The Urban Center seeks to influence and shape a new generation of young and passionate leaders, who will be capable of taking responsibility
for making a real difference to the situation in Moldova.
Meeting face to face with victims of human trafficking, BOL realized that the nightmare these people have faced in their lives could happen again if someone will not give them a helping hand. That’s why, in March 2009, BOL established a center for victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation. The name ‘House of Change’ reflects the alternatives provided for women in need of healing:
The purpose of this center is primarily to protect young girls from violence, exploitation and trafficking networks, along with help in developing a consistent and holistic character.
The target groups are victims of domestic violence and sexual exploitation, as well as people who suffer from loneliness and depression. At the same time, BOL aims to identify and develop the skills of gifted children. Arts festivals, exhibitions and fairs bring additional incentives to improve people’s self-esteem and hope for the future.
Recognizing the desperate situations faced by vulnerable groups of Moldovan society, BOL opened a humanitarian aid center with the aim of providing assistance to the most vulnerable and needy.
We are glad to share with you the news that in February 2014 our team was joined by a new member – a professional psychiatrist and psychologist. In recent years we have had many cases where we needed to appeal to hospital mental health specialists to help girls in our rehabilitation program. Working with victims of human trafficking and violence, we have seen how their deep trauma has caused mental disorders. Also we noticed an alarming tendency towards a growing number of young people with deep psychological problems and mental disorders.
Christmas is considered a light and heartwarming holiday for good reason. The Bible says that Light came to the world. St. Irenaeus explains this so: “Christ came to the earth and became like us, that we to become like Him… a little better, and lighter and purer...”
So in December the Beginning of Life team, with the support of our partners and volunteer groups, brought again a little light to those who are deprived of the warmth of love, and feel thrown aside and forgotten.
Literally – no! It is impossible to become again a small embryo, to enter the womb of a mother again to be born. But the concepts of ‘rebirth’ or ‘revival’ are used quite widely, for example by Christians as an explanation of what happens to the person who has believed in God. This concept was used also in history, calling a whole era the ‘Renaissance’, that is – revival. From XIV to the XVI century, Europe endured the whole wave of ‘new, revived’ arts. The same words are used by religious organizations, political parties, social movements - those who want to cast something ‘old’ in a ‘new’ light.
In Moldova people often say, «Share with friends not only the good but also the bad news. But it is better when there is less bad news...» We are always happy to share with you our good and bad news. Despite the fact that we live in different countries and often are in different parts of the world, God made us partners of His great mission. Within this mission, each of us has our own role, special and precious in the sight of God. We are grateful that you are standing alongside us.
From the moment the Psychological Art Studio opened at BOL there hasn’t been a single day when people haven’t come. We believe that God can heal the hearts of people through Art and the process of creation. We would like to share with you just several of many amazing testimonies that people have shared with us once they have become regulars at PAS. Each of them came to us from different situations, and different times, and with various problems. What unites all of them is a desire to find a way out, to find peace and healing for their hearts…
Dina was born and raised in a very poor family. After her parents died 11 years ago, she went to live with her two brothers. However, all that she had seen in her parents’ house was humiliation and pressure. Due to the constant pressure from the brothers as well as very poor living conditions, the girl was forced to leave the family home. She had nowhere to go so she agreed to cohabit with a man from her village. This man was regularly subjecting her to violence and forcing her to consume alcohol. More than that, he started to force Dina to have sex with other men. All this time Dina kept silent.
During the last five years of House of Change’s existence, there have been several girls who decided to run away from our rehabilitation center. And we understand why they did that. Working for many y
A news headline at the end of 2013 reported how a man who exploited the children of one Moldavian family for more than 10 years was detained at last by the police. This story developed a direct link t
In 2013 I had to carry out training for 10th grade students from one of the lyceums of the capital. Around 30 students were learning to oppose the manipulation and new kinds of traps set by traffickin
Since 2008, BOL regularly conducts research on current social issues and problems within Moldovan society, seeking to fully understand them and find relevant answers. All the results of these studies are published in books, manuals and articles.
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