ABL covers the annual room/board costs for a limited number of teenage girls and boys who graduated high school from their orphanage and are currently in good standing in higher education programs.  With the Moldovan government paying orphans' tuition to pursue a degree or certification program, the students' remaining, basic cost-of-living is paid by ABL.  ABL administers the project locally.  This project began with two students in 2006.  Human rights organizations have determined that higher education and vocation skills development play a significant role in trafficking deterrence involving impoverished women and children.  Especially vulnerable are teenage orphans.  Cost:  $75 US per month per student.

Vocational Education - Island of Hope, Chisinau

Based on the success of our similar 2008-9 pilot program, we began in the fall of 2009 to sponsor 10 more orphanage grads in a high-quality vocational training program. The teens are guaranteed jobs by Insula Sperantelor (Island of Hope) once they complete their training certification in the spring of 2010. The students are selected from three local orphanages.  They would otherwise be aging out onto the streets with limited vocational skills. Trafficking of minors for work abroad is a significant problem for indigent and abandoned Moldovan youth.  Insula began with a Counterpart International grant and is founded on anti-trafficking objectives.  It has been sited as a program model by SIDA.   

Cazanesti Internat - Heat

We are presently raising funds for Phase I of an urgent, three-phase heating project. The end result will be efficient and adequate dormitory heating for the children of this orphanage boarding school now challenged by aging infrastructure. Situated on large rural acreage north of the capital and home to a Heifer International cattle and rabbit project, this home cares for over 150 children under the age of 17.  It comprises several large, aging buildings; two greenhouses; a garden plot; and some farming equipment. Phase I requires replacement of 50 windows and several doors to prevent significant heat loss, in preparation for new heating ductwork to be run to and throughout the building where the children live and sleep.  Cost: Heating Phase I: $9,000 USD.