Ileana was one of our first patients, in December 1998, right after we opened the counseling center within the Odobescu Hospital. We met her in the very room where abortions were being performed, where the procedure was supposed to take place in just a few minutes. She was already three months pregnant, had three children at home, no job, and was not married.

After learning that we would help her, she decided to leave immediately, despite the nurses insisting on helping her “ease her situation.” The pregnancy went well and she gave birth to a daughter, Diana.

We kept in touch with her over the years and helped her face poverty and a hostile environment. Not long ago, Ileana visited us together with her daughter, who was now already a young lady and attending school. Diana was the comfort of her life, especially since her other three children had married and moved out. Diana is the top student in her class and has very good grades.