”We were ready to borrow money to feed the children, if we hadn’t received this assistance.”

Sireti village is located 12 km away from Chisinau, in Straseni Raion. According to the recent Census, 5833 inhabitants live in the village. About 100 families in the locality have three and more children.

Eugen and Viorica Raschitor from Sireti raise seven children. Five children are in school, and the youngest is only six-month-old.

'We have four boys and three girls. Only Roman is not at home today, the oldest, because he helps me in construction. Victoria is six-month-old, Denis – 3 years, Livia – 4 years, Eugenia – 7 years, Radu – 9 years, Iulian – 12 years, Roman – 14 years and Violina – 15 years”, told us the children's father.

With dimples in their cheeks and curious eyes, one by one, all the six children came to salute us. Everyone had an occupation or a story to tell.

'Everyone brings huge happiness to our lives. It is not easy to feed and dress nine souls, but we work hard so they can have bread on the table and can go to school.'

In summer, the family's budget accounts for about MDL 20-22 thousand. About half of it consists of social allowances and benefits, and the rest comes from Eugen's earnings in construction. It is more difficult in winter; sometimes they are forced to live on MDL 10 thousand of social benefits because very few people do renovations and hence, they do not seek Eugene's services.

'I wanted to stop doing constructions and renovations,' said emotionally Eugen, 'but this is my main income and I keep going back to construction.'

Viorica has music and cooking studies, she was a violin teacher previously but once she became a mother, she prioritized this role. The family has a greenhouse in the yard, birds, and animals. The household errands are 'everyone's'.

Family expenses are divided monthly for several main purposes: food that takes the biggest portion of the budget and musical studies. All children of school age are studying a musical instrument commuting Sireti - Chisinau several times a week. Girls play the violin, Iulian – the accordion, Roman – the cello, and Radu – the piano.

'We cannot really afford to buy clothes. We receive them from the people Eugen works for or the youngest wear the oldest siblings’ clothes. The shoes are a problem because they wear out fast. But we support, encourage them to develop their talents, to choose the musical instruments they like. In autumn, Violina will go to a musical lyceum in the capital city because she graduated the general school in the village. We know this is extra money, but we want to support her with the little we have', said Viorica gazing emotionally at her oldest daughter.

'It was very difficult last winter', mentioned Eugen. Although we had the wood, our food money was short. Victoria was born in the last day of the year. At some point, we were ready to apply for a loan to be able to feed the children.'

When they received the news that they would benefit from MDL 4900 (MDL 700/month for 7 months), Eugen thought that was a joke. He called the social worker in the village to confirm that the information was true. Indeed, their family was eligible for the social benefit. 'With that money we bought groceries a few times and hence, we could live in the few crisis months without borrowing money for food. You cannot even imagine how in time we received this assistance... We have no one to rely on; my spouse comes from a family with ten children; I was raised by a single mother, who passed away. Everything we earn comes from what we work with our hands.'

When asked about their dreams and plans, both spouses noted that the biggest 'project' is to finish the renovation of a house annex, so every child has his/her room both in summer and winter, when they have to make fire. Another concern is, of course, preparation for school. 'And another piano that will not break,' completed shyly Radu.

This is one of the 56000 vulnerable families, who received emergency financial assistance in the amount of MDL 4900 (MDL 700/month) during November 2022 - May 2023 within the UN Moldova Solidarity Program guided and supported by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova.

The project was implemented by five UN Agencies: the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN World Food Program (WFP), which also ensured project' s good functioning and coordination. The total value of the financial assistance provided to vulnerable families was USD 14 million.

Due to this support, the families could meet their essential needs in the cold period of the year.

Note to journalists:

Families selected to receive cash assistance had to meet at least one of the following criteria: one member/member(s) with disabilities, pregnant or breast-feeding women, single parent families or families with many children.