Volunteer gives new coat to elderly lady in Histria, Romania	Families in need in Castelu, Romania applying for assistance

Testimonial  from an organization in Romania, coordinating the distribution of the donated aid to underprivileged individuals and local institutional facilities:

“Almost every year our NGO is privileged to act as the Romanian distribution coordinators of a large humanitarian shipment of new clothing and shoes, organized by Open Opportunities. We have been collaborating on this effort for the past 9 years, and because of their selfless work, and the generosity of compassionate donors, thousands of very poor and needy families and children in institutions have been assisted in tangible ways.

Children from Potrinecia orphanage in Romania with a volunteer team	Residents of leprosy hospital receiving help in Tulcea Tecilesti, Romania

With these humanitarian aid shipments, we are able to not only fill the clothing needs of thousands of very poor families in Constanta and surrounding villages, but also perform free medical examinations through our partnership with a new private women's hospital in Constanta.  The doctors donate their time in order to offer free pap smear tests, as well as pediatric care for the children in these villages. Additionally, we find sponsors for the pap smear tests and laboratory work, as well as free medicines.  

20 University students are actively volunteering with our distribution programs, hailing from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, uniting with us around a shared humanitarian purpose: to help the less fortunate and impart love and camaraderie for the fellow man.

Children at orphanage receiving new winter coats	Orphan children showing off their new winter coats

In collaboration with Open Opportunities:

• 2,800 people in various villages throughout the Dobrogea region in Constanta, Romania have been provided with free clothing and shoes.
• Free pap smear tests have been offered in 4 villages for a total of 280 women, along with free medicine distribution according to the needs, as a result of the free humanitarian aid distribution given in conjunction with this program.
• 350 children have received free pediatric care and medicines, when attending one of our humanitarian aid distribution events.”

Teen boys getting fitted for clothing at a HIV centre	Elderly in Lumina, Romania, leave with new clothing

-Contributed by Renee Crossman - Asociatia United Hands Romania