Child protection social workers trained with EU support

In the framework of the HOPE Project `Holistic approach to child protection in Moldova`, implemented by CCF Moldova and funded by the European Union, the Austrian Development Agency and Caritas Austria, social workers in child protection from the municipality of Chișinău were trained in the field of `Preventing and combating violence against children`.

Mariana Iosob, shared her experience as social worker in Chișinău municipality.

Looking back, how would you define the last 3 years and, especially, 2022?

It was a period with a very high psychological pressure, the energy crisis, the flow of refugees due to the war, rising cost of living – all led to the fact that people could not cope the increased number of beneficiaries in all services, both at the local and national level. We had new beneficiaries – the refugees – and they need help, and more and more local families are facing problems.

How did you manage the challenges?

Experience helped me the most. We have acquired a kind of immunity, in face of bureaucracy and the fact that we are asked for things in the short term no longer scare us. We strive to help people.

We are supported through supervision by the child protection department and CCF Moldova.

Tell about a successful case that makes you proud of your work.

At the end of last year, we reintegrated a 4-year-old little girl into her aunt’s family. We are still monitoring the case. It was not easy, but today I see the child at home more positive, happier.

At first the little girl was withdrawn, she didn’t talk to anyone, she didn’t interact with us even when we visited her at home. She has now become a child like any other. Teachers told us at kindergarten that she didn’t know how to hold a spoon or speak. Now the child greets us, hugs us.
For more information about CCF Moldova, please access https://ccfmoldova.org/proiecte-derulare