Abandon Valley - Mugur Varzariu

The incidence of abandonment of children in still high in Romania, with poverty and lack of education — together with old fashioned mentalities — being among the main reasons. Approximately 130 km north of Bucharest in the southern part of Romania is a valley called Valea Screzii, where, located between two villages — Valea Plopului and Valea Screzii — a benevolent orthodox priest named Father Tanese has taken it upon himself to provide shelter to expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Often they are beaten for the “shame” they bear. They arrive, bringing with them their children. Some bring new born babies and leave, others come pregnant and then leave after delivering their babies. A few stay in the community after giving birth. In these cases the priest finds work for them and they live in the camp with their children. Some tend their children only, while others become social mothers (workers), taking care of other children that have been abandoned and left behind without family and without prospects.

Abandoned children and unwed women with children receive little from the state. What they do receive is barely enough to make ends meet. But the priest is begging for them so that they do not have to beg. And there are many moments when they can barely find something to eat. He is like a father to them and by bringing them close to God, the children here look different, and in a way better, than the ones in state shelters. Some of the children live with the villagers.

Others live in the camp the priest built in the valley between the two villages. The community continues to grow, with currently more than 320 children living there. Just to make sure there is no envy between the kids, each time the community receives humanitarian aid for the abandoned kids, everything is shared with the villager’s kids. The playground in the camp is also available to all children.

Upon reflection, what moved me about this reality was the presence of hope in an otherwise terrible place. I learned about this community almost 6 years ago, when a friend asked if I could spare some money to help them. I gave them the money and they used it to buy new windows for an old village house which needed to be refurbished in order to be accepted by the authorities as a shelter.

I never dreamed of going back as a photographer. I finally did and the most important thing I learned is that sacrificing time to help others feels much better that just giving money’…

One of the churches built by father Tanase, as seen in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kid walks by an orthodox calendar as seen in Valea Screzii, on October 27, 2010. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kid looks on in front of the orthodox church as seen in Valea Screzii, on October 27, 2010. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Baptism ceremony of a baby born in the community, as seen in Valea Screzii, on January 9, 2011. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kid attends an orthodox ceremony as seen in Valea Plopului. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kids playing headers as seen in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kids pretend to drive an abandoned truck as seen in Valea Screzii, on October 27, 2010. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Former ostracized mother as seen in Valea Plopului on her wedding day, ten years after she found shelter in the community. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kids playing as seen in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Mama Sita, one of the most respected foster mothers, as seen in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kid walking as seen in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kids playing football as seen in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Ostracised mother holding her baby boy, as seen in Valea Screzii, on June 7, 2010. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kid during class as seen in Valea Plopului. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Little girl, as seen in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kid with pacifier in the camp, as seen in Valea Screzii, on October 27, 2010. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kid trying to fix the Christmas lights, as seen in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kids playing, as seen in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Father Tanase, as seen at home in Valea Plopului. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kids playing in an abandoned car, as seen in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kids attends an orthodox ceremony as seen in Valea Plopului. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Girls, as seen in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kids, as seen in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Medical nurse holding the new borne of one of the ostracized mothers from Valea Screzi, as seen in the maternity hospital in Valenii de Munte. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kids at school as seen in Valea Plopului, on October 27, 2010. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Funerals of Mama Rita, a foster mother of 6 and an important member of the community, killed in a tragic car accident, as seen in Valea Screzii, on February 20, 2011. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Father Tanase as seen in Valea Plopului. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Elena, one of Mara Rita's kids, as seen in Valea Plopului. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Ostracized mother breast feeding her her newborn inside her shared room in Valeas Screzii few moment after their arrival from the hospital.

Kid looks on from the first floor in the camp, as seen in Valea Screzii, on October 27, 2010. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Brothers playing in an abandoned car, as seen in Valea Screzii, on October 27, 2010. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Sheep backdropped by a communist plant as seen on the way to Valea Plopului. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kids share cherry compote in the camp, as seen in Valea Screzii, on July 7, 2010. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Girl crying, as seen in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Abandoned kid plays with his ball at sunset in Valea Screzii.

Ostracized mother holding her newborn inside her shared room in Valea Screzii.

Kid grabbing a candy from his mother in the camp in Valea Screzii. Few mothers remain in the camp together with their kids, having no other place to go. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Icon depicting Jesus next to a pacifier, as seen in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Abandoned kids play in the camp, as seen in Valea Screzii, on October 27, 2010. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Expecting ostracized mother as seen in Valea Screzii.

People attending Mass as seen in Valea Plopului. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Villagers kids and abandoned kids play in the school yard, as seen in Valea Screzii, on October 27, 2010. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Icon depicting Jesus, as seen on Mama Rita's wall, in Valea Screzii, on June 9, 2010. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Man attends a wedding ceremony, as seen in Valea Plopului. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Mama Rita and father Tanase as seen in Valea Plopului. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Woman kissing an icon during Mass as seen in Valea Plopului. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

General view of an orthodox church , as seen in Valea Screzii, on January 9, 2011. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kid playing in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Girl in a wheel chair as seen in Valea Plopului. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Elena and father Tanase as seen in Valea Plopului. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

Kid holding a dog as seen in Valea Screzii. This is a community set in place by Father Tanase in Valea Plopului/Valea Screzii to offer shelter to abandoned children and expecting mothers, single women who come in shame, fleeing social ostracism and often violence because they are pregnant and unmarried.

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