Casa Dorca Orphanage

Location: Prilipet, Romania

Timeline: On-going

Status: Currently operating

Topics: Orphaned children, Evangelism, Discipleship

The Need

In the wake of the Communist regime, Romania was left impoverished and in shambles. It will take many years to recover from the atrocities committed there. The poverty in Romania makes it difficult for parents to care for their children. At the same time, children who lose their parents have an even smaller hope for survival in society. Casa Dorca offers that hope to 27 young Romanians. In a time of hopelessness, Casa Dorca is offering hope to 27 orphans through the love of Christ by meeting their most basic needs.

The Description

Casa Dorca Orphanage cares for poor and orphaned children in Prilipet, Romania. Because of Casa Dorca, these children have the opportunity to experience a Christian family. They are given a Christian education and upbringing–but more importantly, they are exposed to the Gospel of Christ during their most formative years.

The History

Casa Dorca was built in 1927 by Christians from Prilipet and the surrounding rural area. In 1950, the Communists threw the children out of the orphanage and marched them down the street to the local authorities where they left them to fend for themselves against the cold and harsh Romanian elements. The children sang as they marched to the police station, “It’s so good to know we have a Father in heaven.” Later that year, the orphanage was turned into a bakery. After the Communists abandoned Romania, the property was restored to the Christians, who, with the help of ITMI, refurbished and repaired the building as well as purchased the adjacent property for expansion. The new expansion wing has become ready for occupancy, although it still needs some finishing touches.

Goals

1. Evangelize and provide Christian love and care.
2. To raise funds to maintain current facility and grow as more children come.
3. To meet the needs of children without parents.
4. Present the Gospel of Christ to the extended families of orphans.

Needs

1. Prayer and exposure to those who may desire to minister to Romanian children.
2. Monthly running expenses for food, clothing and education for the children now being housed.
3. Funds to rescue more orphans from the streets and care for them with the love of Christ.

Who’s Involved

1. ITMI to provide oversight and US exposure.
2. ITMI Romanian missionary Adi Ban is providing additional oversight and mentoring.
3. Funding for a small group of Prilipet churches who support and look after Casa Dorca Orphanage.

The Stories

The boy in the front of the picture to the right was brought to Casa Dorca by city officials. They’d found him and his sister eating from garbage cans, while his mother and her boyfriend were passed out drunk - unable to care for them any longer. Now they are healthy and happy at Casa Dorca. The oldest girl pictured to the left has moved out and is going to school, but returns to Casa Dorca on her breaks. She doesn’t do this because she needs a place to stay, but because that is where she grew up and the Christian workers are her only family. Casa Dorca provided her with a Christian family as well as meeting her physical needs.