Social

Poverty blights Moldova's elderly: Canteen offers life saving meals

For many elderly residents of Moldova, winter chills aren't the only harsh reality. Battling poverty and isolation, their meagre pensions fall short of basic needs, particularly food.

symbolic image
Sursa: symbolic image

Stepping in to bridge this gap is the Diaconia Mission's "Mobile Social Canteen," offering a lifeline of warm meals for over 150 seniors daily.

Maria Astaschina, 75, knows this struggle firsthand. She raises her 12-year-old grandson after his father's tragedy, relying on the canteen for their sustenance. "Raising him since he was one," she confides, "our pension barely covers bills, leaving little for food. The canteen's warm lunches are a blessing."

Efrosinia Samoni, 70, echoes similar sentiments. "My pension doesn't even manage utilities," she says. "Without the canteen, hunger becomes a grim reality. I stretch what I have, but their meals are crucial."

Seniority often translates to long waits for the coveted meals. "An hour's wait might seem long," explains one man, "but our small pensions leave us with no other choice. We're eternally grateful for this support."

Another beneficiary adds, "Our pensions are simply inadequate. The canteen's diverse menu, from peas with sauce to cornmeal platters, fills our stomachs and warms our hearts."

Operating Monday to Friday in Râșcani and Botanica districts, the canteen has been a community mainstay since 2013. "Helping our elderly brings tremendous joy," says volunteer Gabriela Ștefîrță. "Knowing we provide a daily warm meal and a moment of connection for those in need is truly rewarding."

Translation by Iurie Tataru

Read more

Serious accident in the Botanica sector of Chisinau. A young woman, transported to the hospital
Social
Video

Serious accident in the Botanica sector of Chisinau. A young woman, transported to the hospital

A young woman was transported to the hospital following a serious road accident. According to the press officer of the Chisinau Police Department, Cristina Talpă, everything happened in the evening of November 15, around 9:30 p.m., on Arborilor str. in Botanica sector of Chisinau.

Over 200,000 saplings planted as part of the "Forest Generation" campaign
Social

Over 200,000 saplings planted as part of the "Forest Generation" campaign

The afforestation campaign started today in the village of Mălăiesti, Orhei district. More than 600 government employees, Moldsilva workers, and volunteers participated in planting trees. Throughout the day, over 200,000 saplings, including red oak, maple, ash, and acacia, were planted on over 40 hectares. This initiative is part of the national "Forest Generation" campaign, launched in 2023, which aims to rehabilitate degraded forest areas and create new forests by 2032. The goal is to increase the afforestation rate from the current 12% to 15%.

Russia stops natural gas supplies to Austria. Gazprom, unhappy that it was forced to pay fines of 230 million euros
International

Russia stops natural gas supplies to Austria. Gazprom, unhappy that it was forced to pay fines of 230 million euros

Russia stopped natural gas supplies to Austria this morning. Gazprom, the energy giant in Russia, is unhappy that it was forced to pay fines of 230 million euros for non-compliance with contractual provisions, writes Euronews. The announcement was made by the Austrian company, which manages the gas transportation network.