People Helping People.

A high percentage of young people spend their entire summer either working part time or relaxing during their days off from school. But, this upcoming summer seven young philanthropists will be spending two weeks helping orphans in Romania through The House of Hope Ministry. Students from Charleston Southern University, The College of Charleston, and Trident Tech will be leaving the United States on July 17th on a mission trip to Campulung, Romania to build an orphanage for underprivileged children.



In this poverty stricken country, most families do not use contraceptives. Thus, many of them become pregnant. Most do not have the money to care for their children. Often times, if this is a problem or if the child has medical issues the parents just leave the children at a hospital. Many newborns are left in cribs in the hospital nursery until the age of two. In almost all cases they are hardly ever held or played with, and then after two years they are taken to a government run orphanage.

This country's laws forbid those outside of the country from adopting the children because of national issues involving sex trafficking and organ harvesting. Thus, the children are stuck in these government run orphanages; many for their entire lives. One such orphanage in Campulung is very corrupt, and a high percentage of the children are often beaten and neglected.

These are the reasons the seven adults will take the trip...to help build an orphanage where they know the children will be taken care of properly. Which is why this new orphanage will be so properly named a "House of Hope." The orphanage will supply housing for the children, the town with a clean water system, and jobs for many of the town's people.



Since this is an independent project, House of Hope relies solely on donations and teams like this to help them with their goals for this community. This is where the dedicated team needs your help. They are asking for donations from anyone that has even the smallest of amounts to spare. Each student has to raise $2,500 for travel, lodging, and food costs.

They have already hosted Spirit Nights at Chick-Fil-A and yard sales in their attempt to raise money. If you have anything at all to donate that they could possibly sell at one of their yard sales, please do not hesitate to contact them. Everything is appreciated.

They will also be hosting a Pancake Breakfast at the Applebees in North Charleston on April 17th from 7-10 am. Patrons will come to Applebees, pay $5 a person, and will be able to eat a bottomless plate of delicious pancakes. The seven students will be your hosts, waiters, and even dish washers on this Saturday morning.



If you have any questions or anything at all to donate to this caring team you can contact Kristen Carter at mkcarter@csustudent.net. Everything is appreciated. Spread the word. Reach out. Do your part to be a part of people helping people.