D a ifference g n i k a M “You give a lot, but you gain so much more�
info@outreachmoldova.org
www.outreachmoldova.org Charity Number: 20045838
Who we are Outreach Moldova (ORM) is an Irish charity that was set up in
2000 after witnessing first hand the horrendous living conditions of children with special needs & children with severe illness resident in orphanages throughout Moldova, Eastern Europe. In accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child; ORM believes that every child has the right to: • • • • • •
Life and nurtured development Appropriate care Protection Education and play Freedom of expression Rehabilitation and medical care
Vision ORM’s vision is that each person who is physically, mentally or socially disadvantaged deserves to be given special treatment, education and appropriate care required by their particular condition regardless of circumstance.
Goals The goal of ORM is to provide immediate and ongoing assistance where needed. We provide the necessary training and supervision required to assist in and develop long-term, self-sustaining programs that will have a positive and lasting impact in the lives of these children and their care givers. We also strive to provide for the communities working with these children.
How do we achieve our goal? We work the belief that each human life matters. In partnership with the Moldovan people we hope to change the way people think about and define both “disability� and illness. We hope to promote the belief in society that disability is a natural part of human diversity in which people living with special needs can take pride.
Core Values
Collaboration and cooperation with those who share common goals Organisation and openness to provide for those in need Respect for human dignity Enhance quality of life through appropriate care Value the input of those who want to help and hear all voices Assist wherever possible and advocate human rights Learn from those around us Understand that no one person can make a change, it takes an
entire community
Enable those whom circumstance has managed to disable Strive for sustainability
History In 2000 the children we met in the different institutions were very unwell. They had: • • • •
no access to specialised medical care limited access to medications no functional bathrooms, showers or toilets no heating or hot water with temperatures of -20o C in winter and +40o C in summer
The children were severely malnourished and the buildings were in a state of decay needing urgent refurbishment. What started as a medical aid programme soon grew to ensure that each child would receive a happy, healthy and safe upbringing and appropriate care for all their needs.
What we do
Outreach Moldova (ORM) works with over 1000 children and young adults that have been abandoned/orphaned, children with special needs, children with terminal illness and vulnerable families. Today we employ over 250 full time staff to provide the 365 day, 24 hour care that was lacking in these children’s lives. We provide integrated, multidisciplinary programmes and support services which include (but are not limited to): • • • • • • • • • •
Medical care Hospitalisation Construction Education Social integration Staff training Humanitarian aid Volunteering Child Sponsorship Corporate Social Responsibility
Medical Programme
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The health and wellbeing of the children and young adults in our care has always been one of our primary goals. When ORM arrived in 2000, the little children were terribly unwell, malnourished and the complexity of their medical conditions was not being addressed. Today we are proud to say that we have a permanent medical staff that provides the appropriate specialist care 365 days of the year, 24 hours a day. The ORM medical team works with many medical and surgical specialists in the national hospitals, locally and in the capital, to provide quality care every step of the way. Our medical programme expanded over the years to include a surgical and rehabilitation programme; speech and language therapy programme; a physiotherapy programme; a dental programme and specialist nursing care programme. ORM also provides a supplementary nutrition programme to address the chronic malnutrition we found and a medication’s programme to provide appropriate pharmaceutical care.
Hospitalisation Programme ORM provides all hospitalisations, investigations, surgeries, post-operative care, intensive care and follow up therapies for the children we work with. Also included in this essential programme are all trained personnel who accompany and care for the children during their inpatient stay. ORM provides, in collaboration with our partner hospitals, all follow up investigations and outpatient care.
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Construction & Building Programme
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When ORM first arrived in 2000, the conditions we found the children living in were appalling. There was no heating system or running water. Sanitation and personal hygiene facilities were absent. Electricity was used only during specific hours, the children were living in dark, cold buildings with little furniture. ORM succeeded in turning things around and today the children have: • Full central heating and hot water systems; • A new kitchen, laundry and feeding rooms; • Fully refurbished residential buildings including bedrooms, bathrooms, windows, doors, furniture & necessary equipment; • A full rehabilitation centre, including gym, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and psychotherapy rooms; • Septic & aseptic procedure rooms, a new pharmacy and a dental surgery; • A new 400KVA generator and new electrical switch rooms; • New facilities including a playground, universal access ramps throughout the orphanage grounds and playing fields; • Full refurbishment of classrooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, windows, doors, furniture & equipment, heating, electrical & gas for the Baby Orphanage in Chisinau; • The first full time day care facility for children with special needs in Chisinau. Never again will the children be without heat, hot water or lighting.
Education Programme In the past children with special needs and terminal illness living in residential care were excluded from formal education. Today, one of ORM’s most successful programmes includes an integrated education programme. ORM opened the first school for children with special needs in Hincesti where they attend and partake in formal lessons with great pride. Reading, writing, arithmetic and language classes are provided by ORM. We also run arts & crafts classes, dance & music therapy programmes, sports & gymnastics, sewing classes and cookery school. ORM’s goal when we initiated the education programme was to promote activities that combine education, therapy and fun. It is an excellent tool for better physical and psychological wellbeing, while facilitating personal expression and communication among children with special needs.
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Social Integration Programme ORM believes that every child has the right to a family and a home but unfortunately for the children we work with this hasn’t always been the case. For a child to reach their full potential they need much more than medical treatment and education. They need a safe, secure, nurturing home environment that large residential institutions can not provide. It is one of our greatest desires to ensure alternative living arrangements can be found for each child. For this purpose we work closely with the regional social work departments and families to develop, implement and expand on social reintegration into the community.
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Staff Training Programme Another goal of ORM is to enable all our Moldovan partners to provide appropriate, significant and meaningful services for all the children in our care. ORM provides specialised training and support services to all our staff. This includes both our professional and nonprofessional staff in areas such as: • • • • •
First aid Feeding Manual handling Hygiene and dental care in special needs setting Child psychology and child protection
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We also run specialised training sessions for our medical staff in advanced life-support technics, ongoing medical and nursing specialisation keeping in line with the Ministry of Health’s requirements for ongoing medical training.
Humanitarian Aid Programme The provision of humanitarian aid has been an essential part of our ongoing programmes. In the early days ORM was able to provide for the immediate need of furniture, clothing and food as part of the Humanitarian Aid Programme from Ireland. Today ORM still takes part in the Hospital Humanitarian Aid Programme providing local hospitals with much needed medical and surgical supplies and diagnostic equipment while also being able to provide other furniture and non-medical supplies necessary. Our grateful thanks extends to all the people who gather, pack and transport all this essential aid for the local hospitals in Moldova, knowing their input saves lives.
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Volunteer Programme One of our most successful programmes to date has been the ORM Volunteer Programme where over 1500 gifted Irish people have given up their time and skills to provide the emotional support and care for these wonderful children. Every summer we run the ‘ORM Volunteer Programme’ inviting Irish volunteers to travel to Moldova to work alongside a dedicated team of trained specialists and participate in all the activities and events organised by ORM. Our programmes run in duration from 2 weeks to 6 months depending on both the programme and availability of the volunteer. We are an equal opportunity organisation and we welcome applications from all people and all backgrounds.
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Sponsor a Child Programme ( “Hold Her Hand” ) This programme is open to: • • • •
Individuals Groups Schools or individual classes within a school Organisations & Businesses
It is a sponsorship programme targeted to providing for the needs of an individual child. The nature of sponsorship funding means we can commit to making these long-term changes in their lives, not just quick fixes. We can plan for their future and give them stability, health, education and recognition. For as little as 40 cents a day, you can make a real and lasting difference to a vulnerable child just when they need it most. You will receive information on how your sponsored child is progressing biannually, updates will include the status of their medical, educational and social wellbeing. This will include photos. You are encouraged to keep in touch on email to let the child know that there is someone out there that cares.
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Due to popular demand we now have a new facility where you can send Holiday gifts or Educational items to the child you sponsor and you will receive an email updating you when it has arrived with a photo of the child receiving their gift.
Corporate Social Responsibility Programme Your organisation can make a real lasting difference in the lives of those most in need. You can now partner your work with ours and make a difference. ORM has a wealth of experience in establishing effective corporate partnerships. Our relationships are always mutually beneficial; we are able to develop initiatives that meet your company objectives as well as the needs of vulnerable children in Moldova. • • •
We provide corporate payroll giving We design programmes that meet your organisation’s social goals We can provide public awareness of your organisation’s social involvement
Our work is not a ‘quick fix’ for poverty; it takes root in the community where we work and delivers lasting improvements.
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Contact us at: Tel: +353 – 1 – 219 0268 e-mail: info@outreachmoldova.org
web: www.outreachmoldova.org Outreach Moldova (ORM) Suite 104, DMG House, Deansgrange Business Park, Deansgrange, Co. Dublin Ireland Charity Number: 20045838 Company Number: 336502
“We need to be the change we wish to see in the world”
Mahatma Gandhi