Stories From The Heart

The research and statistics tell a part of the story, but to truly understand that child abuse is preventable, you must hear it in the words of those who have been served and those who have had the opportunity to work directly with children and families. These stories are so numerous that they are updated regularly.

Gabbye's Journey

Lacrimioara 

This story starts on October 10, 1982, the day Lacrimioara was born. The name chosen by her mother foreshadowed the life that would follow. Meaning "little tear," it is also a beautiful white flower with a strong perfume. Born outside of marriage in very traditional Romania, Lacrimioara (known as "Gabbye") was destined for a life of exclusion. First stigmatized as "illegitimate" Â by the community, her abandonment at age 2 1/2 stigmatized her again. 

From then on, Gabbye was moved from institution to institution, always praying for the family that never materialized. Her mother's death in a fire dashed her only hope of reintegration. Institutional life is hard for a child, particularly a pretty one. Gabbye fought constantly to escape abuse by older children and staff, and grew into a wild teenager. Resentful of the daily violation of children's rights by the caregivers, Gabbye responded loudly and defensively. 

Despite its legal obligation, the "care" system ignored her pleas for help to continue her education, and forced her out in 2001. Lift's Romanian partner Children on the Edge (COTE) began to help Gabbye that year, providing critical support that sustained her. An unforgettable moment occurred when staff located her younger sister, abandoned in an orphanage in another village. At their first meeting Gabbye and her sister could hardly find words to express their joy at finding family, but the tears and hugs said it all. 

With funding from Lift the Children, COTE supported Gabbye with friendship, accommodation and food so she could focus on her studies. By the fall of 2003 she was a High School graduate preparing to enter the School of Social Work at the University of Iasi. Gabbye's strength and resilience never faltered. This summer, after six years of continuous support from Lift the Children and Children on the Edge, Gabbye completed her university work in sociology and found work in Germany. She expressed her appreciation in a recent email. "I don't write much, I just say especially to Children on the Edge many thanks for helping. You mean a lot to me. Thank you for a good life that I wouldn't have now without your help, thank you.  I will do my best to continue what you worked on with me many years. I finished University with good results and now I have a good job in Germany, a nutritionist job. One day I will do what you did for me. Thanks again for everything. With love to Children on the Edge, Gabbye."