I have been asked numerous times how the decision to work and study in Romania this summer ever came about. It's a long story (at least a year's worth of details!), but I will try to answer it as clearly and concisely as I can.
When I came to Sighisoara two years ago, I had just finished my sophomore year at Malone, and being in the Honors program, needed to choose a topic for my Honor thesis project. I saw the thesis as my opportunity to bring together everything I had been studying at Malone - cross cultural work, ministry, and special education. Some of the career options I was considering were working in an overseas orphanage or teaching in a foreign, impoverished community. I saw thesis as my opportunity to combine the missions, cross-cultural ministry and special education components in a practical work experience while still under an umbrella of support from the Malone community. These thoughts were in the background during my three weeks in Romania.
During this same time, I was learning about special education in Romania, and more specifically, what services are available for children around the Sighisoara area. Though more is being done now, the government does not mandate free and appropriate education for all children in Romania. If a child has a moderate or severe disability which greatly impairs educational performance, physical mobility, or social interaction, he or she may drop out of school early, never attend, or enroll in an institution. It also seems that families who have children with disabilities are "on their own." Many families do not have a support network, people who come alongside them with understanding, love, and encouagement. Over the next six months this new knowledge coupled with old thoughts and my encounter with the boy in the park to become a growing burden on my heart. There were times of doubt when I began to seriously question what I felt God had shown me while in Romania - maybe the heart I had for the children and the urge I felt to go back were just emotional responses to what I had seen and experienced. Then I was brought back to Romans 11:29, "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." I had to trust that the calling I felt God placed on me while in Romania would be brought to fruition in His time.
I proceded with this mindset. As I thought, prayed, and talked with others, an idea began to form in my mind. Perhaps I could go back to Romania and work with Veritas to create a new program to meet the needs of children who have disabilities living in Sighisoara. In January 2009, I began putting together a detailed proposal - a copy to be submitted to Veritas proposing the creation of a new program, and a copy to be submitted as my thesis proposal. Veritas took my proposal seriously and began working through the details to determine whether or not this would be practical venture for their organization at this time. The thesis proposal was readily accepted by my thesis committee.
By mid-August, I knew Veritas was willing to look into beginning a new program, but it wasn't until January 2010 that I received actual confirmation. There was a valid need in the community, and Veritas felt it had the necessary space and staff to support a new program. I would be responsible for securing the necessary funding, both through fundraising efforts and grant writing. All of this being decided, I made the plans to come to Romania under the umbrella of the Romanian Summer Studies program and spend the summer (May 11 - August 2) volunteering with Veritas and working to establish a program for youth with disabilities.
When I came to Sighisoara two years ago, I had just finished my sophomore year at Malone, and being in the Honors program, needed to choose a topic for my Honor thesis project. I saw the thesis as my opportunity to bring together everything I had been studying at Malone - cross cultural work, ministry, and special education. Some of the career options I was considering were working in an overseas orphanage or teaching in a foreign, impoverished community. I saw thesis as my opportunity to combine the missions, cross-cultural ministry and special education components in a practical work experience while still under an umbrella of support from the Malone community. These thoughts were in the background during my three weeks in Romania.
I was watching a group of children play in the park just below the citadel one afternoon. One little boy, dressed in a bight yellow jacket, caught my eye. He was running and playing with the other children, but there was something different about him. He had a physical disability which affected his gait when walking and running. When he saw my camera, he was absolutely enthralled. He came over and started taking picture after picture of everything around him. We never did talk because of the language barrier; I didn't even learn his name. But for some reason, that encounter stuck with me. God really laid him on my heart.
I proceded with this mindset. As I thought, prayed, and talked with others, an idea began to form in my mind. Perhaps I could go back to Romania and work with Veritas to create a new program to meet the needs of children who have disabilities living in Sighisoara. In January 2009, I began putting together a detailed proposal - a copy to be submitted to Veritas proposing the creation of a new program, and a copy to be submitted as my thesis proposal. Veritas took my proposal seriously and began working through the details to determine whether or not this would be practical venture for their organization at this time. The thesis proposal was readily accepted by my thesis committee.
By mid-August, I knew Veritas was willing to look into beginning a new program, but it wasn't until January 2010 that I received actual confirmation. There was a valid need in the community, and Veritas felt it had the necessary space and staff to support a new program. I would be responsible for securing the necessary funding, both through fundraising efforts and grant writing. All of this being decided, I made the plans to come to Romania under the umbrella of the Romanian Summer Studies program and spend the summer (May 11 - August 2) volunteering with Veritas and working to establish a program for youth with disabilities.
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