Welcome to the Holding Out Hope Charity
The Holding Out Hope Charity became registered as a charity in 1999, however this small group has been involved in numerous projects, supporting children and adults in Romanian institutions since 1991.
The film shows institutionalisation and the lives of the children living in Mogilino. Three tears ago, Holding Out Hope brought Christmas to this ' home ' in the form of Christmas tree, lights, decorations, food and other treats. Had we not made our visit, then they would have had nothing. This Christmas we will be bringing Christmas cheer to Samuil institution for 110 adults with learning disabilities and we will also be helping a childrens home that has not had a budget for the past two months.
Pete Brady, the founder member and chairman of this charity first went out to Romania in 1991 with Bristol Mencap, having seen horrific films of some of the institutions and the deprivation suffered by the inmates.
The scandal of these institutions was revealed to the world following the fall of communism and the countries dictator Nicole Causcescu.
The Charity, which is Thornbury based has always consisted of a small core group of volunteers, however new volunteers are always welcome.
We have always been realistic about what we hope to achieve in this unusual and interesting country.
We realised very early on that staff working in some of these institutions would not take too kindly to ‘ know alls ’ from the west going over to show ‘ them ’ how they should provide care. As far as many of them were concerned they were doing no wrong, though it was evident to us that they needed to seriously change their attitude to childcare.
Power Point Presention on the work of
Holding Out Hope ( 2.6 MB)