As Easter approaches, Mission Without Borders is looking for new sponsors to help 40 families urgently waiting for help. By joining the sponsorship program or giving a one-off gift, you can help change the lives of these families and give them the resources they need to survive and thrive. Your financial support, no matter how small, can make an incredible difference.

Claudia’s story

“There are nights when we all go to bed with empty stomachs.”

Claudia, 21, tried to soothe her fussing baby with a lollipop and watered-down tea. Behind him on the table was his milk bottle – empty.

As we sit with the family in the room where all four live together, the stark contrast to their neighbours’ homes is illuminating. You can see newly plastered walls with the faint smell of lilac paint lingering like fresh air.

When they first moved into the room in a social housing block in Victoria, Romania, the condition was deplorable. The ceiling and walls were covered in mould, the window was rotten and broken, and the air was unbreathable.

The communal bathroom they share with their neighbours

Claudia’s husband, Alexandru, 21, worked hard at renovating it. Every day after work – up until midnight – he removed plaster from the walls, re-plastered and painted them, replaced the windows and doors, and fixed everything he could.

Alexandru, shared,

“We tried for five years to secure social housing. But our application kept getting ignored. We only received this room to rent because our son was born with a disability.”

“Our daughter Sara didn’t learn to walk until she was 19 months old because our home was so small that there wasn’t enough space for her to move around.”

Battling poverty while raising their two children – one with a debilitating congenital hand deformity – made life difficult and overwhelming.

When it all became too much, Claudia found a slither of hope when she heard about Mission Without Borders; desperate for help, they knocked on our door and could step in. Through generous supporters who committed to journeying with Claudia and Alexandru, they started a new journey that gave them hope that their lives could change.

Claudia and Alexandru in their rented room with their two children

Their Coordinator shared, “I saw Alexandru’s strong determination to improve his family’s living conditions. I saw him working hard and investing all he had in renovating their room. After all his hard work, they couldn’t afford to buy any furniture. But because of our sponsors and supporters, we can do more than see the need – we can do something about it.”

Claudia said happily, “We received this large bed where we all have space to sleep comfortably. We also received a wardrobe and a nightstand – they all fit perfectly in the room. Before we didn’t have running water or electricity, so I washed our laundry by hand. I still hand-wash the laundry. But it’s different now. We have running water and electricity, and it’s warm inside.”

Their journey to freedom from poverty has only begun, but they are no longer alone in their struggles. Through Mission Without Borders’ Sponsorship program, families like Claudia’s are empowered to break free from the cycle of poverty. Families can change their lives and their children’s future today through these gifts of financial support, food, clothing, and the love of God.

Let us bring hope together this Easter. The world may be facing some tough challenges, but as Christians, we have a unique opportunity to make a difference and show the love of Jesus to those in need.

Will you be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world, one small act of kindness at a time?

Find out more