Day 3 - Demolition and Renewal

501 Collective goes to Romania & Ukraine

In April 2022, while 501 Collective was in Suceava, we were taken to a house in a rural area.

“I know these people who could really use some help,” we were told. 

The home had become unlivable. With leaks in the roof, animal infestations, and multiple hazards, the children had to move in with relatives to a safer space while the parents went through each day ‘surviving.’

The father had a debilitating injury that left him unable to get work

.

When 501 Collective shared the story and need, a couple from the Portland area funded the entire project of renovating the home.  And today, we were able to start with the demolition of the home.  And soon, we hope to be able furnish the home, add an indoor toilet, build a new fence, and add a well with running water.

*

As we drove down the street, kids started coming out of their driveways, ladies started waving through the windows and men started walking over to see what we were up to. 

Neighbors brought tools over and jumped in with helping us tear down the current property.  It wasn’t an American project. It was a community project.  The community was aware of the struggles this family had been facing and rather than feelings of jealousy, there were feelings of support that someone had come to help support this family. 

In broken English, one of the neighbors shared, “That’s nice people, good people, good people.  He’s sick. They need help.”  And then the neighbors proceeded to climb on top of the roof and help us tear down the home… in preparation of great things to come.

One of the neighborhood grandmothers walked up to each lady on the team giving hugs and saying, “I love you, I love you, I love you.”