The problems of young people who leave the protection system are the same everywhere, said the director of “Amici dei Bambini” Moldova Stela Vasluian. In a news conference at IPN, she stated that when they come of age and need to switch over from childhood to adulthood, these young people need support. In the absence of support on the part of specialists, this stage in life can become critical.
“The effects of the separation from the family are the same in any country, either we speak about a young man who left the protection system in the Republic of Moldova or about a young man in an EU member state. These will be as vulnerable and unprepared for adulthood. They will also be a potential victim of trafficking in human beings or abuse of drugs or alcohol if they do not receive appropriate support on the part of specialists,” stated Stela Vasluian.
Director of the Public Association “Demos” Liliana Samcov told the same news conference that eight years ago the association launched a pilot-project to socially and professionally integrate young people who leave care. As of this November, the project also covers the young people from Transnistria. Those who seek help are counseled by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a psychologist, social worker and jurist.
“Many of the young people in difficulty do not have at least ordinary identification papers. Usually, the interventions last for six months or even up to a year when the nationality needs to be regained. The most successful cases are when the beneficiary is fully satisfied with the provided service, where this feels an equal partner. After 18, when they leave the protection system, they must know that nobody owes them anything,” stated Liliana Samcov.
Head of the Transnistrian NGO “Serdte” Galina Burlaca said the young people are helped to find a job and to make the necessary papers.
During the next two years, more activities of the kind will be carried out within the project “Joint initiatives of civil society organizations on both banks of the Nistru to socially and professionally integrate disfavored young people from the Republic of Moldova” that is financed by the EU and Caritas Vienna.
