A letter from Mary Ferris in Romania
OCTOBER 2011
Meet Maria,cc2_(2)_page_1_small144.jpg)
an abandoned child in Tulcea, Romania.
Recently Carol Schempp, a NOROC board member, visited Tulcea, Romania, for the 15th time in 10 years. She is one of the persons who has walked along beside me my entire journey as a PC(USA) mission co-worker. After her latest trip she wrote a beautiful account of one of our very special grannies, Fanica, and the work that Fanica accomplished with a special needs child, Maria. NOROC, the foundation for which I serve, began with the Big Hearted Granny program in 1996 and this ministry is still the place where NOROC’s ministry begins with these precious children. The following is Carol’s account of her visit with Maria and Fanica.
When Maria came to Cocorii Center a year and half ago she was totally mute. Her mother was absent from her home most of the time, working at a small bar for very little money. Maria was left by herself all day long. One day Maria left her home and roamed the streets until evening. A police team found her and brought her to the center. She was unclean, hungry, and couldn't say a word. She was "wild" and without any social skills, but little by little, with our grannies' help, she started to speak words, to play with the other children in normal ways, and to socialize.
Our Granny Fanica Preda had a big role in her development. People were astonished to see Maria recite a four-stanza poem for the Children’s Day Festival on June 1!
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Petru Solca, President of NOROC, holding Maria
Granny Fanica is just one of the miracle workers employed by NOROC (in the form of Grannies) to work with the youngest children in the centers. Granny Fanica works daily at Cocorii One. A natural teacher, she instructs the children daily in language, math, and sports activities that exercise their bodies as well as their minds. This provides the children with experiences and practices that would normally be provided by a loving family.
During my visit this summer Petru (president of NOROC) took me to Cocorii where the children recited poetry, sang songs, and counted forwards and backwards for us...all from memory and with a tremendous amount of pride. Granny Fanica also organizes a “backyard” physical education routine each day to teach spatial orientation and positional concepts. The routine is engaging and requires the children to focus their attention and follow instructions. “Super” Granny Fanica has created a well-balanced early childhood curriculum!
All of this would not be possible without the continued support of the PC(USA). No matter what the circumstances of the world today these children still need the wonderful Big Hearted Grannies to nurture, love, and teach them. We thank you for your prayer support and hope that each of you will continue to pray for these children and their grannies.
The joy of the Lord is my strength,
Rev. Mary K. Ferris
The 2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 211
The 2012 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, Romania, p. 281
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