“It’s not only the child who makes progress - the parents do, too.”

It’s Friday and the week is winding down, but on the second floor, right part of the Cimișlia District Hospital, the bustle feels like a fresh beginning - purposeful and full of emotion. The hospital accommodates the Early Childhood Intervention Center, opened this spring. Here, every step, glance, and word is a small victory for each family.

Laughter spills out the moment the door opens. Tiny, hurried footsteps patter up and down the corridor. A bright space, modern furniture, colorful play zones, and comfortable sofas where parents exchange hopes and experiences - all of it creates a small haven for Cimișlia’s community of parents and their children with special needs.

Each day, the Early Childhood Intervention Center welcomes 9–12 children under age five who have developmental delays or are at risk of them. A multidisciplinary team offers them, day by day, a chance in everyday life - and gives parents more than advice and encouragement; it gives them renewed strength.

The Center was renovated and equipped with the financial support from the Government of Germany via the German Development Bank KfW, and through a partnership between UNICEF and Lumos Moldova, so families of children with special needs can access modern, safe services close to home - for the best possible start in life.

“Every journey begins with an assessment and continues with an intervention plan, with therapies tailored to each child’s needs: occupational therapy, sessions in the sensory room, massage, physical therapy, and counseling for parents,” says the Center’s head, Victoria Iordachi.

“I know his development will be slower, but here I see real improvements” - Victoria, Elisei's mother

Victoria gave birth to twins and has three older children at home - ages 18, 15, and 10.

“The pregnancy took us by surprise. For me, it was a pleasant one,” she says, holding Elisei, one of the twins, now 1 year and 4 months old, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome.

“Elisei was in intensive care, on oxygen; later we discovered a heart defect, and he had surgery. He’s doing well now. I know that because of the syndrome his development will be slower, but here I can see real improvements,” Victoria adds.

On the recommendation of doctors in Chișinău, the family came to Cimișlia for assessment and therapy. Although they live in Basarabeasca, every kilometer is worth it for Victoria - here she felt welcomed, heard, and encouraged.

“We completed a massage course here and saw visible improvements. Step by step, we’re working on the sensory side as well. The staff know how to work with children. They know how to speak gently about the things that hurt parents most. For us, psychological support is so welcome - we felt it here,” she says, her voice softening.

Specialists are helping Elisei strengthen his sitting posture - a small step that brings many benefits: easier feeding, better digestion, and greater autonomy. Progress is visible, and it lifts the whole family.

“They gave me hope. Everything lies ahead.” - Alina, mother of a girl with autism and ADHD

Alina, 27, is from Cimișlia and came to the Center with her daughter on the advice of their family doctor. Diagnosed with autism and later with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Amelia, now 3, completed an initial therapy course - massage, occupational therapy, and sessions in the sensory room.

“After a few sessions she started adding new words to her vocabulary - jumping, dancing, singing. Here, parents are encouraged as well. Because it’s not only the child who progresses - we do as parents, too.”

For two years, Amelia has also been going to kindergarten, and her educators have noticed the progress.

“I’m very satisfied with this Center. They created a sense of hope and encouragement. Everything lies ahead. You must trust your own strength… Parents should be encouraged and not give up.”

For Alina, the Center reflects a more empathetic world where a child learns, socializes, and gains autonomy, while a parent regains calm. At home, parents become part of the early-intervention team - putting into practice what they learned at the Center, following specialists’ advice and recommendations so their children keep developing even after specialized therapy ends.

“My daughter is progressing; you can see she has a unique personality - she’s much more attentive. She’s a special child, and I feel like a special parent. I understand this is my child and I love her regardless of any diagnosis, and to understand her better, I stepped into her world. Amelia’s world is beautiful,” Alina adds.

“We work precisely to each child’s needs” - Victoria Iordachi, Head of the Center

Opened in April this year, the Center serves around 55 children a month. Specialists help children integrate - into kindergarten, into school, and simply into their circle of friends.

“Most of our little ones have speech delays or are on the autism spectrum. But we also see children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and muscle-tone disorders. The majority are from Cimișlia and the district, but we’re now able to support families from neighboring districts, too, such as Basarabeasca,” Victoria explains.

Parents can self-refer or be referred by their family doctor; kindergarten staff also inform parents when children need early developmental support.

Victoria notes that parents can observe development from the first months: whether a baby coos, how they hold their balance, what movements they prefer; whether they grasp and bring objects to the mouth; follow their mother’s voice or moving objects or respond to their name.

She encourages parents to vary the baby’s position in bed, offer toys and objects, and track the child’s gaze - do they follow with their eyes when a parent is speaking? Do they watch moving objects or people? Do they point? Do they respond to their name?

More than therapies: a community of support

The Center isn’t just a place with toys and supportive equipment. It’s a learning space for parents, too. Here they can receive counseling and the solidarity of other mothers and fathers with similar experiences. For some, it’s the first place they hear: “You’re doing well. We can see progress. Let’s keep going.”

“At the Center, parents can access a special education specialist (psychopedagogue) and a psychologist. Many already have, because some parents are depressed and in emotional pain,” says Victoria.

Partnerships that change lives

With the financial support from the Government of Germany via the German Development Bank KfW, UNICEF - in partnership with Lumos Moldova and the Ministry of Health - has opened two Early Childhood Intervention Centers in Cimișlia and Fălești. In these two districts, Child Development Offices have also been set up within rural Health Centers and Family Doctors’ Offices: in Cimișlia, Fălești, Javgur, Batîr, Satul Nou, Gura Galbenei, Scumpia, Albinețul Vechi, Pîrlița, and Răuțel.

The same transdisciplinary approach - assessment, intervention planning, integrated therapies, and support for parents - is available to all children, including refugee children. More families are receiving the right support at the right time.

Early intervention, in this way, takes the shape of a team that believes in every child - and of parents who rediscover, day by day, the strength to move forward. Because every child deserves the chance to develop - earlier, and closer to home.