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Raluca Bragarea

Head of Communications, Bucharest

Part of UK in Romania

4th November 2014 Bucharest, Romania

25 years of Children of Distress

2014 is an anniversary year because it marks 25 years since the 1989 Revolution. It also marks a milestone in the history of  British NGOs operating in Romania. One such example is Children in Distress, whose pioneer work for HIV positive children in the 1990s paved the way for professional palliative care in Romania. We’ve invited Valentina Zaharia, the charity’s Executive Director to share with us her impressions.

For the last 25 years, Children in Distress, a small charity registered in both the United Kingdom and Romania has cared for chronically, incurably or terminal, ill infants or those with disabilities, abandoned by their parents in poverty, as result of their condition and costs of treatment or simply left without appropriate quality care.

In September, Children in Distress celebrated its Silver Anniversary in Bucharest with staff, volunteers and supporters reflecting on how important it has been to offer tender loving care, and support. The last 25 years of caring for children has been amazing journey for all of us, tinged with sadness, touched with disappointment but full of a challenges, happiness, joy, and  satisfaction in delivering the best possible care.

25 years of Children in Distress
25 years of Children in Distress

Some 50 British supporters traveled to Romania for our week of celebrations, to visit the projects and programmes developed and delivered by the Charity, to see the beauties of Romania and enjoy the hospitality of its people.

Our celebrations ended with a moving Annual Service of Thanksgiving held in the Anglican Church of the Resurrection in Bucharest. The service, led by Bishop John Flack, the former Bishop of Huntingdon and Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome, was joined by the Paul Brummell, Her Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador in Romania, member of the Embassy staff and  many local supporters of our mission of care.

Children in Distress commemoration service
Children in Distress commemoration service

The Charity looks to continue its celebration with “Special Times for Children” a Family Concert of Festive Music presented in concert hall of The Romanian Music Academy, “Ciprian Porumbescu” at 18.00 on Wednesday 17th December.

Information and updates on events run by the charity are available on their Facebook page and website.

About Raluca Bragarea

I joined the British Embassy in 2004, and have ever since enjoyed one of the most diverse and challenging jobs as a professional communicator, from partnering up with MTV Romania…

I joined the British Embassy in 2004, and have ever since
enjoyed one of the most diverse and challenging jobs as a professional
communicator, from partnering up with MTV Romania to promote the UN
anti-poverty agenda to handling Prince Charles’ press conference on a
hill top in picturesque Transylvania. One of the highlights working for
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been the introduction of an
internship scheme in the Embassy; we bring along students from various
backgrounds to help us deliver our objectives while they get a unique
opportunity to learn hands-on about diplomacy.
I am a former TV journalist, specialising in foreign affairs, and a
Fulbright scholar. I hold a Master of Arts in Information and
Communication Studies with California State University at Chico.
I am a major cafe latte fan and like to collect hand-painted icons.
My other hobbies include travelling and watching movies with friends,
particularly Quentin Tarantino’s. The latest memorable film I watched
was District 9, a superb science fiction with a social twist – anybody
seen it?

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