Ionut (pronounced Yeow-noots, translated into English as John) grew up in the ghetto of Bucharest. The 1 room apartment his family lived in was condemned and no longer had electricity, water or sewage. Disease was everywhere. Crime was so rampant that someone had to stay home at all times or their furniture would be stolen. When we visited with groceries, gangs of children tried to steal from us.

Ionut's father Marian goes out each day hoping for construction work as a day laborer. His mom cleans a local church. Their income varies from $50 to $150 per month depending on how much work Marian can get. Their poverty has forced Ionut's older sister to take on the role of his mother while his parents try to make a living.

We are blessed to have found a small home to move the family into. It's toilet and running water are outside, but it is a clean and safe place for Ionut to grow up.