When some of the disabled kids attending Phoenix Centre in Riscani, Moldova, were treated to a day in pool last summer, their delight told us loud and clear what was needed: a fully accessible warm water pool!

Not only would such a pool bring more joy to more children, the hydrotherapy would also go a long way to strengthen their muscles and, for some, relieve chronic pain.

Now we are close to making that dream a reality!

MAD-Aids fundraising efforts resulted in a grant from Soros Moldova financed by the EU. The cost of construction of the swimming pool, along with specialist wages and pool maintenance for 18 months, will be covered by a Euro 45,000 grant given to MAD-Aid's local implementing arm, Moldova Aid.

YOUR donation in this campaign will help pay to build the space and changing rooms, and to install water, electricity, and heating.

Since opening Phoenix Centre in 2015, yearly around 200 children, aged 3 months to 18 years, have benefited from early intervention and rehabilitation treatments. Specifically in 2018, 238 children received free treatments. Once we open the swimming pool in 2019, we aim to provide hydrotherapy treatments for over 400 children with disabilities.

See for yourself how these kids enjoyed their time in a swimming pool last summer. Water empowers them and gives them a sense of equality. Importantly, water relaxes their muscles and allows the physiotherapists to work their treatments better.

Furthermore, in Riscani town, there does not exist any heated swimming pool, so in partnership with schools and the sports association, swimming lessons will be offered to school children during weekends. Hundreds of students will benefit. The swimming pool will also provide two special aqua classes to pregnant women in the district of Riscani.