Over 25 years ago, the Bethesda Foundation began as a modest shelter for boys, responding to the urgent needs of abandoned street children in Romania.
Estera and Benu first opened their home to these boys, offering warm meals and messages of love and hope. As their efforts grew, they acquired a building to shelter orphaned boys and even laid the groundwork for a new church. The boys’ home has since become apartments that house refugees — including families from Ukraine — and missionaries visiting to support the work of Bethesda House.
Bethesda now operates a girls’ home, a nurturing place for abandoned and orphaned young girls, complete with a resident adult ‘mother,’ a nurse and a cook. They also run a day center that opens before and after school, offering meals, tutoring, computer access, school supplies and basic hygiene services such as showers and laundry. Children can also receive basic medical care and new clothes, and learn about the hope found in Christ.
Bethesda also hosts an annual summer camp for children from the day center and church, and provides emergency relief for families in crisis. We’re very thankful to partner with the wonderful, dedicated people of the Bethesda Foundation.
This center serves as a safe haven from life’s challenges, ensuring children always have a supportive place to turn.
What your support provides
- Girls’ home with a resident mother
- Nurse & cook
- Before & after-school day center
- Meals & tutoring
- Computer access
- School supplies
- Showers & laundry
- Basic medical care
- Annual summer camp
- Housing for refugees & missionaries
The people on the ground
- EBEstera & BenuFounders of the Bethesda Foundation
100% of every gift goes directly to our programs in Romania. We have never had paid staff — it’s been that way since 1998.