Carlota is committed to looking after her 34-year-old son, Andrei. Blind and unable to work, he qualifies for a modest disability allowance from the state. Carlota herself suffers from high blood pressure and has other medical problems.

Their income equates to about £500 per month. From that Carlota must pay the rent and utilities for the single-roomed flat which they rent in a village near the city of Cluj, Romania, and the medicines which are essential to control her condition. There is little left to buy food and meet day to day living costs.

At church Carlota met a young man called Iulian who was currently being supported by the Daniel Centre, Blythswood’s life-skills programme in Floresti. He became aware of her difficult circumstances and put her in touch with the Basis project, Blythswood’s programme to assist low-income families in and around Cluj.

“We have been helping Carla and Andrei since 2023,” says Agnes Csiszer who runs Basis. “We give them a monthly package of rice, oil, sugar and other basic food items and this is a big help to them. It means that Carlota can buy her prescription drugs without them going hungry.”