Nicoleta, a 13-year-old girl from Danes, a village in Mures county, Romania, faced hardships as her parents struggled to make ends meet.

They scoured the nearby landfill daily for recyclables to sell, often taking Nicoleta and her siblings along. The family’s meager diet consisted mainly of scraps found in the dump, and their living conditions were challenging, causing Nicoleta to miss school frequently.

Danes, like many villages in this region, was home to Roma people living in isolated communities due to prejudice and the desire to preserve their unique traditions and culture. Consequently, they faced limited access to education and job opportunities, leading to entrenched poverty. Nicoleta's family was no exception, and life in Danes was tough with high unemployment and inadequate amenities.

Mission Without Borders’ (MWB) child sponsorship program came as a beacon of hope for Nicoleta and her family. When enrolled, she was shy and insecure, but her life took a transformative turn. Through MWB’s After School Club, she received nutritious meals and homework assistance. Her family benefited from regular food, hygiene parcels, clothing, medicine, and school supplies. Additionally, she started attending Christian meetings for children, and the family had access to essential facilities like showers and laundry.

In just a few years, Nicoleta blossomed into a confident, articulate, and happy young girl. She exhibited leadership qualities and a strong work ethic, inspired by her mother. Her aspirations grew, and she expressed a desire to finish high school and become a cook to feed hungry children in her village. Nicoleta was already cooking for her siblings and helping at the Soup Kitchen, keen on assisting children in need, just as she had received help.