ORM History

In the summer of 2000 following the worldwide publication of a documentary displaying the horrific conditions in institutions in Moldova, shown on BBC, BBCi and RTE; "Convoy to Moldova",  a large contingent of Irish Volunteers travelled to work with these wonderful children, including medical students, nurses, farmers, tradesmen, mum and dads.

• 180 little children at that time aged 4+ abandoned and orphaned due to their condition
• Temperatures of +40°C in summer and as low as -20°C in winter
• Little clothing - insufficient for the temperatures
• 3 to a bed - 2 to cot with insufficient sheets and blankets 
• No medical, washing, recreational or educational facilities
• No functional bathrooms, no hot or cold running water
• No heating in the living accommodation for the children, broken windows, no doors.
• Severe life threatening malnutrition and starvation
• Untreated medical conditions, neglected chronic infectious diseases and complete lack of medical intervention
• Emotional, psychological & physical neglect
• Drugs and aid delivered to the orphanage were mismanaged
• No stimulation, no love and no emotional support
• High death rates
  
  
  
   

Our immediate goal was to return the children's health back to an acceptable level and prevent the ongoing spectrum of death. A team of Irish specialists inspected the orphanage and it was clear that parallel projects would be needed immediately.

What started as a small idea, became a mammoth undertaking and 10 years later we are proud to stand alongside our Irish and Moldovan partners to review, adapt and implement solid, life giving and life changing programmes.