A letter from Mary Ferris in Romania
June 2011
Dear Friends,
It has been a while since I wrote for this website — I had lots of excuses, but now with a working computer, health issues resolved and my move back for itineration completed, I have time and tools to catch everyone up on what is happening in Tulcea, Romania, with all the children and youth.
There are the usual hassles with any system that deals with children and youth in institutions. The problems in Romanian institutions are similar to our problems in the United States with care for children and youth. The difference is that in Romania there is not the private sector infrastructure to take care of the slack. This is another story for another time. I wish to focus now on a new program that NOROC, the foundation for which I serve, has begun. We have ventured forth into an animal therapy program that has greatly enhanced our outreach to the abandoned and abused children of Tulcea County.
Dr. Stefan shows his love for the least of these.
About two years ago we heard that a private equestrian club was being formed in Tulcea. Always looking for ways to bring some joy into the lives of children, we investigated this new venture. This was the beginning of a wonderful relationship we have established with the owner of the club, Dr. Stefan Raileanu, a veterinarian whose specialty is in horses. He also has three trained therapy dogs for working with children. Dr. Stefan knows every horse in the entire county as he is responsible for all of their vaccinations. This means that he knows many of the families of the children from remote rural areas. Horses are the main means of transportation in many of the villages. Dr. Stefan has a remarkable memory and recalls the name and circumstances of each of these children. This shared history gives instant rapport with many of the children. He loves children and allows NOROC to bring groups of children for riding at incredible reduced prices.
“Little Lucky” (the horse on the right) makes his grand debut.
This spring we took our program a step further. NOROC actually invested in helping to acquire a special horse, NOROCEL, meaning *ldquo;lucky little one.” He is somewhat smaller, as he is a pinto, but quite beautiful. He has real personality, so the children really love him. We had a special day to introduce NOROCEL to the children and the entire orphanage was able to come. Along with the other horse available, all of the children were able to ride. Not only do all the children benefit from a day out in the country with the animals, but some of the older youth actually have the opportunity to take care of the horses. They come during the week to help groom them, etc. In addition, this summer a special project has been approved to take a small group of children to prepare them intensely for riding competitions.
The benefits of these extracurricular activities regarding the horses and other animals are immeasurable. Every Saturday a group of children has a scheduled time to ride. This rotates until all the children have an opportunity. The children cannot participate if they have not been going to school or behaving. Horseback riding helps the children’s self-esteem because they develop a relationship with the horse that is based on mutual love and respect.
Mutual unconditional love.
One young girl from the home for children with special needs approached one of the horses, pointed and made unintelligible sounds. Dr. Stefan said gently to her, “I am sorry, but this horse understands only Romanian.” I thought this was an insensitive thing to say until she responded in perfect Romanian: “I want to ride that horse.” I had never heard that child speak before.
Dr. Stefan says that, like children, horses need two things: plenty of good nutritious food and lots of love. If they have these two things, then they are prepared to follow you anywhere.
Jesus tells us to let the little children “come unto me.” It appears that there is no better way than to have them follow the God of Love.
Grace,
The Rev. Mary Ferris
The 2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 211
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