Supplying Confidence

"I always tell them they have to study hard because I don’t want them to end up like me...."

Like so many people growing up in poverty in Romania, Mihaela Ochisor, 35, never finished school. In rural areas, schools not only suffer from a lack of resources and teachers, but are too few and far between.

“I only went to school up to eighth grade,” Mihaela said. “Because I had to commute to the nearby town to get to school, my parents decided it would be better for me to stay at home and look after my younger siblings, even though I really wanted to continue my studies.”

Now Mihaela has three children of her own – and she and her husband Cezar, 44, work very hard in the hope their two sons and daughter will have a better life one day.

However, because Cezar earns low wages at his job at a pottery company, the Ochisors never have enough money.

The family’s house is located on a busy highway and Mihaela often worries for her children’s safety. Their home has no bathroom or hot water. The furniture is in poor condition, the windows aren’t sealed and there is no central heating.

Mihaela keeps herself busy at home caring for the children and the house, and tending to the large garden, where they grow corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes and more.



Alin, 12, is the middle child, with an older brother, Cezar, 17, and a lively little sister, six- year-old Stefania. All three of them need school supplies. Although education is free in Romania, each child is expected to bring their own notebooks, pencils and colouring pens, maths equipment and more. The cost can be overwhelming for families living in poverty – and often, such children feel inadequate before the school year even begins because they don’t have the supplies they need.

Alin doing his homework with his new school suppliesAlin doing his homework with his new school supplies

Fortunately for Alin and his family, Mission Without Borders’s Back to School campaign sees children living in poverty equipped with backpacks and school supplies in time for their first day back at school.


 

Alin with his mother and sister at home in RomaniaAlin with his mother and sister at home in Romania

“My children know they have to stay in school,” Mihaela said. “I want them to have everything us as parents never had. I want them to be the best they can be in everything they do and become great adults. And I want them to live in good homes.”

Cristina, the MWB staff member who supports the Ochisors, said, “I do enjoy visiting the Ochisor family. I’m proud of them, and I’m happy to see how much they value education. It’s something I don’t see everywhere.

“I’m impressed that they understand the importance of school attendance and how a good education is the only way to break out of poverty.”

Mihaela added, “We thank everyone who’s part of such a great project as the Back to School campaign. School is of great importance for our family and from what we can tell is very important to Mission Without Borders as well.”

Alin was delighted at receiving school supplies and is keeping the tags on his new items so they’ll continue to look new. He excitedly began to share his dreams for the future. “I want to become a professional truck driver,” he said.

Alin also talks about going to college and studying mechanical engineering. Another hope – because he likes football so much – is to become a famous goalkeeper. And whatever else he does, Alin dreams of having a nice house, with an inside bathroom, where he and his family can live. Alin said, “I know too well that to be able to have everything I dream of I need to stay in school and do well. Thank you so much for your help.

Mihaela has high hopes for Alin’s future. Not only is he bright and hardworking – but Mission Without Borders is there to support the family and to help all three children do well in life.

Alin's home in RomaniaAlin's home in Romania with some of the ducks they raise for inclome.

Join us in changing children’s lives across Eastern Europe – give a gift supporting MWB's educational programs and famiuly sponsorship today.


Alin helps with feeding the ducks at home

Alin helps with feeding the ducks at home

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