Iuliana's story

A single mother of three receives help from Blythswood’s Basis programme which assists low-income households in the vicinity of Cluj.

When her husband abandoned the family, Iuliana found herself struggling to provide for her three school-aged children. Being left without support was bad enough, but Iuliana, who suffers from the lingering effects of Lyme disease, faced the additional challenge of her own poor health.

The family’s needs were brought to the attention of Basis by a former employee of Blythswood Romania who now volunteers for the programme “From Basis, the family receives monthly food packages”, says programme coordinator Agnes Csiszer. “These are a vital support for Iuliana who is managing both her family’s daily needs and her own illness”. Iuliana has a low-paid job and does her best to care for her family. But even with school support and a heating allowance provided by the local authority, their household income comes to less than £700 per month. To supplement their food and finances, Iuliana keeps chickens and rabbits.

“Despite their difficulties the family remains active in their church community”, Agnes says. “Iuliana has just started a group for divorced women. She stays cheerful and says that the Lord helped her to recover from the break up of her own marriage and that in many situations He has guided her.

“The support from Blythswood has been a real encouragement to them, both materially and spiritually”

Carlota’s story

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 their single-roomed flat 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 Carlota 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.”

Bernadette’s story

When she graduated in accountancy, Bernadette looked forward to being able to earn a salary and enjoy a good standard of living.

But life hasn’t worked out like that. Multiple sclerosis is taking its toll, causing her balance and mobility problems and preventing her from working. And since her diagnosis was confirmed, her husband who repairs car bodywork, has worsened their situation by heavy drinking.

It takes Bernadette all her energy to cope with cooking and housework, and to help their 11-year-old daughter with her homework.

A social worker has been sure that this family receive the maximum benefits to which they are entitled, which brings their income to the equivalent of £350 per month. “It’s not a lot”, says Agnes Csiszer who runs Blythswood’s Basis project, helping low-income families in and around Cluj, Romania. “Blythswood has been helping them with food since April of last year, as much of their income goes on medical expenses and on school equipment and clothes for their daughter.

“We have also given them an interest-free loan for a wood stove and boiler to heat their two-roomed home. Bernadette is a smart woman and tries to do as much as she can but I know that a monthly food package is a big help to them”.

Levente’s story

Levente was still a baby when his mother walked out. Then his father moved to another place with a new girlfriend and he was left with his grandparents.

Child protection services would have placed Levente in an orphanage but Sari and Janos resolved to bring up their grandson at home.

And that’s not easy on a household income which equates to just £350 per month. Sari is 66, suffers from asthma and is not fit to work. Janos, too, is past retirement age but still takes work on building sites when he can get it.

Agnes Csiszer who runs Blythswood’s Basis project is determined to give the elderly couple all the support they need to keep their grandson in a family setting. “The monthly food package from Blythswood is a big help to them”, she says. “Most of their income goes on household and medical expenses and on the equipment and clothes which Levente needs for school.

Unless something changes, they will continue to need Blythswood’s support”.