Who we are
Open Hands is a “not for profit” organisation working to empower children and families from the poorest communities in Romania to overcome the effects of discrimination, poverty and neglect and so reach their full potential.
Open Hands is a “not for profit” organisation working to empower children and families from the poorest communities in Romania to overcome the effects of discrimination, poverty and neglect and so reach their full potential.
Our team works inside Ukraine to bring relief to children and adults who experience extreme hardships through sickness, disability, poverty or by living in an orphanage.
Donate now
We are currently delivering food and other vital items to an orphanage with disabled children in Western Ukraine.
We bring aid to those displaced by war inside Western Ukraine. Food is needed most, alongside hygiene articles, nappies, medicine and toys.
Despite the great need, the greatest gift is not the material items we bring. It is our time. It is human contact. It is knowing that someone cares. There is, as Mother Teresa once said, a terrible hunger for love. We visit to ease the pain of loneliness. And we bring aid.
As war broke out, we were able to react quickly, being present when the first refugees fled across the border into safety. Our headquarters are only a short drive from the Romanian-Ukrainian border. So Open Hands set up a stand at the border, welcoming the distraught mothers and children crossing into Romaniaby offering items to meet their immediate needs, emotional support and much more. Our team also visited refugee shelters, helped to re-orientate families and brought aid and advice to those helplessly trying to navigate their way during a time of unimaginable loss and upheaval.
As the floods of refugees crossing into Romania reduced, our team began travelling into Western Ukraine to visit those displaced by war inside the country. We visit children and adults who experience extreme hardships through sickness, disability, poverty or loss. Despite the great need, the greatest gift is not the material items we bring. It is our time. It is human contact. It is knowing that someone cares. There is, as Mother Teresa once said, a terrible hunger for love. We visit to ease the pain of loneliness. And we bring aid.
Lately, we began collaborating with an orphanage in Ukraine. This orphanage is hosting extremely vulnerable children with disabilities who were brought to the West from the war-torn regions. There is not enough money to feed the 52 children and so Open Hands is bringing food as a first response to alleviate the suffering.
We want to continue to help these children. To do so we need your help. By donating you enable us to buy food and other items for children in great need.
Read more ...
Open Hands main office in Romania is in Suceava, a city situated in north-eastern Romania. However, our work is carried out in two locations: In villages around Suceava and in the small town of Gheorgheni, in eastern Transylvania.
Continue readingI love Open Hands because we get a lot of help and beautiful clothes. I have food and everything I need for school. I now have warm clothes in winter, and Olga (Rainbow House Manager) listens to us when we have problems. Open Hands has changed my life.
GABRIELLA*
*Names have been changed
A world free of poverty and injustice
A world where every child has the ability to reach their potential
A world where children are loved and valued
There are many ways to support us! Swipe through and you might find exactly what you would want to sponsor.
The Rainbow House is a safe haven for children who experienced neglect and trauma. By supporting the Rainbow House, you enable us to provide food, education and loving care for these children.
Donate now
Lighthouse helps children from disadvantaged backgrounds to have a break from poverty. By supporting Lighthouse, you invest in children’s education and give them the tools to break the poverty cycle.
Donate now
Family Support means that we visit children and families at home. By supporting this work, you enable us to improve dire living conditions and allow us to provide food, advocacy and advise to families in poverty.
Donate now
To help children escape poverty, we put a strong focus on education. By supporting our educational programs, you enable us to work alongside teachers in schools, provide educational materials and allow school trips for children in need.
Donate now
Our story is one of humble beginnings. It shows that things can grow out of very small first steps, if we are brave enough to take them.
Continue reading
Rainbow House
Lighthouse
Family Support
Education