Operation Winter Rescue:
Exploited and trapped abroad
“If it wasn’t for your help, I would’ve been in the cemetery on the other side of the road a long time ago.”
For Dumitru, 70, home is a disused, draughty garage in Moldova. He lives alone. His siblings are no longer alive, and his family have become complete strangers to him.
Once, Dumitru had a wife and children. He married in 1993, when Moldova was in the throes of economic decline following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Jobs were few and far between.
Even today, more than a quarter of Moldovans live outside of Moldova because of a lack of economic opportunities.
Without aid from MWB and Operation Winter Rescue,
small sticks scavanged are often the only avaialable items
families can find or afford to heat their homes.
Dumitru went to Russia in search of work, leaving his wife and three young children at home. Unfortunately – like many vulnerable Moldovans – he was exploited and forced into heavy labour in forests and a farm. He was subjected to threats and violence, and cheated out of the money he’d been promised. For many desperate years, he couldn’t contact his family and was afraid of going to the police.
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Freedom and loneliness
Two decades went by before someone in Russia helped him return to Moldova. His wife had remarried and his children had grown up. He also found out that his sister from the neighbouring town, Leova, had died. Dumitru had gained his freedom but he felt desperately lonely.
When Mission Without Borders discovered Dumitru’s situation, we began to support him through our Senior Care project. Staff member Valentina visits Dumitru regularly and gives him food and hygiene items as well as donated goods.
Winter is the hardest time of all for someone living in poverty in Moldova. Temperatures drop below freezing and firewood is expensive.
Dumitru said, “With my pension of 1,600 MDL (90 USD), I can only pay for the electricity here and get some food to eat. I rarely have any money to buy firewood, which is expensive.”
Dumitru feeds his dog scraps outside
Knowing God works through people
Dumitru, however, didn’t have to struggle through the harsh weather this year. Through Operation Winter Rescue, the Mission gave him briquettes to heat his home, as well as warm clothing, a blanket and a pillow.
As Dumitru lit the fire in the potbelly stove in the garage where he lives, he said, “These
briquettes saved me from freezing. When winter came, I didn’t know how I was going to
make it.”
“I feel happy when Valentina comes to visit me. I have a sense of inner peace because we pray together. I know that God works through people. I really don't know what I would do if I wasn't part of this project. Thank you, truly.”
Dumitru is thankful for the help MWB provides through
Operation Winter Rescue which helps provide food, clothing,
and heating supplies during the harshest months
In Leova, over 30% of people are elderly, and many of them are battling poverty and loneliness, trying to survive on a meagre pension, just like Dumitru. They look to winter with dread, knowing they lack the money to make their homes warm.
Join us in providing elderly people and families with much-needed support this winter – give a life-changing gift today.