From England to Moldova
■ by Linda Summerfield “Winters are very harsh in Moldova,” earn decent money, often leaving aging
Eason said. “The government pays a small parents behind. Moldova’s population is
M
OLDOVA IS NOT only state pension, around $40 per month, but around 4 million; however, around 25
Europe’s least known that is mostly used to pay for firewood. percent of the economically active popu-
nation but also its poorest. “Most people haven’t a clue where lation are believed to have left the coun-
Suffering levels of poverty Moldova is, sandwiched between the try in search of better wages elsewhere.
on a scale usually seen only in parts of Ukraine and Romania in the far east- The Hitchen Church has started its
Africa and South America, residents in ern part of Europe,” she continued. “So own foundation, Gift of Love, to channel
the small village of Risipeni had fallen why should they have any idea of the donations to this community in desperate
through the fractured floorboards of the enormous poverty faced by people living need. Peter Lilley, member of Parliament
aid system until their plight was for Hitchin and Harpenden
taken up by a Church of God and chairman of the Conserva-
congregation in the small market tives’ Globalization and Global
town of Hitchin in Hertfordshire, Poverty Group, is a firm backer
United Kingdom.
UKRAINE
of the church’s initiative, say-
Members of Hitchin Chris- ing, “It’s shocking that such a
tian Centre (HCC) have forged scale of poverty and deprivation
a partnership with the villagers is so close to our door here in
of Risipeni (population of 1,000) Europe. The work of Hitchen
to try to provide the basics for Christian Center is undoubtedly
life taken for granted throughout a very beneficial step to making
the rest of modern Europe. The
MOLDOVA
progress in Moldova.”
church has even financed its HCC already runs a variety
first support worker to convert a of outreach initiatives across in
dilapidated hotel into a modern Hitchin, such as an award-win-
facility providing accommoda- ning breakfast bar for schoolchil-
tion and care for elderly people— dren, the Westmill Coffee Mill
support that they currently lack.
ROMANIA
club for teenagers, and student
Sharon Eason has left Hitchin counseling, but aid for the peo-
to travel the 1,300 miles to ple of Risipeni is its most ambi-
Moldova to oversee conver- tious project by far. Pastor Tony
sion of the disused hotel, which Summerfield explained, “We saw
is rapidly being turned into a an opportunity to reach out to a
haven for people expected to small, impoverished community
survive winters with tempera- in Moldova and grabbed it.”
tures plummeting 15 degrees There has been a substantial
below zero. The building has no link between Hitchin and Moldo-
heat, undependable lighting, and toi- there, especially the elderly who are left to va for some years. Sharon Eason’s daugh-
lets made from rough outside trenches. fend for themselves?” ter, Samantha, a member of HCC, met
Rebuilding work on the facility, fueled by Barren of natural resources that Leo, now her husband, during a gap year
donations organized by HCC, is nearing benefit other countries in the region, teaching in Risipeni ten years ago. She saw
completion. But more money—around Moldova is mainly reliant on agriculture firsthand the poverty, pain and human suf-
$16,000—is needed before the shelter can for its economy. While economic aid is fering, so near yet so far in terms of wealth
be completed. provided to a limited extent by the UK from the rest of Europe.
The new centre in Risipeni will also government and World Bank, the major-
be used as a day-care facility for the com- ity of it is directed towards the cities and To learn more about the Risipeni project, con-
munity, hosting clubs, recreational activi- major towns. Countless rural village com- tact Ian Milligan by email: info@hcc.org.
ties, and providing support for young munities, such as Risipeni, do not receive uk, or visit the Hitchen Church’s Web site,
people and families struggling on a small economic stimulus, so people must get www.hcc.org.uk.
weekly wage with only pickled vegetables by on a very limited income. Most adults
and salted meats for food during the win- move away from the rural areas, either to Linda Summerfield is the wife of the
ter months. bigger towns or cities or even overseas, to pastor at Hitchen Christian Center.
EVANGEL • JAN 2010 17
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