A big thank you for the backpack and school supplies!

Every September, nine-year-old Daria counts the days until school begins. This autumn marks her fifth year of school. For her, the first bell is more than the start of classes. It means new discoveries, new things to learn, and stepping closer to fulfilling a big dream.

“I want to become a pediatrician when I’m grown up,” she says.

Daria is eager to learn and takes pride in her schoolwork. Her notebooks are neat, her writing careful. When she needs help, neighbours and the Mission’s after-school program step in to support her.

Daria lives in a small rural village in Romania, where there are very few opportunities, and she loves the new world that school opens up to her. She enjoys being in class, learning, and spending time with her classmates. She works hard, practicing her writing and maths, determined to build a future beyond what her village seems to offer.

For families like Daria’s, buying what a child needs for school is challenging. Although schooling in Romania is officially free, the hidden costs – notebooks, textbooks, transport, and classroom supplies – quickly become overwhelming. For many families already struggling to make ends meet, these expenses put education out of reach. Children drop out not because they lack ability or desire, but because poverty closes the door to opportunity.

Back to School

This is why Mission Without Borders’ Back to School program is so important. Each year, children like Daria receive a backpack filled with essential school supplies. For families facing impossible choices, this simple gift lifts a heavy burden and makes it possible for children to return to school with confidence and dignity.

Behind Daria’s love of learning is a story marked by deep hardship. Her mother, Viorica, lost her sight several years ago despite multiple surgeries. Her father, who had gone to work abroad, died suddenly in March 2024, and the family could not afford to bring him home. A calm man who took good care of his family, he is deeply missed by Daria and Viorica.

“Daria asks me, ‘Why do you think God took my daddy away? Doesn’t he know that I’m only little and I need him?’” Viorica said. “How can I answer a question like that?”

“I’ve always had problems with my sight. Teachers, especially during the Communist period, didn’t want to have to bother with me,” Viorica said. “I want so much more for Daria. I want her to have the best education possible. She deserves every chance she gets to learn, grow and build a bright future.”

Daria and her mother Viorica sitting on their couch

Today, Daria and her mother live in a single unfinished home with no running water, bathroom, or kitchen. Daily life is difficult. Water must be carried in, and even simple tasks like bathing require heating water on the stove, something that has led to accidents because of Viorica’s blindness.

“My twin sister cooks for us, and my father helps by watching Daria,” Viorica said. “I want Daria to have a happy childhood as much as possible, despite our life situation.”

Support from Mission Without Borders has also been vital in other ways, from food and clothing to providing glasses for Daria when she needed them, allowing her to continue learning.

“We cannot thank you enough. Thank you for being there for us when Daria’s father died. Your love and support have truly touched our lives and continue to do so,” Viorica said.

As each school year approaches, the cost of supplies remains a major challenge. That is why the Back to School program means so much to families like hers. The backpack and school supplies Daria received is a great encouragement to Daria, and a reminder that she is not alone. “A big thank you for the backpack and school supplies,” Daria says. “It’s just great to have something new as I start a new school year. I love it!”

In communities where poverty threatens to interrupt education, the Back to School program helps children stay in school, continue learning, and keep dreaming. For Daria, it means one more year of hope – and one step closer to becoming the pediatrician she dreams of being.