Deciding that it was time to take a brief break from the corporate world and go do some good, I volunteered at the Hand of Help (a Romanian owned and ran) orphanage. I went by myself and didn't know anyone there, however 2 there were bilingual which helped me in communicating. The 122 children in the Botosoni orphanage where I stayed seemed amazingly well adjusted, spirited, comfortable and confident. Most have parents, but who are unable to provide for them. While in awe of how happy these kids seemed, it didn't take me long to realize that it is these children who are the fortunte ones, compared to most Romanian children (especially those who live in the 800+ government orphanages and the tens of thousands living in the sewers of Bucharest). Romania went from having
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