Shoe Shop

While the Durrance’s, Jackson’s, and Culamore’s were here for the worldmade wheelchair assessment we were given a tour of the Society of the Disabled shoe factory to see how the disabled in this country are trying to help themselves. It was very fascinating to see how they made shoes from equipment that was 60 years old. Some of the sewing machines they are using where made in 1948. It was amazing to see how these people use what they have and the good quality of shoe they are able to produce. They employ 15 disabled people, and provide shoes for about 300 people a month. We decided this was a very worthy cause and are hoping to get 4 or 5 new sewing machines for this factory. They will be able to produce more shoes and also lower their prices because they can produce them faster. The quality should also improve. The ladies that are doing the sewing now are doing an amazing job. When they need a double stitch they are doing it all with just a single stitch machine. They have to be so precise in their sewing, and sew everything twice. Their glue room also needs better ventilation, but that is a problem we can’t solve.

Milestii Mici Basement Renovation

Milestii Mici Community Center
We just finished putting on a new roof and windows on this old building destined to become a community center for local villagers and disabled children. The Moldovan Government gave this building to the community. The only problem was that it was falling apart due to a roof with many missing and old tiles. Several rooms (noted in the slide show) are to be work areas for handicapped children to learn some worthwhile skills. These skills may be the only thing that helps them survive in a country where handicapped individuals are largely ignored unfortunately. In the basement area, we may have a follow-on project to take on. These rooms were community showers and bath areas 30 years ago. They are now in total disrepair with old plumbing that is useless. We may be able to get a new boiler and then partner with the community to install new plumbing. This would allow the villagers to take showers once a week. The walls and floors would be redone by local villagers donating their time. Over and over, Rodna and I find so many people without basic necessities that we have taken for granted so long. (God forgive me when I whine, I have two legs, the world is mine,,, etc.)

School in Visoca

Visoca School Northern Moldova
In one of the most northern villages of Moldova is the Visoca School for Handicapped Children without Parents. Visoca is some 200 kilometers north of Chisinau, the capital of Moldova. This little village is truly in the middle of nowhere. You must travel on an unpaved road about 6 kms to find this little community of about 2000 people. The school is run by Visalii Bicu and an assistant. This school is home for 80 children who are in school by day and live in the adjoining dormitory. This school is the only school we know of that takes in handicapped children left on the street without parents to contact. This wonderful man has run and provided this facility since 1973. He and his assistant are angels. Mr. Bicu has been formally educated in Math and Physics, but has devoted his life to these children. This schoold teaches them to be self-sufficient. They plandt and harvest much of their vegetables used by the school. They learn wood working and shoe making and repair. This facility is from the Soviet (late 60's)era and is in poor condition. But, the staff here keeps it very neat and clean. Rodna and I are trying to get a project approved to provide an irrigation system to improve their garden production and to install about 50 Sq. Meters of pavestone for their play area. We hope to have this completed by the end of the summer, 2009. On a personal note, while Rodna was visiting with some of the children in their class room, she had an opportunity to speak with one of the children. She was then approached by this boy's twin brother who asked her not to separate him and his brother. He apparently thought Rodna might become interested in him and take him and not his brother. This was one of those unspeakable moments that touch your heart and you are never quite the same again.