Making a difference in Romania

Pictured is Cindy Getchman (in back) with several of the children at her program in Medgidia, Romania.

When she was 40 years old, Cindy Getchman made a life-changing decision: she went on a mission trip to the Republic of Moldova. 

While there, Getchman, a St. Louis native whose parents have lived in Waterloo for more than 30 years, saw the terrible conditions children were living in.

“My whole life I had a heart for kids and helping them,” Getchman recalled. “I saw the conditions in Moldova and the orphanages, and I really knew that’s what I was supposed to do. It’s just like destiny and purpose collided. I just wanted to feed kids.”

Cindy, the daughter of Sister Cities of Portaloo members Bill and Jean Getchman, continued in her job as a hospital administrator and social worker for another year. 

Then she moved overseas, settling in Medgidia, Romania. 

With a population of around 40,000, Medgidia is the poorest region in a country that lost 5 million people last year to out-migration.

Medgidia residents subsist on about $1.50 a day…>>> 


Read more in the February 20, 2019, issue.

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James Moss

James is an alumni of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he graduated summa cum laude with degrees in mass communications and applied communications studies. While in school, he interned at two newspapers and worked at a local grocery store to pay for his education. When not working for the Republic-Times, he enjoys watching movies, reading, playing video games and spending time with his friends.
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