Nicolae Ceaușescu believed that the way to economic growth was population growth. In October 1966 he enacted the Decree 770 which banned abortion and contraception unless, in cases, the mother was over 40 years old or already had 4 children in care.

During the years between 1967 and 1969, birth rates rose dramatically and by 1977 you would be taxed if you did not have any children. Due to the rise of birth rates, many children were abandoned in orphanages. These orphanages were occupied by people with disabilities and mental illnesses as well as children. As these groups of people were extremely vulnerable, they were put through years of institutionalized neglect, physical and sexual abuse, and drug use to control behavior. The conditions in the orphanages were horrendous after 1982 due to the fact that the country needed to repay its foreign dept. Due to the economy being at its lowest, no heating or electricity was available in the orphanages and food was scarse meaning children would starve to death. It was reported that the worst conditions were mostly in institutions for disabled children. In one children's psychiatric hospital, they lacked medicines and washing facilities which meant the children lacked personal hygiene. Also, physical and sexual abuse was reported to be common in that area. They would also be tied to their beds and left naked for days as staff failed to dress them, they would also be left to sit in their own urine for days. They would be washed in dirty water, 3 children at a time. Staff were not trained or qualified and abused the children. Due to this, the older residents learnt that hitting young children was the norm. A lot if the children failed to develop intellectuall and therefore could not do simple tasks such as feed themselves and were not able to read. Physical needs were not met and therefore many children died of minor illnesses and injuries due to lack of hygiene, malnutrition, lack of medication and safety.

What is SOS Children’s village?

SOS Children’s village is an organisation that aims to change lives of children that have been abandoned due to the closure of these horrific orphanages. Myself and several others have decided we would like to volunteer at the orphanage at the end of the year, to help the workers and gain many experiences. We are glad and excited to have the opportunity to work with the amazing people that have devoted their lives to