It’s hard to believe that August is halfway over and schools are opening across the U.S.

Fr. Sean Cavanaugh recently returned from a solo visit to Pro Vita and brought us up to date on what’s happening there.  Frank & I also had a lengthy telephone conversation with Mihail Tanase.  This Newsletter reflects what we have learned.
Things are going very well throughout the Pro Vita community with some demographic changes happening.  With 25% of the Romanian labor force emigrating to Western Europe in search of better jobs, the number of elderly has risen at Pro Vita.  Pro Vita is now caring for almost 70 elderly residents as well as almost 300 mothers and children and 23 intellectually disabled adults.  A number of the mothers also have intellectual or mental health disabilities, both of which necessitate greater staff oversight to ensure that the children are well cared for.  The increased number of elderly residents also require additional staff to monitor their overall health and care.

Here is a rundown on what AFPVO’s contributions are needed for in priority order:

1. In Valea Screzii, the massive stove/ovens in the central kitchen must be replaced. The cost is about $4000.00 and the AFPVO Board has ok’ed the release of funds for its purchase.
2. The 19 year old house for adult women, in Valea Screzii needs to be renovated. The contractor estimates the work will cost about $11,000 and will begin on August 19. AFPVO is forwarding the necessary funding to Romania.
3. Additional housing for children in Valenii de Munte is planned to be built adjacent to the existing Social Center/ housing. New Romanian laws require small housing units for children and enhanced fire safety equipment. Mihail has proposed building a house for 6 children and adult supervisors with the ability to quarantine sick children for about $33,000.
4. The relocated house in Valea Screzii that the Dutch team worked on is still being finished (The rehab was much more complicated than originally envisioned) and will provide some of the needed space as down-sizing occurs in the existing childrens’ houses.
All of these NECESSARY projects will require significantly more money than AFPVO has on hand, especially after we disburse the $15,000 noted above for projects #1 & 2.
In addition, work continues on the ECONOMIC TRAMPOLINE/factory site in Valenii de Munte. The AdminHub/IT Center should be completed in September and occupied; then work can start on the demolition of the remaining wooden buildings on that site. That will allow Pro Vita to begin the building of the “business incubator” space to provide production space with apartments above. Because of your generousity, AFPVO has funds on hand to support the demolition and initial phases of construction.
The EU grant is in full swing and almost 40 enterprise opportunities have been identified with many in the early stages of actualization. The sewing enterprise is on hiatus at the moment while the search for an experienced seamstress/trainer is underway.

We are excited that Pro Vita is such a hive of activity and that there are defined plans for providing safe accommodations for its residents while pursuing opportunities to offer paths to economic independence for many residents. As in all communities, some residents will always require focused care to recover from physical and emotional abuse as well as enjoy their “Golden Years”.
We ask each of you to strongly consider making a donation to help Pro Vita turn its hopes and plans into reality for its many residents. The Board will provide up to $5000.00 in matching fundsfor all donations through the remainder of 2019.Don’t procrastinate — donate today!

The best way is to send a check to: AFPVO,10005 Donal Lane, Vienna, VA 22181. 100% of your donation goes to Pro Vita. PayPal donations are also forwarded less PayPal’s administration fee which varies but is usually a few percentage points.
Frank and I will visit Pro Vita in early October and will provide updates in the next Newsletter. There are some new pictures in the Gallery courtesy of Fr. Sean and Mihail.

Enjoy the remaining weeks of summer!

Donna, Frank and Fr. Sean