Moldova

The housing situation reveals the blatant poverty: In many cases, people live far out in the countryside and thus far away from any civilization. There is neither electricity nor running water. Even firewood for heating is usually in short supply, while temperatures in winter can drop to -30°C. There are hardly any jobs, and in order to drive to the next market with garden produce, the way is too far and the road in too catastrophic a condition. In many places, the state has also closed all schools - to save money. Thus, the children do not even have the prospect of schooling.

Countless children are social orphans. They have a place to sleep, but are otherwise left to their own devices. The downward spiral begins early on, dragging the youngest into crime, drugs, prostitution and misery.