It is such a joy today to see this little girl with big, serene eyes growing up and thriving.
"She was such a tiny little thing—you could barely see her under her clothes. I was worried because she was so small. When I brought her home, she was covered in a rash and little bumps. Little by little, with baths and creams, we turned the corner," recalls Mariana, the foster mother who has been caring for her since she was six weeks old.
Cataleea’s first few weeks of life were incredibly difficult. That is how she came into state care and into the home of her foster mother, where her life changed. Abandonment and insecurity were replaced by the love, attention, and protection of a family.
"To me, children are everything. Children are something divine; they are a gift from God," says Mariana, cradling the six-month-old girl in her arms.
Every now and then, she pauses her story to speak to the little one, who responds with smiles and baby babble.
A foster parent changes lives
Mariana became a foster parent four years ago. She chose this path after many years of hoping to have children of her own; she and her husband had consulted numerous doctors in search of solutions.
"At one point, I said, 'Stop—that’s it, I can’t go on like this.' I told myself that if God hasn’t given me children of my own, I could at least raise children."
"Beyond providing food, bathing them, and buying them clothes, I believe the most important thing is love—unconditional love. It’s a dream come true," says Mariana, who has previously fostered two other little boys.
Like Cataleea, there are many other children whose lives could be transformed for the better by the care and love of a foster parent—including children with severe disabilities currently living in care centers. For these children, the chances of being placed in foster care are lower. Caring for them involves participating in therapies as well as habilitation and rehabilitation services, which sometimes require extraordinary effort.
UNICEF works with partners to ensure that more children who need protection—including those with severe disabilities—can grow up in a family environment provided through foster care. Beyond specialized therapies, children need love and stability to thrive—which a family environment offers best.
A foster parent can change the life of children who need protection.
Help Cataleea and other children experience the warmth of a family.
Activate a monthly donation now. Month after month, your contribution helps vulnerable children enjoy a better childhood.
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Why donate monthly?
Impact: You are helping children every day not just once.
Cost reduction: Your monthly gift enables us to plan effectively and reduce costs.
Rapid response: You help us act quickly and effectively when humanitarian emergencies arise.
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Why UNICEF?
90+ million lives impacted
UNICEF saves more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization.
In Romania and Worldwide
Being active in 190 countries and territories allows us to build up our local presence, and foster the relationships needed to drive results in communities.
Making every donation go further
With UNICEF, you know your donation is safe & secure. Your contribution is supporting the children that need it the most in Romania and worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
UNICEF is the United Nations Children’s Fund, working to protect and promote the rights of every child, everywhere. We work to help the most vulnerable with health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more.
Thanks to support from donors like you, we have been able to make a difference for children in need, to save, nurture, and protect the most vulnerable. We are active in over 190 countries and territories and have helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization.
You can choose to securely make a one-time or monthly donation online, by clicking the Donation button.
To contribute to a fundamental change in the lives of vulnerable children, the longer you choose to get involved, the more powerful your donation will be.
Vulnerable children’s lives can be improved with your constant support. By donating, you become an active part of the solution and of the change process.
The money raised is used where it is needed for vulnerable children. For example, to provide free access to specialized services for vulnerable children in Romania or offer a rapid and effective response to children affected by wars and natural disasters.
UNICEF asks for monthly contributions to help us provide sustainable long-term solutions to help children around the world.
Please note that the stories of children and price point descriptions mentioned (if any) are to illustrate activities and the impact your donation can make on the lives of vulnerable children from Romania and around the world. UNICEF, based on the needs on the ground, will allocate resources to areas that need funds the most.
A monthly gift is a recurring gift amount that you choose to send each month, and it is even more impactful because you're helping children every single day.
Your monthly gift will also enable us to plan effectively in our upcoming work, reduce costs and most importantly, reach even more children in need. The support and generosity of monthly donors contribute significantly to UNICEF efforts to help vulnerable children.
We will be sending you regular updates about UNICEF’s work for children in Romania and around the world.
Don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected] and we will be happy to assist you.
Donating online through the website is just as safe as any other online payment. UNICEF does not have access to your bank card details as that information is secured and protected by the payment processor. UNICEF has access only to the contact details you provide in the donation form: name, surname, e-mail and phone number.