Bianca visits Vasile, who is recovering from a stroke

The villages of Salaj County, Romania, can look idyllic on a sunny day. But the reality of day-to-day life in rural areas is not easy, especially for elderly people without family support. When Vasile, now 87, suffered a stroke, he received hospital care for a short time and was then sent home. His wife, too, is elderly and in need of medical attention. Their home is in a village on the far side of a river and is difficult to reach from the main road.

The Elpis Foundation runs a programme which translates as ‘Together for a Better Life’, with support from Blythswood. It helps elderly people such as Vasile and his wife with home visits, cleaning, and collecting shopping and prescriptions. Making sure that they have sufficient firewood is an essential task in an environment where homes are typically heated by a ceramic stove.

“Our team will also cook them a meal, share the gospel, read the Bible to them, and help them cope with official paperwork such as utility bills,” says Elpis worker Sorina Pop. “Sometimes they need to make a call using Bianca’s phone, our social worker.”

‘Together for a Better Life’ is the only accredited social programme in an area covering 12 villages. At present, it helps 35 elderly people to continue living in their own homes. “Our team reports great job satisfaction,” Sorina says. “The quality of the service they provide is recognised as being very good.”