Nearly 250 Ukrainian refugees, hoping to return to their country soon, are being housed in a new building in Brasov’s Tractorul-Coresi residential center, that a real estate developer has offered for this humanitarian cause.
Most of them are mothers with children, who fled the war, all of them sharing incredible life stories and dreams to fulfill. „It all started on March 1, when the Kastel Association asked us if we could offer a family meal. On this occasion, I found out that it was not just a family, but 20 people who also needed accommodation. In this context, we thought that we could mobilize and offer some rooms for accommodation. They were all empty, with no furniture or other stuff. We thought that we could whip up something so that a few people could sleep there for one night”, the representative of the construction company, Daniela Kasper, has said.
From a handful of people housed for one night, now hundreds of refugees in need could be sheltered for as long as necessary. The citizens’ initiative of the people of Brasov is also commendable. They offered an example of mobilization and helped to arrange the space in this building which less than 10 days ago was still a project in development. Refugees themselves are lending a helping hand. „We are now at 235 people. They are staying here for a limited time. Many believe that in a week or two they may be able to return home, but we still made an effort to offer them a minimum of comfort. Two to three days after the first people arrived here, they also offered help and are highly involved. They already want to give something back. They engage in every activity, from arranging, carrying furniture, cleaning, serving meals, and so on”, said one of the volunteers, Mario Beckstein.
After the war in Ukraine ends and the refugees leave Brasov to return to their homes, the owner of the block will donate the furniture to other social causes, because he plans to include the building in the tourist circuit, with apartments for rent. „Everything we received will be donated to associations, nursing homes or orphanages. We will definitely find recipients. We will make them available to other social projects that will surely need them. I only have words of gratitude and appreciation for the community of Brasov that was so engaged in this project”, Daniela Kasper added. As no one knows when the war in the neighboring country will end and how many Ukrainian citizens will seek support in Brasov, humanitarian aid is still expected from the Brasov community.
RADIO ROMANIA BRASOV March 11
Translated by Mădălina Brotăcel
