Elena at the tailoring workshop.
In 2018, Elena Huianu’s life changed overnight. When her husband, who struggled with alcoholism and unstable part-time work, left the family, she suddenly became the sole provider for their three children. Struggling with emotional and financial stress, Elena turned to Star of Hope for help—seeking support first for her oldest daughter, Veronica, who was 12 at the time. A few years later, in 2021, she also enrolled her youngest daughter, Alexandra, in the child development program at the center, hoping to give her children a safe environment to learn and grow.
Elena took any part-time work she could find, but her income was unpredictable and often not enough. When the Center opened a tailoring workshop as part of its community empowerment initiatives, Elena joined immediately. With dedication and natural talent, she quickly became one of the most skilled women in the program—encouraging others and rebuilding her confidence through practical training.
During the family’s most challenging seasons, Star of Hope Romania provided crucial humanitarian aid.
Through their poverty relief and family support programs, the organization helped the Huianu family with:
Clothing and hygiene products
Food packages and basic necessities
Livestock, such as goats, to improve self-sufficiency
Assistance in building a well during a severe drought
Support purchasing a cow to provide fresh milk for the family
Each step brought them closer to stability and restored a sense of hope.
With consistent support from Star of Hope and their generous sponsors, Elena’s family began to transform:
Her husband found stable employment and embraced sobriety.
Veronica is now thriving in high school.
Their eldest son, Cătălin, works at a mechanics workshop.
Alexandra participates actively in the center’s educational and social activities, growing more confident every day.
What once felt like an impossible situation became a story of renewal.
Elena’s personal transformation from a crisis situation has been just as meaningful as the practical support. Through community, compassion, and spiritual encouragement, she grew deeper in her faith—attending church regularly, finding emotional healing, and ultimately choosing to be baptized.
Elena Huianu’s journey shows how comprehensive family support, community programs, and faith-based care can help families rise above crisis. Her story is a living example of how hope grows when people receive the tools, encouragement, and compassion they need to rebuild their lives. Crisis averted.
For over 55 years, Star of Hope has unwaveringly pursued a mission inspired by the teachings of Jesus. This is why we exist. Our commitment extends to ensuring children receive education and good health, intervening during emergencies, fostering community development, and empowering individuals through job training to disrupt the cycle of poverty. At the heart of our endeavors is the conviction that everyone, irrespective of identity, deserves fundamental rights encompassing education, health, and freedom.
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