Poverty plagues many members of the Roma ethnic group in Romania, but there is hope for spiritual renewal and a better life.

Antonio Moldovan shares a worn two-room house with his parents, grandparents, and three siblings in Romania’s Transylvania region. The 11-year-old’s family has so little that, at times, the adults sacrifice a meal so the children can have clothing or other essentials.

Antonio’s family is Roma, an ethnic group that faces discrimination in Romania. His parents and grandparents can’t read. They work in neighbors’ fields during the growing season to earn income for the whole year. Their only hope for the children is that they learn to read, so they will have more options in life.

World Vision and the local mayor are working in Antonio’s community to help families living in extreme poverty. The organization built a learning center near the clustered Roma homes so that children can get extra help with homework after school. Between school and the center, Antonio has learned to read. He now reads to his parents and grandparents — and he especially likes to read the Bible.

Please pray for him.

 

Written by Chris Huber

Photo © 2014 Laura Reinhardt / World Vision