History

Humanity at Heart was set up in 1990 in response to the suffering and poverty of people in Romania, which was brought to the world's attention after the fall of the former Communist leader, Ceausescu.

Initially we sent aid into Romania, and during January 1990 several convoys, with 40 tons of food and clothing, were delivered. We helped to refurbish the toilets and washrooms of an orphanage in the Galati region of Romania. Work was extended to the town of Rucar where another orphanage was helped, as well as schools and some local families. In 1992 a clinic, which included dental facilities, was built in Rucar. As well as working in orphanages and children's homes, we have had significant input into Romanian Hospitals.

Pictured above, a typical community affected by poverty due to the closure of state industries

Recently, we have become involved in building our own long term development projects in partnership with other charities with the same aims.  Our main focus is now in the town of Petrosani, situated in the Carpathian mountains of central Romania.  We work alongside our Romanian partner organisation, the Herepeia Foundation, to combat social and economic deprivation.

The shop provides our greatest source of income.

We have had a shop in Hassocks since 1992. It is both our administrative base, and our largest source of income. The charity has one full and one part-time worker assisted by 30 volunteers. They run the shop, promote the work of the charity in the local area, and help to hold fund raising events.