Marina grew up in a ghetto of Bucharest. The 1 room apartment her family lived in was condemned and no longer had electricity, water or sewage. Disease was everywhere (her hair is cut short in the picture above because of lice). 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 would tried to steal from us.

Marina's father Marian goes out each day hoping for construction work as a day laborer. Her 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 Marina to take on the roll of mother for her 3 younger siblings.

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 Marina to grow up.

Marina likes playing outdoors. She is very grown up for her age. When we brought the children clothes, she figured out which clothes would fit her siblings and dressed them up.