Ramona Dobrica and I first met at the Saftica Group Foster Home in 2001. She had come to

the foster home at the request of the Child Protection Services in the Ilfov County. Her home

situation was unstable and abusive. She was 12 when I met her.

The first thing I noticed was her quiet, polite demeanor and her willingness to help around the home and encourage the other kids. Most of the kids in the group home were from the Buftea orphanage and had grown up there. As such, many displayed loud and disruptive behaviors, something Ramona was unaccustomed to. Even so, she helped others with homework keeping her ever-present smile intact although at times chaos surrounded her. Ramona did well in school and was a constant joy to all those around her.

One of the most difficult periods in my life was the dissolution of the HOPE program in Romania in 2004. The Romanian government had implemented new legislation that would have made continuing the operation very costly, and at the time, all support for HOPE from the churches was drying up. Our main supporters, members and churches of the ICOC, became preoccupied with internal discussions and debate, and kids like Ramona, then 14, felt the effect. Although we thought we had counted the cost (Luke 14:28) prior to beginning the group home (and the NE adoption and foster care program) the unforeseen had come to pass, and HOPE worldwide NE closed its operations on September 15, 2004.

Our partners in Romania helped us place all of the children into private foster homes in the county. Some of these situations worked, many did not. The Saftica kids were also separated from the family we had promised would always be there: the family of disciples. This separation was acutely felt by the kids; another abandonment to be dealt with.

Ramona was placed in a foster family, but returned to her mother when she was 18 and tried her best to help support her mom and six brothers. She lived with an uncle for a while, then with a boyfriend. Mireal Marcu a former HOPE employee had kept in close contact with her during this time. When the relationship with the boyfriend fell through, Mirela asked Ramona to move in with her and has lived there since 2008.

As the prophet Isaiah said (29:8) “…as when a hungry man dreams that he is eating, but he awakens, and his hunger remains; as when a thirsty man dreams that he is drinking, but he awakens faint…” so too Ramona dreamed of something more for her life. A deep desire remained to make something of herself and to be a successful citizen.

Despite the odds, she set her heart on going to college in Brasov and the American Hospitality Academy, an International Hotel Management School. Unlike kids in the States, college is a far off dream to most Romanians, kept out of reach by financial resources. With no family support, this would be an uphill battle. But Ramona and Mirela put it in God’s hands and the hands of disciples in New England.

First came the testing for admissions which Ramona passed! But still the money question remained. Ramona applied for and was awarded a social scholarship (with Mirela’s help) that covered the entire tuition. This was awesome, but it did not cover the cost of living on campus, $135 a month. This amount seems fairly attainable to most of us. In 1995, this was the cost of kindergarten in New Hampshire! Nevertheless, it was insurmountable without outside help. I am pleased to report that caring disciples in New Hampshire, Hartford and the Boston Church ponied up the rest, raising $1,200 to cover the cost of housing for the year. As a result, Ramona Dobrica, a very special young woman with drive and determination, is now at AHA Romania.

To all who read this, and especially those who donated money, Ramona has this to say:

"Hello from a student girl! I am very happy to tell you that I have a very good Academy,great teachers and colleagues.The Academy is splendid and campus,too. I stay in room with two girls,they are nice and not soo grace (sic).

On Monday I start the real classes, this week it was a adaptation and orientativ week. It's different from a romanian academy, I cant explain in words how beautiful and great it is all there. I miss home very much but it is ok, I can do it. Now (today) I am in Bucharest , I came because I miss everything from here and everyone. I want to thank you for all your help and I know that I couldn’t be there without your help. I will learn and do soo well there. You will be proud of me.

Thank you very much!

Love,

Ramona."

If you hear of stories of courage and faith please e-mail them to nadine.templer@dtoday.net or meghna.thomas@dtoday.net