Two decades went by before someone in Russia helped him return to Moldova. His wife had remarried and his children had grown up. He also found out that his sister from the neighbouring town, Leova, had died. Dumitru had gained his freedom but he felt desperately lonely.

When Mission Without Borders discovered Dumitru’s situation, we began to support him through our Senior Care project. Staff member Valentina visits Dumitru regularly and gives him food and hygiene items as well as donated goods.

Winter is the hardest time of all for someone living in poverty in Moldova. Temperatures drop below freezing and firewood is expensive.

Dumitru said, “I rarely have any money to buy firewood, which is expensive.

Dumitru, however, didn’t have to struggle through the harsh weather this year. Through Operation Winter Rescue, the Mission gave him briquettes to heat his home, as well as warm clothing, a blanket and a pillow.

Dumitru, however, didn’t have to struggle through the harsh weather this year. Through Operation Winter Rescue, the Mission gave him briquettes to heat his home, as well as warm clothing, a blanket and a pillow.

As Dumitru lit the fire in the potbelly stove in the garage where he lives, he said, “These briquettes saved me from freezing. When winter came, I didn’t know how I was going to make it.”

In Leova, over 30% of people are elderly, and many of them are battling poverty and loneliness, trying to survive on a meagre pension, just like Dumitru. They look to winter with dread, knowing they lack the money to make their homes warm.

Join us in providing elderly people and families with much-needed support in winter – and make a donation today.

SUPPORT ACTION WINTER RESCUE