TIMISOARA '89, RUMANIA

Timisoara '89 is a social project in which SAS YOU ASSIST has been the main sponsor since its inception in 1989.

The organisation operates in a former school on the outskirts of the city. There is a main building that houses the shelter, an exhibition hall and office space for finance staff and social workers. The exhibition hall is rented out for art projects, both physical and digital, for example. It is also used as a meeting room and for conferences. In collaboration with "Alcoholics Anonymous", weekly meetings are organised for those who have problems. Several smaller buildings have been built in the area that are named after their sponsors, including "Swedish House", which we contributed to.

The Timisoara 89 project has several activities such as a shelter, soup kitchen and social assistance. Extremely vulnerable people come here needing both psychological and practical help. Many are homeless who come to the organisation and often have nowhere else to go. A person who does not have a fixed address in Romania also loses their identity document.

Sometimes vulnerable women come with their children and ask for help to escape domestic violence, substance abuse or support and guidance in finding a more stable life.

Social workers and psychologists are employed who help to obtain ID documents, find jobs and arrange various types of treatment. Different support measures were provided to 80–90 people last year. An average of 50 people live at the shelter each month.

There is also some outreach to identify vulnerable families with children. They receive help with food, clothing, and for example school supplies and other expenses related to the children.

Those living in the shelter must contribute to the work on the farm. They must clean and keep their belongings in order. Common areas in the main building, the dining room, the storage rooms and the outbuildings must be maintained. In addition to the buildings, there is a garden that makes them largely self-sufficient during the summer, as well as chickens and rabbits. Alcohol and drugs are absolutely prohibited, and those who live in and visit the area must show consideration and behave decently towards each other.

Petru Ilieşu is the founder and the driving force of the organisation. He suffered from polio many years ago and has never recovered, but this does not prevent him from tirelessly advancing the work. He has been politically engaged since his youth and actively participated in the resistance movement against Ceaușescu's government. He named the organisation after the Romanian revolution that took place in Timisoara at the end of 1989, when Ceaușescu was overthrown and murdered.

Petru's main job, besides leading the organisation, is to find sponsors. This of course consists of fundraising, but also of procuring materials for buildings, for the garden and for general maintenance. He has agreements with several companies that contribute food, cleaning supplies, sanitary materials, etc. The city of Timisoara contributes funds for 40 daily meals to poor families, as well as salaries for a number of social workers. However, most of the income comes from foreign sponsors, private companies and individuals.

The organisation is often recognized for its good social work through various official awards, newspaper reports and features on TV programmes. This of course helps to attract more sponsors, both companies and individuals.