We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script'I Live For My Children': Moldovan Woman Is Foster Mom to 28 Kids PKG
Intro:
Over 30 years, Ana Furtuna from the Moldovan city of Drochia has been a foster parent to 28 children. When she and her husband first realized they would not be able to have their own children, they took in seven foster kids from an orphanage. When her husband died, Furtuna decided to divide the house between four children who still needed a home. Mandatory credit on video: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
PKG
MOLDOVAN WOMAN IS
FOSTER MOM TO 28 KIDS
ANA FURTUNA, FROM THE
CITY OF DROCHIA, HAS BEEN
TAKING IN CHILDREN FOR 30 YEARS
Ana Furtuna
All my life, I wanted to have children. [My husband] was from a family with many children, but I was an only child and I told myself I would do everything to have children, even if God didn't want me to have my own.
AFTER VISITING AN ORPHANAGE,
SHE AND HER HUSBAND CAME
HOME WITH THE FIRST SEVEN CHILDREN
Ana Furtuna
[The orphanage said:] "What? You want children?" I said: "Yes." "Then have your pick!" And they brought in the children. "Who wants to go home?" We chose those who raised their hands.
So we took in six children. When we were leaving -- we were almost out of the door -- a little boy ran to us. My husband asked him: "What's the matter?" [He said:] "Please, take me too."
VLADIMIR, NOW 39, WAS ONE
OF THE FIRST TO ARRIVE
Vladimir Condurari
I wanted to have parents a lot, because I remember when I was little at the orphanage, I would see how parents visited other boys and I wanted them to visit me, too. And then, one day the sun rose, so to speak, and Mom and Dad came in.
TATIANA CAME TO LIVE WITH
THE FURTANAS WHEN SHE WAS 7
SHE WANTS TO
BE A SOCIAL WORKER
Tatiana Olemscaia
Before I came here, I didn't have a family. My mother and father were role models. Together we were able to find a solution to any problem, a shoulder to cry on, someone to share my successes with.
In the past, I received help from social services. Now it's my turn to help. In fact, I want to specialize in family and child protection.
Ana Furtuna
We did our best, me and my husband, to get them an education. "OK, you might end up as a tractor driver -- your problem -- but go on and finish school. It will serve you well some day."
When they grew up and began to get married, this is where they left from. We had a large room measuring 60 square meters. That was for weddings, ceremonies, everything.
AFTER HER HUSBAND DIED,
SHE DECIDED TO SPLIT THE
HOUSE WITH FOUR OF HER CHILDREN
-- THE ONES WHO MOST
NEEDED A HOME
Three girls -- they had nowhere to go. So I said: "I'll do my best to give you your own space here. Go where you want, work where you want, but you'll always have your own corner here."
And the boy got his space, too. You know, you must have a man around the house, too.
HER HOUSE REMAINS FULL
OF CHILDREN, AND GRANDCHILDREN
Ana Furtuna
My relatives would tell me: "You don't have children? Good for you! What for? Live for yourself!" But I want to live for the children. Believe it or not, even today, I live for my children.
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media