrospect, was a blessing. I've learned a lot, especially about the culture, religion and gender relations. As an observer in the family home, where I spent hours each day, after a few days into bed, I am particularly grateful to the couple for many instructive moments I have experienced. Even though I was tired, I worked on my embroidery, or I ate with the kids, I looked in the newspaper, playing a party game or we took English classes together. I saw many, heard and listened a lot, felt many. I was there, just living...

During that time I read the texts and bundles that they wrote for the operation:

Residential working guide for staff and volunteers 37 p This text contains material and very clear guidelines regarding contracts, work with the family, dealing with the natural parents, professional, tasks, nutrition and health, emergency, illness, first aid, medication and hygiene, the relationship between staff and children, constructive sanctions, education, working in a team, supervision, salary, rights (wages and leave). Penalties close the row.

Guide for family homes residence, for children and youth 7 p For the young people there was respect for rights and obligations, school, rest, cleaning, hygiene and non- discrimination. Furthermore, they wrote about not making a dangerous behavior, the possibility of contact with the natural parents and respect for the day program. Procedures for runaways.

Proiect instituţional 52 p The third text is formulated based on the standard requirements for residential facilities. The orders are European and only started on May 1, 2005. Here I read about the mission, principles and goals of specific activities, the income, partners, organization, rules, rights and obligations of all concerned.

These were all very solid and finely written materials. They should not do this for us anyway? It would take too long to translate all this and discuss the content.

20

Quotes:

“Work in family never never ends.” Stela

“Uşa! uşa!” means “The door!”, 100 times a day, in the family home. (“Do not let the cold in.”)

“Papers kill me.” Dokter Anda

“Teorie este teorie, dar practica ne omoare pe noi,” university-trained foster mother - "Theory is theory, but practice kills us."

Me: “The snow is beautiful!” The other: “Not for us.”

At the end of my stay, there was yet another surprise. We could join the other family's home in Valea Crişului, in a visit.

From my journal: I can still get to the shop to buy bananas. The drive is beautiful, through the hills, only 7 km to the northeast. There are nine children in the house. The couple has one son and one daughter. The house has five fireplaces, no central heating. It's cold outside, it still snowed that week. Visit: almost everyone gathers in the living room. A large corner office, bare walls, no plants, no pictures, no toys. There seemed to be much more than 9 children there! The TV is on Sesame Street, then music, too loud. The house is small and dark, less modern than Stela‟s. The children are dressed much thinner, less modern, have no slippers on, and the socks are so thin at the footpads, that there is a hole in each one. All children have the same hair and wear a jogging; I see no difference between a boy and a girl. I try to introduce myself and the purpose of my visit. I feel no inters. I give my Romanian text plus my card. That card I got from my card holder and it is together with other cards, on the same carton sheet. I must still bend and tear them. With the strips of cardboard the children played for 1.5 hours. Another dress-up party for the picture.

The hostess brings out pink slippers for us, and nuts for later, for the lemonade. But where is she going every? What is she showing to my supervisor? Suddenly there is a lot of enthusiasm and interest. Fortunately, by my understanding of their language, I found out. The couple do not live in the home, they have a new house across the street. Two hours: staff exchange. The workers seemed to me very fast, modern and capable. I have the schedule hanging in the kitchen, but could not thoroughly study it. We have also avoided the difficult topic. It took a long time, I could not get out. What is this here? I feel bad and disappointed. Was this the situation of my first job in 1976, when a couple took over a children's home, promised to live together as a family and only slept there during the period when their house was built? Why was my companion‟s first sentence: "Now, everything is OK, everything is good here. It's fine." What‟s fine? My disillusionment? My naivety? It was lovely to walk back.

21 Stories: The girls from the family home in Valea Crişului (17-18 years) gave me their MSN addresses: ”Top secret-sexy style cristina” ”Tsunami-for-you Diana” There‟s nothing wrong with young girls at first sight. They look very similar to our guests.

I had a flu and I was told it was because I turned the heater off at night. I had a fever: put your feet in a warm foot bath in the evening. Sore throat: they gave me ţuica (liquor, often distilled at home, made of fruit). Cough: rub ţuica on your chest. Earaches: put ţuica in your ears. Oops, didn‟t do that, I have an open ear drum.

The doctor to whom I have talked about burn-out in our sector, worked herself in the hospital for 32 hours at a time. She had only half an hour in the morning to go home to change clothes and take the kids to school. She is 38 years and divorced, comes from Bucharest but she lives now a day's journey from home. Her mother must come over to take care of her daughters.

Before I left I tried to discuss a few things and to put us all together in a row again.

Internships were not stopped for the moment. Stela told me that with someone new in the house the children act differently, so you ultimately have more work and the trainees already have a lot of work, so this demands attention and guidance. More work? Who is she saying that to?

The subject of bringing together the various family homes was hot and cold. There used to be a summit. Not anymore. The coordinator organized then. During the 1.5 years I have seen many changes in policy. Later seemed to be no more meetings, only administrative guidelines, for example regarding how to overpass the Mexican flu.

On my last question (what she would really want), I got a clear answer. Stela would come to Belgium that summer, along with the children of Euro Blue. She asked if it was possible to arrange a meeting with several partnes: Huroki, Euro Blue and Ter Loke. She asked for cooperation and openness in each other‟s work. These meetings and talks would be very important for her, she often said. Luckily I have time to find all those people and prepare "Summit". To be continued in the section III E - “Contacts in Belgium”.

22

The schedule of the family home in Bratca: Concediu = leave Concediu maternal = maternity leave The moments where work needs to be double, or where three persons are required are not included. And there are plenty! It took a long time before I could understand the schedule of April. The couple took a leave together on 15 April. The educator Mary will take the nightshift. They can go away together? I kept asking. Eventually I wrote in my diary the punch line of the case. Their final answer was: "You do not understand. This is only paper! "

23

Intermezzo : One morning in the family home at 11 u., 25 november 2009: The children are all at school. The educator is busy in the kitchen. The baker delivers bread. The school‟s wood supplier comes with a tractor in the yard. He needs help. The home and the school are in the same building and share the same playing field. Unexpectedly, a psychologist from Oradea comes for a discussion about one of the children. A former guest is visiting his sister and wants her home on week-ends. He tells us stories about his childhood in the great institution of Beiuş and his student days' at the “Centru de Plasament nr.2" in Oradea. After that he went to work in Spain. And we also came for a visit. We have waited, but returned in the afternoon and saw that none of the members of the couple could talk. Seven people at a time visiting the home, in the living room, asking for attention... Just how it happened to us, as well, in “Number Nine”, often...

C. Travel log 13-20 September 2009

After a thorough preparation, many conversations and visits, dozens of emails and logistic support, Marjolein Van Dijk left to Bihor. She is a social worker and student of sociology.

Marjolein‟s assignment - Discussed in Gent on 9 September 2009 - Visit family homes in Tinca and / or Beiuş (Special Juvenile Care) - Visit the homes "tip familial" in Oradea (mental or physic handicap) - Contact Social Services, District Bihor - Contact Child Protection Department of Oradea - Participating in Huroki work - Specific Romanian culture studying - Inquire Prof. Ioan Chelemen in Cluj-Napoca, founder of the family homes - Prepare thesis Marieke de Vos (Leuven criminology) concerning aftercare - Report and photo shoot - Visit bigger institution - Contact institutionalized youth - Marking the gaps in Ria‟s preparation - All this is expected to be performed within the sphere of Andries Baart‟s philosophy. Plus a small explanation of the presented theory. Within the time-frame of one week, five working days, will choose what is feasible. Selected assignments will be carried forth according to the opportunities that arise. Considering also the language problem, the distance, slow public transport and the suspicion for Europeans, we will welcome information from each possible track. There was however a list of priorities. The preferred choices were 3, 4, 7 and 9.

This report was written by Marjorie. I have fully adopted it.

24 Day 1 a/ Visiting major institutions in Oradea (Centrul de Plasament No .2) It noticed (and so did my fellow travelers) that there were more young children in large institutions, compared to other years,. This points to possible policy changes? The building was not as well maintained on the outside, and I did not have the chance to enter. For the children there was a lot of accommodation available, such as children's games, goals... According to Annie and Annemie, it was funded with foreign money. However, it was little used. Several children had Dutch lessons during their holidays spent in Belgium. I noticed that there were a lot of older children who were taking care for the young ones. If they continue studying, they get the opportunity to stay in the institution, even if they are already of age.

b/ Influence of the European Union The European Union has granted the Romanians more discretion. It has given the opportunity for rebuilding. The European Union has also opened opportunities for subsidies. At the same people feel too restricted by the European Union. The slaughter of cattle for example, was prohibited. While this was previously a cultural practice for the Romanians, it was also an inexpensive source of income. The European Union finds it not always good for the little man. Unemployment remains relatively high. Those who work have a higher income than 10 years ago. At the same time people feel the pressure from the West, they need to go very fast. The changes that the West has undergone lasted 50 years, in Eastern Europe all this must happen in a few years. The question is whether these changes can also happen so much in the people‟s minds? c/ Meeting with Cristi Cristi has years since he is coming for one month in Belgium, during the summer, through collaboration between Romanian childcare and Euro Blue, a Belgian organization. He has spent every summer, for all these years, with Inge and Lex, and thus he has good Dutch, English and Romanian knowledge. Meanwhile, he works 6 days a week, from six hours in the morning until six hours in the evening, for a miserable salary. He certainly earns no more than about 300 euros per month. Cristi works in a factory where he put together all the windows and doors. He has not completed his studies. A few months back, he went to Spain for a while, to pick oranges, in the hope of a better wage, which ultimately didn‟t happen. d/ General impression During my first day in Romania, I noticed that Romania has a macho culture. Men find it important to drive big cars and take initiative towards the women, in the street. Gypsies are on the side of society. I have seen that the beggars were gypsies. The carts with horses that came from the countryside were in most cases drove by gypsies. There were many young children on the streets of Oradea, in the evening. In the streets I saw many West European companies that invested in new industry, to reduce the number of typical communist buildings. Romania is a beautiful country. As a Romanian in city of Oradea, I do not find it always easy to survive. They only get a small salary, though people are tempted by all kinds of Western advertising. The luxury products are as expensive or sometimes even more expensive in Romania than in Belgium. You must have a strong character to ignore all this.

Day 2

a/ Visit to the Child Protection Service The visit to the Child Protection Service went pretty smoothly. The social workers could not help me. I was immediately forwarded to the Director, even though it seemed interesting to chat with them about their work in Oradea. Afterwards, the director made me wait for a long time. I've found that the operations and the organization structure and hierarchy were very different to that of Belgium, where it runs a little friendlier. The social worker was not allowed to contact his immediate superior, everything went through secretaries, that further requested the visit to the director.

25 b/ Meeting with Annie and Annemie from Huroki I only saw Annie and Annemie from Huroki (Ontario) for a bit, the next day they went back to Belgium. I met them by chance at the Child Protection Service. They told me that a new director was appointed, politically appointed. Annie and Annemie have visited several families of enrolled children in Romania, and saw the abuse. According to them the building was formerly a Child Care home, with the support of foreign organizations, including Huroki. A year later it was transformed into a Child Protection Service and the children were returned to their old building. c/ Meeting with Claudia, educator at a major institution in Oradea The meeting with Claudia gave me a good image about the Youth Assistance and the general life in Romania. The average monthly income of Romanians is very low, around 300 euros. If you are unemployed, the unemployment insurance is about 100 to 150 euros. People without jobs can thus only just rent something, you can not live. Child benefit is for many an additional income, some families even have children to survive. The parents are entitled to the child, even if the child is placed in an institution. With the advent of the European Union, Romania has undergone great changes suddenly; the question is whether the mentality of the people has changed that much. Everything must be very rapid. Claudia indicates that there is still a lot of indoctrination and conditioning in her country. The culture of “yes- nodding" do not change you. Within families there is sometimes a refuge in the use of alcohol. The woman is oftenly oppressed, within the family. The spouse can not go against the public opinion. Claudia said later that young people from the Special Youth Care usually go to work at an early age. However, young people continue to reside in the institution, others continue their studies as they age. Claudia thinks that having their own income, their own independence is a source of attraction that young people go to work so fast. Claudia finds it very important that young people get the chance to make this choice between studying and working. It gives young people their freedom, finally they feel that they are no longer controlled. It is unfortunate that young people from the Special Youth Care have opportunities, but not always engage them. Later in life, people are generally sorry that they have not further studied. The combination of studying and working is possible, but also makes it very hard for them. Romania has been hit hard by the crisis. You can also notice changes inside the institution, says Claudia. There are now more children in the institutions. In times of crisis the family homes seem to struggle to function, because many foreign investors are holding back. The food for the children is healthy, but comes out of only a very small budget. People get two Euro per day per child, which means that the children have insufficient food.

Day 3 a/ Child Protection Service Like yesterday, I was immediately sent to the Director‟s office. Other social workers couldn‟t or weren‟t allowed to speak to me. Above I had the "Social" Workers in tailor suits, on heels. I was amazed by the hierarchy that was still present. When I was finally allowed inside, I was even more surprised by the Director‟s Office. It looked like the office of a king, "Grand Luxe", TV on the wall, leather seats, flags of Europe and other neighboring countries. I have not found file cabinets, but a massage chair! Unbelievable! An interview with the Director followed, in French. The man himself was very reserved when I asked him about the Special Youth Care. I had the impression that he came up with especially “desirable” answers, which did not correspond with the reality. - What does the Child Protection Service? Answer: The Child Protection Service is a large organization, spread throughout the Bihor district, with different functions in the organization. Child protection is in itself a big task, besides family protection. The social worker goes to visit various families and tries to restore back relationships. Child protection service also devotes a lot of attention to the adoption process and follows adopted children as well. The "tip familial" homes are for children with problems, both mentally and physically. There is not always communication with the parents. - What about the spread of family homes? Answer: There are some family homes, but also many small ones across the country. The smaller family homes tend to work individually. There is less control there. - Is it possible to work at the strategy level in order to get a cooperation between Belgium and Romania? Answer: The director sees only a small possibility of cooperation at a higher level, he sees little value in a partnership. But he is open to cooperation at a lower level, so we can learn of other family homes in Romania. The director would support our project. He wanted to make a written confirmation of cooperation between Bratca and Belgium, which he wanted to ratify.

26 - What about aftercare in Romania? A: Children have the opportunity to go to the university. According to the director, there are noticeable changes in the last few years. Young people find it difficult to get a job, unemployment is relatively high. Ageing is a major problem for Romania. Youth is needed to bear the pensions for the elderly. A good diploma degree is essential for this. - Does the Romanian government spend a lot of attention to support the Special Youth? Answer: The Director stressed the importance of foreign funds. The Romanian government did something, to this day, but very little. Access to the European Union has opened new channels of subsidization, but they are insufficient for the Special Youth Care. Donations are therefore extremely important. b/ Visit Stela in Bratca

General impressions: Bratca has a deep impression left on me, because it was a totally different landscape than in Oradea. It seemed like time stood still in Bratca. I saw several families on horseback and a lot was done to agriculture. The firewood was ready for the harsh winter to come. Unbelievably beautiful scenery, with long stretching hills. Stela was still in town on our arrival. We saw the children and her only son Catalin. The oldest children knew Dutch. Every summer they went to stay with other families in Flanders. It‟s unbelievable how they could still keep their West-Flemish accent. The children were very grateful that they could spend the holidays in Belgium. It was for them, despite the long trip, something to look forward to. Stela brought us to an idyllic place that evening, where we could eat a meal. It was a beautiful summer evening with incredible views! Afterwards we continued to speek about the Special Youth Care. Stela clearly has a different vision than Claudia on the aftercare of young people. She finds it very important for young people to find the way and they need to be led to make the right choices (= study). Stela knows the professor Ioan Chelemen, he would work at the university in Oradea. Stela has never had lessons there, though. After that we spent the night in the “Florina” hotel.

Day 4 a/ Visit to Asco - General Social Service in Oradea, interview with Adina Patroc

Adina is a sociologist by training and has previously studied Social Work. She is currently working at ASCO, a social organization that coordinates volunteering in Oradea. She has worked with various organizations abroad. Her organization has a very broad function. It consists of an extensive social network, trying to point out assistance to various groups. ASCO makes effective referral to specialized organizations. You could compare it to a primary care service in Belgium. It is an organization that targets not only children but also families, elderly etc ... Adina says that everything should go very fast on a very short period, now social organizations have few resources from the government. Organizations are trying to do what they want, so there is no consistent social policy created. Adina suggests herself a partnership with Ter Loke! A voluntary exchange for example. She has already developed partnership relationships with the city of Waregem. She also knows Annie and Annemie for a while. Adina knows Ioan Chelemen well, his son is married to her best friend. Currently, Ioan works in politics as a senator, but occasionally he would give lectures at the university over Special Youth Care. MAIL: [email protected] b/ Visit to the University, search for Ioan Chelemen The university is divided into two parts, one part is natural sciences and one part human sciences. I noticed that the natural sciences department is housed in a new building, as opposed to the human sciences. I had wandered around through the corridors of the university. Europe is popular with the Romanians, there is a lot of publicity made for the European Studies program. Master degree in Social Work is also popular and everyone knows Ioan Chelemen. Unfortunately Ioan Chelemen was not present that week, but I could get his phone number from some employees.

27 c/ Visit to the Ruhama foundation This organization is headquartered at the university and deals with the rights of the Romas in general (see attachment). They try eliminate the discrimination against Romas. In the past, there was segregated education, now it is no longer the case, but still faces more day to day problems. A big problem is education, housing and exclusion from the society. Ruhama Fundatia receives subsidies from European governments.

d/ Visit to the national military history museum Throughout its history, Romania has generally been subject to other nations. There were many wars. People suffered, in my opinion, even before communism. Striking that the history stops in 1945, in the museum. According to the guide, there were controversies regarding an extra room. Opinions are divided over should communism years were present. A nice thing to know, between 1700 and 1800 Romania was the "Belgium of the East". The Constitution of that time was based on the Belgian Constitution.

Day 5 a/ Visits to NGO‟s Adina Patroc (ASCO) has given me some addresses of NGOs that also organized other 'Tip Familial‟ homes, but founded with foreign aids. Addresses were not there, but were fairly easy to find on the Internet. Unfortunately I have not found all of them. - Elim Foundation 0259 364 345 - Romanian Relief Foundation - Special Youth Care / Tip Familial - People to People Foundation 0359 411 700 - Lidia Foundation (in Spinus) - Smiles Foundation (in Chihei)- Viata Noua pentru Copii (Santandrei)

28

I have myself visited the Romanian Relief organization. This organization is run from Great Britain. They were prepared for a possible cooperation, perhaps a different track but can nevertheless also be interesting. Contact: Sarah Wade (president), address: Calea Aradului nr. 27, Oradea. [email protected] Tel.: (004401582.730816) b/ Visit to the market in Oradea

Intermezzo : Impressions - wood, wood stove, wood scent - smoke plumes from the scattered houses - stray dogs - no potable water - unpaved streets, with holes, cottages, puddles and rocks, as many as you want - a distant land, two days travel - several generations living around a courtyard - a loud shrill laugh of a woman - you see and feel real friendship - in many places they are busy with repairing cars, many are over 20 years old - dirty roadside, cola cans, plastic, candy wrappers, .. - selling toilet paper per roll, gray or old-rose - also selling daipers per piece, a candy, a cookie, a piece of paper or envelope - coffee with lots of sugar. "Life is bitter enough" - stone to take home, for father - a young woman doing the laundry outside in the yard - yard with rammed earth and chicken dung, wood stacked - corn drying in a shed - a barefoot child in November - a very old woman with no teeth and deep wrinkles - aluminium foil under the muzzles of the gas cooking machine - mist in the mountains - farmers - poverty - beautiful morning glory and magnificent sunsets - mud on your shoes, and if you come from far away - mud on your pants - bones - at 6 hours light and at 6 hours dark - 25 degrees Celsius - less individual thinking, more familial thinking and group feeling - rooster crowing in the morning - a cyclist with no light at dusk on a busy road - the family name Pop. Maria Pop deceased. - For sale on the market: many large flower arrangements with pine branches, for the cemetery or the church or for a dead man‟s cortege - an unknown bird whistle - racism - a flower field - an unexpectedly small butterfly on the side of the road - a car with only a frontlight or no rear stop lights - mud on the market, food tables covered with plastic - a lot of talking and meeting, market day as social event - a wooden house - a pig - country torn by decades of internal war - time difference, adjust your clock

29 - to wash yourself and your clothes is relative, less frequent than at home - a corrugated tin roof - go to the toilet outside, behind a tree

- public transport packed - mountain paths, forest trails - tired of the many impressions - diluted milk - enough time - scent of lilies in the church - all winter long, a mother and daughter peeled nuts to pay for an operation - they come from far away to the market, on foot - the use of spring and river water - public transport starts already at 02.30 am - lots of lemonade, as much as possible - a house with only two rooms - diary - the mail is not working or working very slow - toilet cottage in the garden: a flat plate with a hole in it - people along the road ride your car with you - presidential elections: cholera or plague - they build more churches - mud houses - sunday rest - religion is embedded in everyday life - turkeys in the yard - wooden bench in front of the house - hot food - no newspaper for sale, no phone or Internet, "off this world" - why is that child not in school? - traditional costumes: flamboyant brightly colored woven skirts, white blouses with embroidered flowers at the neckline - men wear white pants, shirt ditto, colored bands and hand crafted jacket - super fast minivans. Dangerous? - you greet everyone on the road - a drunken man stumbles into the dark, Sunday night, on the way home - "How green is my valley ..." - study of their language - backpack

30 - grateful for life - misunderstanding, culture - women work more than half a day in the kitchen - clean fresh air in the mountains - other change of season than at home - barks - great hospitality - a lot of food - overwhelming nature - walks lasting for hours - splashing of the waterfall - stories about children and hunger, told by a younger - the taste of their coffee - savings for the marriage of their daughter - remote areas not accessible by car - grandfather is very sick - enough space - pitch black nights - gorgeous starry sky - abandoned children - knowledge of plants and foods from nature - 3 years after birth, mothers stay home with their child - group of kids together on the road, walking to school - malnutrition - "What a hard life ..." - impunity - severe urban air pollution - 5 hours to travel 200 km - work abroad and send money - care for each other and solidarity - untended limp leg - lessons of life to take home - sewage dispersing - drizzle - use of the adjective for the second time again, to strengthen the frase - “eh eh” - unsafe station area - you will be served at the table, hostess eat in the kitchen - loud TV, music, noise - strict sects - the food is very heavy on the stomach - if it‟s too much, best take what‟s left home - protocol takes hours to say goodbye - people talk to each other in a waiting room and on the bus - a toothless woman wiping the floor between your feet - not all students who were studying in the city return back home at the countryside - unemployment - pitch black hair, long braids with a colored ribbon through - baggage is a packed in a square cloth - dark skin - silent listening - at school: "We travel to learn." - bought drinks are not cooled - small stature, often lean - babies wrapped in a cloth, to wear on the backs - the cowboy also works on Sundays - child on a garbage pile - most women share their experiences and conversations among women only - flowers braids - pagans get up early - toilet paper is not used, but toilets are equiped with it - huge confections ateliers with extremely low wages - time machine by Professor Barabas

31 - pig slaughtered together with all the neighbours - no one has become rich by working here - is there a way to get rich, besides theft? - the café is a kiosk, you stand outside the bar - sell your shoes on the market and walk back home barefooted - buy drinks bottles already opened - armed private security at banks - the women add up more than half of their lives in the kitchen - the patience to make fire - manual labor, few machines - they talk about children living in the streets, in the capital - in the shop: thin plastic baggies in soft delicate colors - beggar begging at the intersection of two busy streets - the clock in the station is not correct - it smells stale, broken seats, sleeping people - suffering from cold - images and stories of my father and grandfathers' time - things hung over the fence for drying - man wearing cargo in the back, which is greater than himself - daily wage of a notary or lawyer is 200 times the wages of the ordinary man or woman - shelter for abandoned children and youth - the administration loves using lots of stamps, many names and signatures - corruption - no creosote smell, but bleach - chickens scratch at the door

D. Travel log 15-29 november 2009

Objectives of the travel in november 2009:

Visits for implementation, to Dr. Bellinck in Oradea - Family homes in Bihor - New project: CKG, Alexandru Tiba, director of "Lonely Poplars"

University In Oradea: - Initiation request to Dr. Bellinck and An and Annemie - Prof. Ioan Chelemen (founder of the family homes) in Cluj-Napoca: - Department of Social Sciences - Asking about contact details of Stela and Calin Domocoş, on the spot

Visit the family home in Bratca - Evaluation meeting in July with Ter Loke - Proposals of contacts in schools and universities - Discuss work goals of this trip

Follow travel with Marjolein Van Dijk - Adina Patroc in Asco - Fundatia Romana - NGO Sara Wade

Working on the report Writing is exploring the world - Part of the final report - Part of the annual report for Ter Loke - Newspaper article search for the report - Refine the photo material

32

Seeking Professor Ioan Chelemen, the one who first founded a family home of the state in Bratca, with the help of Belgians (see Huroki vzw). After a thorough preparation for a possible interview at the university, and armed with my degree, experience, contacts and acquaintances, my previous visits, ideas and concerns for the sector, a presentation of our project, full of stamps and signatures and a letter of support, in case I should had no one to speak to, I could get started. During the first week I followed the footsteps of Marjolein to the university. Through her story, I found my way faultlessly. Very kindly I was shown a room where prof. Chelemen worked. Suddenly, I stood there. The discussion was in Romanian. The professor knew Russian, but he had not the opportunity, under the regime, to learn other languages. The bit of French he knew got me more confused. Assistants and students speak English. The visit was very intense and heart-warming. We understood each other instantly. There were exchanges on the foundation of education. Then we switched over to the family homes. There are a lot now. Which I found to be good news. But there are other serious concerns: the training of foster parents and staff. There was no training necessary. They had the reduction in the major institutions and the pressure from abroad acted too fast. Those large institutions were empty. So to speak, get the women that were previously market vendors, and give them 10 children from a great institution, plus staff salaries and operating costs. They have no pedagogical training, neither psychological nor socio-human studies, neither didactic nor ortho-pedagogical concepts, but some medical and hygienic knowledge: they could wipe runny noses. He also raised questions about the activities of the children in those homes. Is it just a nursery? They are not little babies! These youngsters surely need attention and a natural bond with their family, school support, social contact and healthy outdoor recreation. Others, such as children with autism or disabilities, require a specific attitude. I expressed my concerns whether the attitude towards their own children is reversed. It soon became clear. We could work together. We could form a group and he asked quick and obvious questions: with whom? With parents in family homes, with students or colleagues in the university, the people from the Child Protection Service? We needed to make an appointment very quickly. Initially the group will not serve the foster parents, but the idea of education and training is certainly included. In the first place, the choice was not up to the Child Protection Service, who is politically appointed and changes constantly. They think very economical. So the university will initially serve as habitat for our concerns and further cooperation. Prof. Chelemen will put a group together in Oradea and he will also meet with the Director of Child Protection. I will constitute the group from Belgium.

33 The issues were discussed. Also we talked about increasing the number of placements, and I told them about the waiting lists we have. I've told about my text and the last sentence: "We sink the family homes in the silence”, or better said "they are dying". Already dead is perhaps even better said. There was much interest and surprise to my concern. "Why are there no more family homes in Belgium?"

The professor has a doctorate on this topic. I'm going to retrieve his books and courses.

A warm farewell and even exchanging email addresses. As I walked out the center, I was so happy, I was walking on clouds! I later returned to take the following photo: Strada Universitặţii

34 Intermezzo: Menu

In March I went for ten days in Bratca and I was in the family home every day.

Lunch 1:

Soup with potatoes Macaroni with diced meat

Lunch 2: Milk soup with cabbage Mashed potatoes, diced chicken and some stray carrots Cake

Lunch 3: Fries soup (potatoes soup, but potatoes are cut in fries shape) with a touch of green parsley, or a tomatoes cube White beans in red sauce and a few pieces of sausages

Lunch 4: Day 3 Macaroni Soup Meatballs and potatoes

Dinner 1:

Bread, tomatoes and pepper slices Cheese, salami Milk Chocolate

Dinner 2: A thick hot porridge Bread, butter, raw onion rings Jelly

Dinner 3 Cheese balls Sandwiches and paté

Dinner 4: Macaroni with macaroni Bread and dessert

There is also noodle soup, bean soup and bacon (only white bacon, with rind) Cabbage rolls with rice in it and a little chopped meat Spaghetti with a little sauce, bread and chocolate.

Marjoram spoke with an educator of the great institution "Centrul de Plasament II” in Oradea. There is only 2 euros per day per child, for food. They want to provide quality food, but complaint there is too little to eat. As a worker in the early 90s in the institution in Beiuş said: "The children were fed with pigs food. There was nothing else."

35 E. Proceedings of the contacts in Belgium.

1/ Presentation of the organizations

EuroBlue vzw

In the second quarter of 2009 we had a meeting after sending each other several emails. By talking and listening we got new ideas, we learned from each other and we could stimulate everyone involved. Striking for me was that already during our first phone call, the Vice President told me he wants to rejuvenate the organization. Then in July I worked taking care of Romanian children that arrived with the bus in Opdorp Buggenhout. I then picked-up the supervisor and she stayed in our home a few days. We got together for a declaration of arrival at the municipality.

36

Huroki vzw

I went to visit two big ladies from Ardooie in June. They work for Huroki association, i.e. help Romanian children. They already traveled to Romania in the Bihor district, in February 1990. They had to establish, as a pilot project, the first family home in Bratca, at the request of the Romanian government. That was when Ioan Chelemen was the Minister of Education (now he is a professor at the university).

Later there was a lot of work to do. See folder and on the Internet

37

Mioriţa

During 2009 I worked closely with Mioriţa. (www.miorita.be) The Romanian language classes gave me the opportunity to meet people and learn a lot about the country and its people. Especially the students with an interest in the social sectors knew my interest.

I was even asked to be part of the General Assembly. Because I had too much work, I have postponed my engagement in this area. I have joined the association and contributed with some volunteer activities.

Mail traffic during our search for an interpreter: Do you have the impression, regarding language and culture, that the Romanians do not say exactly what they mean? Sometimes it is difficult to know exactly what they want to say. We should take that into account during discussions?

It's not an impression, it is reality. Intercultural communication is an art. We do not need to look far for Moroccans or Maya. Communication between Western Europe and Eastern Europe is significantly different. Romanians communicate and (inter)act indeed different from the Flemings and Wersterlingen in general. Their communication is less direct. They dare not (always) say what they think about a particular subject because they are afraid not to hurt anybody or not to lose anything. Sometimes it is also a feeling of inferiority that plays a role, because they are not strong and confident enough on certain topics. Or they simply believe that the others are stronger just because of their financial position. To master a foreign language is an additional problem (for some people, especially the older generation). That ofenly leads to misunderstandings. Errors can happen on both sides in the commmunication process and the information is percieved completely differently. Nuances are important too. The Flemish are indeed very direct and this immediacy is sometimes offensive. Or can be interpreted as arrogance. Dutch is a Germanic language, compared to the Romanian, which is a Roman (Latin) language. Both language strains imply a different kind of communication. Dutch is a short, powerful and directly described language, while Romanian is a “florished” language, similar to the French or Italian rhetoric. Sometimes people ask the same question several times before they get the right answer. Golden path lies somewhere in the middle, right?

vzw Oradea and Doctor Bellinck 38

During the Romanian lessons I went to see Dr. Bellinck from Lier. He has been working several years in Oradea, and he was even named a honorary citizen. He knows the director of the Child Protection in Feldioarei and Professor Ioan Chelemen at the university. They collaborate with various family homes, I think mainly light mentally handicapped children. He and his wife and daughter have a very good view of the youth welfare in Bihor and surroundings. I also received news about a new social service center, accessible and no longer under the nose of the Child Protection Service in Feldioarei. Also I got an address of a new institution, similar to our CKG, Center for Child and Family, where the parents voluntarily contribute. This would lead to fewer institutionalizations. Unfortunately, I met this man on my way. This happened just before my last trip. I resume classes next month and we can easily resume contacts. I think we can learn a lot from him. www.vzworadea.eu

2/ Meeting in Ter Loke on 28/07/2009 Purpose

Meeting Experience Exchange Support Thinking together We want to sit with Stela and everybody at the table and listen. The strong people here and elsewhere can give them new energy. Work together is a process, something that must evolve. It takes time and can not be forced. Then we will have our future action plans and their feasibility, to better match the actual situation in Romania.

Attendees

Stela Domocoş, casa tip familial, Bratca, Bihor Annie Tuyten, Huroki vzw, president, Ardooie Anne-Mie Govaere, Huroki vzw, vicepresident, Ardooie Ton du Maine, Euro Blue, treasurer Dirk Van Hoof, Euro Blue, vicepresident Nicole, wife of Dirk van Hoof. Florinela Petcu, translator, cultural differences expert, Mioriţa, Antwerpen Lex Vorsselmans, Ter Loke, Turnhout, director Special Youth Care Ria Verschueren, Ter Loke, pedagog, family home 1981-2008 Koen Van Eyck, Ter Loke, policies employee Marjolein van Dijk, social worker, master student in sociology, reporter.

A. Make time to listen a/ Representation b/ Objective Stela with her husband has a family home in Bratca. Objective of the meeting is an exchange with various organizations, so reciprocity is central. Are there opportunities in the Bihor district, from which we can better understand the social services and the living in Romania? How does the Youth Assistance function in Romania? What is going well, what are the possible problems? It is important that all sides can complete each other in that area. c/ Stela Stela has started a family home in 2000 as a social worker and is now following a Master's program. She has developed additional studies, had previously received an engineering education. Bottlenecks within the Youth Assistance are very general; children that end up in family homes come from large families. Stela and her husband can expect an entire team. From the Children Protection there will be a social worker and a psychologist.

There are no particular problems, rather the usual problems of everyday life. Material support is very 39 important, in the past Stela already got help from the people of Huroki. Yet there is also a need for moral support, on the other hand, this is still taboo in Romania. People quickly get labeled as 'incompetents'. d/ Comments It‟s notable that if you are in a family home, your day job is not confined to a few hours. It is much more than that. The Ter Loke project was conceived based on Ria‟s experience. Lex wonders what concrete value Stela can provide to Ter Loke. It is important to exchange experience and to recognize each other. Sometimes we put things too much "through a Western eye"; on the other hand it is also true that we live in a society where perhaps more "western values" reign. It is therefore important to learn to set up a different lens. Stela adds that the most important is how children feel, not for how long she works. This is a major evolution when you look at the past.

B. What would be a good support for Stela? (Microlevel) a/ Stela The home receives subsidies from the government, but they are not in large amounts, and material assistance is most welcome. Stela‟s the home is one of the first institutions fitted by the Belgian model. There is no moral support in Romania. Child protection is still mostly an abstraction. Moral support is obtained mainly from friends and from each other as a couple. It is important for Stela to draw strength from herself, luckily a friend of her is a child psychologist, so when it gets a little harder, she can go to her. Moral support is still a taboo in Romania. b/ Comments Vzw Huroki wonders if there is any moral support or competence for the Child Protection service? Stela indicates that she supports the Child Protection, but that is not completed by moral support. This is situated at present more in the areas of administration, control and budget. Lex reflects on the strength of Stela. If you are active in the Special Youth, you work very hard, and how can we sustain this? Psychological support is very important, but also cooperation between the organization and government and vice-versa. Ton wonders if there is a chance that we can reach the Romanian government in a certain way, from Belgium. c/ History of the Special Youth Care in Romania (Annie) Child protection is still in its infancy in Romania. In the early '90s, there were distressing situations. So far, much progress has been made, thanks to the material assistance from foreign organizations such Huroki. In 1993, a pilot project was established in Bratca by the Ministry of Education, around Child Protection Service. In 1995 the project 'casa tip familial‟ started in Bratca, and it was an example for the whole Romania. Within a short time, couples who were willing to establish a family home were sought. In the beginning was not easy.

d/ Romania has recently become a member of the European Union. Were the Youth Assistance initiatives funded by the European Union? Annie added that the Special Youth belonged to education in the past. In recent years, various initiatives were taken, around Child Protection, both large and small projects. There are now over thirty temporary projects in the Bihor region. Stela adds that holiday camps have been established for children from the Special Youth. Another project is the construction of studios for young adults from the Special Youth, so that they have more privacy. Step by step actions are undertaken. The „tip familial' homes are mainly created by foreign foundations. The Romanian government supports these initiatives financed from abroad. The financing of the Special Youth can be seen as an economic problem. Moreover, the political situation is important: depending on which party is at power in Romania, that financial envelopes are put to a good use or not. e/ Conclusion: According to Stela and Huroki association, the material support is the greatest need in Romania. The people around the table were in some way to provide moral support to Stela. Yet this is a problem in Romania. We need not to press to hard with the 'moral support' from Belgium, but on the other hand it may be there already. Romania has come a long way.

Stela does not know what Ter Loke still can offer best for her. Annie adds that perhaps it can be useful if we are reverse-thinking. For example better understanding the operation of the Special Youth, what 40 requirements have the Child Protection Service from the „tip familial' homes etc.

Stela does indicate that support is always welcome, it does not have to be moral support. Material support would be more than welcome. Thoughts and experiences would certainly be an added value to all parties, but this is not one of the greatest needs.

Ter Loke indicates that particular attention needs to be given to the daily care of young people, and they can offer them support but they are not able to provide material support.

Finally we can conclude that the material support is the highest need for Stela. Nevertheless, the initiatives of the Government and Child Protection Service are a big step into the right direction. It is a process which needs time to mature. Experience exchange is not really Stela‟s greatest demand, but could be an added value.

C. The project can add value to the quality of the Special Youth Care in Romania? (Middle level)

Lex shows that Belgium has extensive experience with family homes, at present, however it has no meaning in Belgium. Can the experience of family homes from Belgium be an added value, so that both countries can complete each other? a / How the Romanian government would possibly respond to our organizations? Ton indicates that you may get some connections in the government, through the Child Protection Service. At the same time, he wonders whether it can have an interest to introduce yourself. Is this necessary? Perhaps it is important to let the time go its course, eventually the Child Protection Service is still in its infancy in Romania. It is not long, since 1990. Annie then adds that in 20 years an enormous progress has been in the area of Child Protection. The road is open for solutions, eg. the creation of a foster care service in Romania was very important. b/ Consultations with other family homes in the area. Support from other family homes in Romania also means an added value for Stela. This used to be mostly informal, now there are always more formal gatherings where they can exchange experiences and thoughts. There are co-operation offers sent from the various family homes. The bottom line is that a lot of projects are presented, and the Child Protection Service has innovative ideas, but mainly because of shortage of funds. Increasingly attention is paid to the training of social workers, not all social workers had previously a proper trained. Training and assistance are important. In order to employ workers, official state examinations are now held. c/ Interns can add value? Stela indicates that students come regularly for internships, in different centers, especially those for elders or persons with disabilities. Yet they are a bit fickle compared to the trainees in the Special Youth, they lack sufficient experience. Interns from Belgium could not really be sent there, because a lot of time goes into training. The language barrier should not be underestimated. Stela saw the opposite idea, however: Romanian students may come to Belgium for internship. That way they would receive a lot of teaching experiences. It was asked whether there was possible that staff in the family homes can be employed in Belgium for a certain period. Stela indicates that this is almost impossible because workers can not simply do what they want. Moreover, not everyone speak English and not everyone is equally ambitious. In the end, Ria said they would search for contacts at the University of Leuven and colleges in Antwerp, to see if we can support the Romanian students, eg. by more practical experience in the training process. Romania‟s and Belgium‟s Curricula would be exchanged.

D. Exchange

41 Ria indicates that we can help Romania learn a lot from Belgium. Youngsters in the Special Youth for instance, may study up to 26 years, but in Belgium it‟s 18 years (but studies extending is possible). Lex adds that this is admirable, it gives youngsters a chance. In Belgium, young people from the BJB don‟t have many possibilities to education. Furthermore, foster families receive a wage which in Belgium is not the case. It is called "assistente maternelle". The Romanian government is taking this action to reduce the number of children in family homes. The objection was, however, that here also a lot of abuse is made, for many people it's become an additional source of income. Also, children of foster families are still to be adopted by their families. For the government it is the institutions problem to reduce the number of children. We can provide experience and practice and they can learn some lessons from that.

Conclusion After July 28 there was significantly more cooperation between different organizations. The contacts run smoothly and efficiently.

Stela's stay during the month of August has brought peace and a minimum of activities. We have pushed very hard during her stay in Wortel and she literally sat in the garden with her embroidery. Other families of EuroBlue, where she was staying, have not burdened her with activities.

During her stay, thanks to our meetings, she received much recognition and gain experiences and ideas. To confirm this, I even heard that she was much more confident.

Our results may be only a little tangible, but no less valuable.

IV. THEMATIC APPROACH

A. Schools

I visited the “Karel de Grote” highschool in Antwerp, more specifically the Department of remedial education for youth criminology, by the Applied Social Sciences in the South Campus in Brussels Street.

42 The woman who is half-time People‟s Advocate there, works the rest of her time for internationalization. It is about student internships and study abroad, but also on encouraging exchanges of teachers.

"We send students over there, also preferably in collaboration with a university or a college and, if there is a bilateral agreement between the institutions, we also receive students. At this stage very few provided sufficient support for non-native speakers. We are working on that... We currently have no experience with Romania, but there are discussions in order to introduce a European network of institutions from the field and training. The advantage of bilateral agreements is that Erasmus scholarships can be granted. Internships are not really needed: students can receive a scholarship for an internship in a foreign institution, provided they meet various conditions and a lot of paperwork!

There is an annual conference for all European educational institutions regarding the promotion and exploring the opportunities for international exchanges. We have searched among all names of participants in Dubrovnik in 2007 and recorded two Romanian names: a professor from Iasi and an assistant from Bucharest. Amsterdam 2008 gave us names of employees from Pestalozzi, from the capital. In Parma in 2009 were two Romanian participants, someone from an unknown organization, and finally one of 'us' district of Bihor Fundatia Ruhama. (See travel 3) These names remain in my writing and may be contacted for example if we want to continue the training of personnel. I noticed on the Internet that they are also working in Iaşi.

I received in the “Karel de Grote” highschool a lot of interesting materials and explanations. There is a possibility to receive social studies via “distance learning”. This program "Educ-Europe" was chosen by the European Commission and was started in 2007. You can get credits by studying at home and Romania, with its many remote areas, would be very interested. We often heard about the need for staff training and education of couples of family homes, especially in Bratca and universities. François Vest, the responsible in Brussels, has equally been a fascinating man.

The Leonardo da Vinci program offers subsidized internships, under the dome of Erasmus or "Lifelong Learning". Just search the internet with Google and you get a lot of information! For Erasmus, I found Johan Geentjes, as a coordinator in Brussels. As for the King Baudouin Foundation and the Anna Lindh Foundation, I refer to the Finances section.

We have made a commitment with the “Karel de Grote” highschool. We will certainly collaborate further. Currently a student follows a Romanian course. She will leave next school-year.

Perhaps the development of a network to organize training is too early. "You do not have to come over there!", I was told. You must first gain trust and that takes time. First there is a need for solid research. I spoke with Stela about this. She concurred to that argument.

I have contacts for further cooperation in the University of Leuven, Department of Pedagogy and Psychology. Also, a criminology student wants to write her thesis over an aspect of the family homes in Bihor.

From the internet: The Comenius program is one of the four sector programs of the European Programme "Lifelong Learning" and is aimed at all levels of school education, nursery and primary education, all forms of secondary education (ASO, TSO, (D ) BSO and KSO), special (primary and secondary) education but also teacher training and continuing education.

General objectives: Develop the knowledge and understanding about the cultural and linguistic diversity in Europe and its 43 value, among young people and teachers Teach young people the skills and competencies needed to help personal development, future employment and active European citizenship

Specific objectives: Mobility of students and staff in the various Member States to increase quantitatively and qualitatively Partnerships between schools in different Member States to increase quantitatively and qualitatively, thus the duration of the LLP to involve at least 3 million pupils in joint educational activities Promoting the learning of foreign languages The development of innovative ICT-based content, services, educational approaches and practices for lifelong learning; The reinforcement European dimension of quality in education and training enhancing for teachers; Improvements in pedagogical approaches and school management support www.educ-europe.eu www.heb-defre.be www.somepro.be www.leonardodavinci.nl www.kdg.be/saw www.projects-abroad.nl www.epos-vlaanderen.be www.prinz-philippe-fonds.org www.kbs-frb.be/index.aspx?LangType=2067 www.comeniusvlaanderen.be

B. Youth as ambassadors of the family homes.

The intention was to get the youth involved in various phases of the process.

At the end of February 2009, I organized a brainstorm. I came into contact with students through a cousin of mine. She studies psychology, there was another that studies criminology, and there was someone at the college of pedagogy and a sociologist in the gathering. 44 Together with them we have spent a whole evening discussing the possibilities of our project in the future. From the academics I expect them to help us thinking.

I have briefly presented the plans and then listened to their ideas and suggestions. I've listened to their stories, desires, ambitions, internships, thesis, holiday or voluntary work. Very excited, they would have hit the road, after they have already been given a tour, and have discussed the severity, treatment, subsidies, the language problem and the perception of Romanians over Belgium and Europe. They already considered some interesting topics to write about in a thesis.

On April 22 I attended together with Marjolein Van Dijk at an information meeting in Brussels, at Jint association in the Rue Grétry. “Youth Point Abroad” helps you get started with information and scholarships. This means EVS - European Voluntary Service. Of course, you can not just quickly proceed with these organizations. It costs you no money, but a lot of trouble. Obviously it requires thorough preparation and a lot of administration. Best is to allow them one year prior to start.

A second information session by Extra Time taught us that, for a short time abroad you can build your own project, and that with money from the Flemish Community.

There were competent and enthusiastic employees present there, from the two organizations. They helped us very well and it is best to continue the administration with them. Heavily burden with information, we returned. There was insufficient time for Marjolein to leave even with Extra Time in the summer or autumn of 2009. That would have been possible, but it was too difficult to combine it with her studies at that time of year.

There are many different options regarding the country of destination, duration and partner organizations. For Romania there are already actions with partner organizations. Specific to our work in Bihor and family homes, we have not yet filed candidacy. I spoke in Oradea and Bratca, but it seemed too fast. This is certainly possible later.

Youth and travel www.kamiel.info www.vrijwilligersweb.be www.peja.be www.aanpakkenenwegwezen.be www.jeugdbeleid.be www.4depijler.be www.diplomatie.be www.jint.be www.jint.be/aanpakkenenwegwezen www.youthinaction.be

Around the time that a student went over there for us and following our meeting in July, there was an intensive exchange of views between us and three organizations (Euro Blue, Huroki and Mioriţa), in connection with the work of the youth and rejuvenation of the organization. Some of the mails from that time: "For me, the issue is: what for the future? We all have a reasonable age. May the good health and family situation continue, we can still go on. But for how long? A few years? Another ten years? Yes, but maybe not 20 or 25. Our forces will decrease and there will be a time when we will have to accept it. Succession is not very important, then? Knowing that our work and our commitment continues? That the solidarity with the poor across borders survives, even within the youth of today, when some of them joined the cause, and all begins to take a concrete shape... Is it not our place to give them the opportunity to develop themselves and find their way? "

Some other responses to my call: "I understand you very well and I think there's definitely something to do - we then make you president / director / mother superior (your choice) of our social affairs directorate..." 45 "Thanks for the information. We follow you with interest. " "Success!"

Our meeting in July made it possible for a good cooperation and efficient correspondence.

C. Price tag

Thanks again to Ter Loke, who gave me the opportunity to gain these experiences. Total expenses were reimbursed from the operating funds. We didn‟t requested sponsoring. In the "Youth" section I have made a reference for possible funding from the Flemish Community (by Jint), from European funds by EVS and by the Leonardo da Vinci program. For further sponsorship, there is no research done yet. There are possibilities for the Anna Lindh Foundation and the King Baudouin Foundation. (Links in attachments)

I could not continue to expand the possibilities of subsidies from the Province of Antwerp. I could not find information on the website: “Service temporarily unavailable”. For our further development we will need to rely on volunteers, or we will have to find someone who engages in searching for other resources.

D. Exchange: “sens dublu”

“Sens dublu” means two-way traffic. How often have I been asked last year: "Is that really collaboration development?" The fact that this question was not so evident proves the few explicit responses to my question, at our meeting in July. The agenda was previously passed. What can we learn from the Romanians? I was disappointed when there were virtually no replies.

The comment: "Yes, you know what to do and you must go over there and tell them!" came regularly. This was definitely not the intention. The purpose was an exchange of ideas and experiences. Whatever they learned after my visit over there can not be estimated. Throughout this report, I repeatedly cited what topics we have discussed: as tutoring, after-care, personnel, training, own children, support, finances etc.. In many ways there were similarities and we found each other caring for the studies, the people who left, dealing with educators, searching for money... I have such extensive stories about our beginnings in 1982 and 1983, to make clear how poor we were then, that I could not buy even a green apple when I was pregnant, that we could not repay loans with the late aids from the government, the constant care for food and heating...

This is a process. We went walking together, without knowing the end point, without knowing in advance what roads and byways we would take. Something has to grow with time, and you can not force it. It is important to look at them on an equal basis and not because we have more money. It is important to maintain contact. "What did I accomplish there?" I often asked myself. We live in a country of 'doers' and forget about relationships, to go and listen. Just to sit down and listen. The opposite of “doing”. Do we still have time to "feel" whether it‟s good or not?

Very challenging was the fact that you can see yourself in somebody else, who - as I used to be – worked continuously, very perfectionist, little rested and caring for himself. I felt the pain, the stress and determined nature of the past history.

46 Occasionally I tell myself that avoiding burnout, searching for resources and keeping in touch with your contacts should be the message, in my opinion.

What we can learn from them can be told further. What have we learned? Can Romania be a model for us?

- Social and family relationships are very important to them. We live in houses as boxes. Their life together, the sense of family, village and community is clearer. Silent witnesses are the banks in front of almost every home in the villages.

- The Romanian philosophy is quieter, less hurried, more to the Spanish mañana. They have a different approach to the concept of time. They have their own rate, which is their way of being. The Sunday rest is important. An educator in a large institution sank in the armchair for one hour at home, after her 8 hours shift was finished, and said: "I'm not Zeus!"

- The attitude toward elders. Their background includes a wealth of knowledge.

- People on the street greeting everyone in the villages. Often people stop their activities and begin to chat. On the train you're never alone. The people talk to you.

- They see our problems, but they keep back, giving voice to it and being a mirror for us is not in their culture. They dare not, could and should not, especially not to foreigners, from which a lot of material support is still coming from. He who pays the piper...

47 - Not the quantity of contacts and visits determines your assessment, but the depth of the conversations and meetings.

- People can have three (!) year maternity leave. And it is financially feasible, I have heard no complaining. Only if you're a good educator, to be missed for so long...

- The cricket and the ant. Aren‟t we ants too much? And forgot to sing like a cricket? In Romania you see that there is a supply of wood in every house, but that is freshly cut and cleaved one or two days before use.

Specifically in terms of a family home:

- Young people can stay in the Special Youth Assistance for 26 years, while studying. Is this not a good system?

- Foster families are paid more than the operating costs, so they get a salary. An idea for us? Where we suffer from a shortage of foster parents and long waiting lists for placements?

- The family homes are under construction in Romania. They are in an early stage. Evaluation is imperative. And in Flanders? Are they all gone? Why is there a general silence enforced over this issue?

Who will help them think and search?

48 V. PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS

A. Open tracks Throughout this report, I cited several times an opportunity for further operation in Romania or here in Belgium. These traces can be followed. Knowledge, help and guidance will always come.

Mioriţa is very open to young people and commitment. They were very quick in their response to my call. I was actually bombed immediately to become Mother Superior of social affairs there.

In the organization Euro Blue there is certainly interest in innovation and young blood. They are also open for analyzing with a critical eye. My first reaction, upon hearing that there are children coming here on buses for annual vacation, was: "Ouch!" I wandered if they do not spoil too much material and if there are limits? Those kids will always come to the same family? Later I learned that for the Romanians everything basically comes down to economic aid. The children were deducted one month from the cost, and also get clothes for one year. People at Euro Blue also want to build bridges to connect people and hope that individual relationships with the children coming in vacation may be recorded for a long time. Training for foster families would be a luxury? Or not?

Huroki is not actively involved, but willing to cooperate. A cautionary note can be placed on the age of the children who will leave in Belgian families. Is this a good formula for small children? Maybe later it can be a research subject? I sometimes ask myself questions. Who could believe that after more than 20 years after the fall of Ceauşescu, still there are trucks with supplies and thousands of dollars driving to Romania? Yet it is true. Where is that state? Where is their responsibility? Are we on the way to the paternalism? Of course, as in Haiti, they first need subsidies. But let us think about the future and look for structural solutions. "In Romania everything is financially solid," said the president.

A possible track for the future is the use of the media, here and elsewhere. Many opportunities through schools and youth organizations were mentioned, and I would go too far to repeat this here again.

At the Karel de Grote College, I had been given a tip that I did not immediately spit out. Later I discovered the website of Somepro vzw, with their headquarters located in Turnhout, which even had projects that have been or still are associated with the staff training in the Special Youth Care, in the city of Iasi. This track has not been studied. This will work for the summer 2010, after finishing this report, so that I can make clear to them what we are doing.

We received very quickly an opening to collaboration with volunteers from Adina Patroc at Asco and Sarah Wade at Romanian Relief. Also Dr. Bellinck may be of help.

Following our meeting on July 28 in Ter Loke, with different organizations and a Romanian foster mother from the family home in Bratca, we now carefully formulate a decision. - The taboo on moral support is still real. - The Child Protection Service has control, mainly from administrative level. Support should not be expected. It is a political hornet's nest. - As the family home in Bratca was a pilot project, we expect the Romanian government to take this advice and analyze the pros and cons. It was said then that it is important to the Romanian state to reinforce the evaluation. - There are very good ideas over there. The problem is every time again: money.

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Therefore I will partly follow my choice for the university and further collaborate with Prof. Chelemen in Oradea. A university can, hopefully, thinking independently. I want to go down this road. I want to work with all our former guests for maintaining of the "family home" method. Of course it will be a long process.

B. Open end The past two years I experienced a real adventure. It was an enterprise in a difficult subject and this in a complex political, cultural, historical and social context. Sometimes it was not difficult, but very difficult. But certainly very interesting and instructive. I have a lot of impressions. Sometimes they reinforce ideas. Sometimes they bring nuance. Sometimes they call questions. It was not intended to be comprehensive and to reflect all the nuances. I'm willing for further talks and I will welcome with open arms the one who will help us.

In Romania I met the continuing concern for the every day‟s basic needs. This proved to be the main explanation that hides behind the most behaviors. Poverty and care for tomorrow absorbs a lot of energy. What do you do if your child is sick and you have no money for the doctor? "If the Romanians are trying to hold their heads above the water, it sometimes seemed that my pedagogy luggage is a luxury problem. I am sometimes asked: Could it be that we are there too early? ”Daβ Fressen erst kommt, dann kommt die Moral." (“First comes the food, then the moral.”) Bertolt Brecht

Romania must go it‟s own way. At the moment, everything comes from the West. Part of it is good, but certainly not all. They are often just a cheap labor force. They re-discover the good things of their socialist society. Development organizations must make themselves a claim, wrote J. Vandaele in MO in May this year. We must continue to beware of charity, which can start to smell. A self-sufficient lender will humiliate people more, than help them. Humiliated and the constant repetition makes them people start thinking they are inferior. It also discourages people. And that the Romanians have already been through enough in their history. Let them be respected.

I like to quote Enrique Corral from Guatemala: "Solidaridad es el más noble Sentimiento del ser humano." ”Solidarity is the most noble human feeling.”

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Talking about big institutions was not a priority. I omitted that as much as possible. Its location on the edge of town, beside a stream and a wide mud road, behind a military domain with large, gray, cumbersome and desolated buildings, in a same desolated garden, still says something. I will not dig more into the stories about providing new mattresses and the burning of the worn, rotten and full of worms old ones. Neither about that institution like a garbage bin, belonging to the youth welfare, where the hardest guests sit, the disabled, the ones with behavioral problems. I must bear in mind very often: be careful, my line is the family homes. But this matter is interconnected. If I defend the small homes, I meet, of course, the opposite pole. What happened in the large institutions in Romania, I can classify it as state terrorism. But the poverty in which the sector is struggling now seems to be a scheme to encourage foreign aid. The small homes offer more opportunities for more direct and personal encounters in the field, but they are often criticized for a lack of efficiency. We also had this during our careers. And we were advised to merge, in the early years of this decade. Back to larger units. Who sees the forest and also the trees? Romanians may not bounce the ball back? Prof. Chelemen almost fell off his chair when I told him that there are no more family homes in Flanders. Pearl in a pigsty We are aware that we have shot the big bird with the couple in Bratca: they are rare birds. With their enthusiasm, commitment and vision, they are very progressive and perform pioneering work in their country.

I have the impression that the interest from abroad has done well to the Romanians we met. Our results are not measurable. As the seeding of plants, there are seeds that can germinate in young people, in social workers, people which I told about my work, in hard workers, both there and here. Measurability is not possible. The process is important. The contacts are valuable. This was rather a start. No one left home with a concrete solution, but with a warm feeling; we understood each other and promised to keep in touch. Now people know and feel that they are alone.

It would be very interesting to look elsewhere in Europe for family homes. I will certainly do this. The writing of a thesis is now in progress, at the University of Leuven, regarding this matter, which I will certainly follow. And certainly stimulate further research.

A long cherished dream, which is reanimating the family homes, this is my wish ……………………..

51 VI. WORK IN 2010 To be continued …

VII. ANEXES

A. Bibliography - Geert Mak “In Europe” "Travels through the 20th century. 16th edition, November 2007. Atlas, Amsterdam - Antwerp Chapter XII December Bucharest - Jan-Willem Bos e.a. "Twelve Year Romania Bulletin 1994-2006" one of the articles. Go-Bos Press – Leidersdorp – 629 p. - Trotter Bulgaria Romania - Lannoo Tielt - 2008 - National Geographic Travel Guide Romania - Kosmos Uitgevers, Utrecht / Antwerp - 271 p. - Jan-Willem Bos 'Romania' Country Series - 2007, Kit Publishers - Amsterdam - Oxfam Novib and 11.11.11 - 130 p. - Florin Andreesen „România‟ – Ad Libri, Bucureşti, 2008 – 120 p. - vzw OSBJ “ „t Is hier veel ça va”. A look at the world of the youth in the Special Youth Care – aug. 2008, Politeia – Brussel - Ciprian Torj Annual report 2007 „Empathy in social development‟ – Oradea, Primus, 2008, ISBN 978- 973-88852-0-2 – 101 p. - Sanford V. 'Buried Secrets' - New York, Palgrave Macmillon, 2003, p. 313 - Slavoj Zizek „Geweld‟ – De Morgen, 9 september 2009, p. 37-38 - Raúl S. Costa „Abajo el comunismo‟ – El País, 20 december 2009, p. 6 - Barbara Celis e.a. „Niños del mundo‟, El País semanal, 15 november 2009 - Leen Huet, "Time Racism" in Knack, 20 January 2010, p 89. - Catherine Vuylsteke, "Three-quarters of a million Russian children live without parents", De Morgen, 24 November 2009 - Julien Weverbergh, "Presidential Elections in Romania" in Knack, 19 December 2009 p 125-128 - Frank Schlömer, "Romania and Bulgaria too lax in combating corruption" in De Morgen, 24 July 2009, p 14 - Frank Schlömer, “The Iron Curtain Road. In Timişoara emerged the new Romania” in De Morgen, 31 -7-09, - Eric Rinckhout, “In Romania, the West is still Paradise. Wrongly.” In De Morgen, 7 May 2008 - Central America Info, a quarterly magazine, No 1, 2008 - - John Vandaele e.a. "Development Organisations should make themselves indispensable" in MO nr 64, May 2009, p 18-23 - Eric Depreeuw, “Former c‟est notre métier” in Nsangu ya Bwala, nr 4, May 2009 - Lieve Blancquaert and Auxiliary prisons in Leuven "Penalty", Globe, Brussels, 2006, p 196 - F. Huet, „Nos salvó la sagrada selva‟, Cobán, Guatemala, 2008, 355 p

B. TV-stories / Video - 'Heads' British broadcasting - Spring 2009 - Duchess Sarah Ferguson and two princesses visit institutions in Turkey, Bucharest and Oradea. Sarah Wade is interviewed. - 'In Europe' - VPRO Roel van Broekhoven - the book by Geert Mak - 1989 Romania 2009 - „The lost world of communism. Socialism in one family. Ceauşescu‟ – BBC 2009 – documentary van Lucy Hetherington & Peter Molloy - Romania in pictures - TVR Romania - „4 months, 3 weeks & 2 days‟ – Cristian Mungiu – 2007 Radio

- http://cultural.srr.ro Newspapers

- Evenimentul Zilei National Edition www.evz.ro - România Libera - www.ziare.ro - www.ovidan.ro (p= articles.details.1324)

52 C. Romanian language

- www.miorita.be - www.ideasapiens.com/cursos/cursos-academico - www.roemeens.com - www.aprendemas.com - www.internetpolyglot.com - www.leerroemeens.nl - www.seelrc.org:8080/grammar/pdf/stand_alone_romanian.pdf - www.scribd.com/doc/13399104/FSI-Romanian-Reference-Grammar-Christina-N-Hoffman - www.cultural.srr.ro - www.dexonline.com - www.edicioneslu.com - „Diccionario Rumano‟ Ediciones Librería Universitaria S.L. 2004 – Barcelona – 687p. - Eugenia Tanasescu „Teach yourself Romanian‟ – published by Teora – ISBN 973-20-0374-X - Martine Coene m.m.v. Lutrecia Toderik "Romanian for beginners' - Academia Press, Gent, 1998, x + 375p., 3rd edition - Mihail Bichir „Dicţionar de Buzunar Olandez – Român en Român – Olandez – Bucureşti, Editura Semne, 1994, 514p, 382p. - Mioriţa, Belgian-Romanian socio-cultural association "Romanian for Beginners", Antwerp, 2008, p. 104 - Van Dale Lexicography, Marike Dokter, "Romanian Phrase Book What and How", Utrecht / Antwerpen, Kosmos, 2007, 14th edition, 222 p. - Explanatory Dictionary of Romanian language.

D. Internet Explorer

- www.paviro.org Informatie Roemeense dorpen - http://cf.hum.uva.nl/oosteuropa/ablak/artikelen2005/kinderbescherming_nov.html - www.stillehulp.eu/verslagreisoktober2005.pdf - www.vriendvoorroemenie.org - www.copii.ro - www.copii.ro/directieServiciu.aspx?judet=Bihor - www.traditii.ro - www.roemenië.be (startpagina : prikbord) - www.osbj.be - www.stillehulp.eu - www.partnership.com/downloads/roemenie/fotospecial.pdf - www.cjbihor.roe - www.ineuropa.nl - www.huroki.be - www.asco-oradea.ro - www.ruhama.ro - www.blikopafrika.be (Solidarity Fund Heverlee - New vision of development) - www.herent.be (Herent in the world) idem - www.terloke.be - www.vzworadea.eu

53 Schools and Finances:

- www.educ-europe.eu - www.heb-defre.be - www.somepro.be - www.leonardodavinci.nl - www.kdg.be/saw - www.projects-abroad.nl - www.annalindhfoundation.be/nl - www.epos-vlaanderen.be - www.prinz-philippe-fonds.org - www.kbs-frb.be/index.aspx?LangType=2067 - www.comeniusvlaanderen.be - www.epos-vlaanderen.be

Geography

- www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/romania.html - www.cjbihor.ro - www.oradea-bihor.ro - http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_Bihor

Youth and travel

- www.kamiel.info - www.vrijwilligersweb.be - www.peja.be - www.aanpakkenenwegwezen.be - www.jeugdbeleid.be - www.4depijler.be - www.diplomatie.be - www.jint.be - www.jint.be/aanpakkenenwegwezen - www.youthinaction.be

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