What Comes From The Heart, Goes to The Heart

Mother Sarafima’s ongoing fight to create a better place for Romanian children Mother Serafima, a well-respected nun in the monastery juggles various jobs throughout the day: being the head nun, running the family house and also a “mother” to 10 children who resides there. June, 2003 was a memorable day for Mother Serafima as she brought in 10 young babies who were deserted in a hospital. The children now are mostly 9 or 10 years old- 9 girls and a 4-year-old boy. Since they were brought here at such a tender age, the kids grew up together as if they were related by blood, exuding a profound family bond many families aim to have. Running the family house Mother Serafima expressed that it was rather difficult to keep the orphanage running. Their income mainly depends on big donations from the Romanian Orthodox churches she is connected with around the world. Explaining that the Romanian state only gives her family house 300 Euros a month, it was not enough to feed 10 mouths, along with wages for her workers, electricity bill, education for the children and other basic logistics. The amount provided by the government is meager as Mother Serafima aims to provide her children with everything and more. Monthly, Mother Serafima spends 6000 Euros to pay for everything. Also, she had to loan 8000 Euros from the bank to repair the hole in the roof of the family house. Worried about the children’s safety and comfort, she decided to fix the roof right away although they didn’t have the means to do it. She is now a little worried about the due date of the loan that is due on the 15th of July. For these reasons, depending on the government’s money is impossible; hence she tries her best to raise donations anywhere she can. A whole ago, she bravely left Romania for the first time to go to America. Her sole purpose was to interact with the Romanian Orthodox Churches for donations, as well as expanding her religious networks in a foreign country. Education as a priority for the children Education for the children is the top priority on Mother Serafima’s list. Going above and beyond to build this important foundation, she looked for volunteers to teach the children even before they go in to kindergarten. Therefore, they were beyond their peers when they went to school because of the constant education they got at home. A well-respected teacher for 40 years volunteered in the family house and lived in the monastery there for a year. Blessed with this privilege, the children went into kindergarten knowing how to read and speak very well. Cultivating family bond Mother Serafima stressed that all her children have the liberty to choose whether they wanted to be a nun one day or lead a normal life, having careers in any field they want. Hence why she is working so hard to provide them education so that they can achieve their goals one day. As for staying in the monastery, they can stay for as long as they want, even until they get married. A new house is being built as of now for the children to have their own rooms when they get older and privacy is an issue. However, Mother Serafima illustrated that, should the biological parents of the children demand for their child back and the child concurs, she has to let them go. Also, the Romanian legislation states that adoption is not allowed because legally, their real parents have not lost the parental rights to their birth children. Mother Serafima talks about her children as if they were her own. Eagerly showcasing her albums of pictures she took as the children grew up was heart-warming. She had meticulously put together pictures and labeled them as years transcends. When asked why the effort to compile such a collage, she says that these is to create an identity for each and every one of her children. It is a reminder for them to remember their roots and encourage family unity, as well as the long way they have come that brought them together in this beautiful place. She only has 10 children now, but she plans to take in more when she is more established. “Saint Justina Charity Association” and their future goals Having said that, Mother Serafima has ambitious future philanthropy goals. Her charitable heart does not aim to stop at running a family house for abandoned children but going beyond that. Although already living on the edge trying to keep her orphanage afloat, she has dreams to help the underprivileged Romanian children. “Saint Justina Charity Association”, aspires to not only provide love and shelter for orphan, as well as abandoned little girls in hospitals, but also- provide optimum conditions for growing up and education, take interest in the gradual integration of these children’s social life and prolonging support in every aspect until the child is independent. Mother Serafima believes in helping a child comprehensively, in every aspect of their life because they deserve the full meaning to life. Further establishing her nonprofit-organization includes her dreams of supporting poor families with their children’s education for at least 10-15 years. So, this will be a long-term assistance towards a child’s education, providing them a solid plane to jet set their career then they get older. Sister Serafima’s plight to support not only her “children” but also extending her care towards all the underprivileged Romanian children is truly inspiring. The monastery and family house is in pristine condition, concealing their dilemma for more income. On that note, donations of all kinds are deeply appreciated to continue Mother Serafima’s selfless initiatives to help the underprivileged children of Romania. Random acts of kindness shown by all of you will catalyst the process of Mother Serafima’s conquest to create change and offer a better place for the children of Romania. Text: Li Min Teng Photos: Ana A. Negru