October 14, 2003
The boy at Floreasca
Bucharest is teeming with beggars and most of them are kids. The "street kids" might well be one of the biggest social challenges for the Romanians and the government. So far, they haven't done really well. There are quite a few private initiatives which do great work but they keep running against walls in the form of stupid laws, regulations and requirements which were clearly devised by men in green silk rooms. There is a moratorium on international adoptions for Romanian children until the new law on adoption will be passed. This law is being worked on for years now and in the meantime, the state orphanages are bursting with kids and the situation there is a nightmare.
Anyhow.
Floreasca market is right around the corner from us. It's a big (indoor) green market and I buy fruit, vegetables and eggs there. It's relatively cheap and the produce is fresh and appetizing.
The little Gypsy beggar boy who hangs around Floreasca is about seven years old and he has stolen my heart. He asked me for some money as I was loading groceries into the car. Knowing that many street kids spend their money on glue, I have the strict rule not to hand out money. So I gave him a banana.
Did I make someone happy.
His face lit up like a Christmas tree and he nearly toppled over with the many thank-you's and have-a-long-life's. Then he made himself comfortable on the stairs in front of the market and devoured his banana in no time. As I pulled out of the parking space to drive home, he jumped up and down and waved and smiled. He was by far the most cheerful and polite little beggar boy that I've ever encountered. He's cute and looks smart, with alert deep brown eyes.
Oh, dear.
I want to take him home, give him a bath and fresh clothes, feed him until his stomach aches and watch him sleep in a warm and comfy bed. I want to rescue him out of this pit that Bucharest is for so many, many kids. I've learned here that one cannot rescue every one of them. I've learned that one is much more likely to be bound by stupid government rules than encouraged to do something about the street kids. In the end, there is very little one can do. But a little is better than nothing and a banana or a warm meat pastry now and then makes a big difference to that little boy's stomach.
For all who think they might be able to spare some cash and want to support the work of the Children Relief Network for the Bucharest street kids, click here and donate a dollar or two. I know these people and they do wonderful work. Every little bit helps.
Posted by claudia at October 14, 2003 11:32 AM