Content
Many Roma children are trapped in neglect. They are poor, and there is a lot of abuse. At the age of 13, they have to marry, beg or herd sheep. People need money to survive. The children are gifted; they have surprising talents.
Supporting families and rescuing children is our mission. ELIJAH runs social centres in four villages, two music schools, a student dormitory, a home for mothers with children and a day centre for the homeless with emergency sleeping accommodation. ELIJAH has built and renovated over 160 houses for families.
Project locations
Nou:
This is where our largest social centre, Casa Martin, and the music school Casa Thomas are located. Twelve families have found a home in the Cartier Caroline residential area.
Hosman:
Our oldest location is home to the Casa Ilie social centre and the Casa Sonja music school. A hot lunch is served daily in the Stella Matutina canteen. Our bakery is also located there.
Marpod:
The Casa Sokeres social centre looks after the Roma children in the village. The Le Chaim house is the heart of the ELIJAH association: the community of employees, volunteers and protégés. Father Georg Sporschill and Ruth Zenkert also live here. The art workshop is in the courtyard. The workshop team carries out small repairs for the maintenance of the houses.
Nocrich:
The Casa Susanna social centre looks after children and their families from the Cartier Marghita neighbourhood. Houses have been built for thirteen families. Now the children can go to school.
Țichindeal:
The weaving mill is located in Tichindeal. Many houses for Roma families have been built in the ‘77’ neighbourhood so that they could move out of their dilapidated huts.
Sibiu:
In Sibiu, Casa Francisc, the student residence, offers accommodation and care to young people attending secondary school.
There are also two starter flats for young adults in Sibiu.
Bucharest:
Streetwork in Bucharest helps people on the streets. Casa Luisa is the day centre, and Casa Robert is the night shelter where homeless people can spend the night.