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After the fall of Romania’s communist government, the world’s press got its first look at the horrendous conditions that Romanian orphans had been living in. Lack of basic care and attention left many of the children despondent, uncommunicative and emotionally crippled.

Today, things look quite different for thousands of orphans in Romania and other parts of Eastern Europe. Some of those still in orphanages and care homes have loving staff, desperate to give them a real, joyful childhood.

It can be difficult to do so, though, when operating on a small NGO budget, and many of these programmes rely on outside donations and sponsorship.

A number of children in Moldova and Romania have recently been enjoying the fruits of a match made through Global Hand, when a UK hotel chain had a large quantity of pillows and duvets to give away.

They registered their offer of bedding through Global Hand, and NGO Mission Without Borders put their hand up to receive it.

Soon, the pillows and duvets had found a new place to rest: in children’s care homes for orphans and children whose families can’t support them, in Moldova and Romania.

Claudia, a 13 year old girl in one Romanian home wrote to the corporate donors, saying, “I would like to thank you very much for the duvets and pillows. They are very useful for us because we do not have the possibility to buy them. Now, due to your kindness, we can sleep in better and more pleasant conditions.”

Your company or organisation can make a difference to lives in need, too! You can search exciting non-profit projects around the world who are looking for corporate partners or make an offer.

Quotes and photos courtesy Mission Without Borders