WMF Moldova, locally known as LA VIA Community Center, creates a space of healing, integrity and action where children discover hope for a bright future.
Located between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova is one of the smallest of the former Soviet Union’s republics. Despite its picturesque landscapes and a rich cultural heritage, Moldova is a country whose people are seeking to understand who they are and where they stand in the world after being tossed unrelentingly among the hands of multiple powers in recent history until gaining independence in 1991. LA VIA Community Center focuses its relief efforts toward providing a safe space with holistic programming for vulnerable children and families. This includes educational programming, spiritual formation, and more recent relief response for Ukrainian refugees.
Mission Statement
WMF Moldova builds community among the vulnerable and the marginalized: children and their families. We create a space of respect and hope offering equal chances of holistic healing through practical activities that contribute to their rehabilitation and integration into society.
Learn about our staff & support financially.
Read the latest news and notes from the field.
Read the latest news and notes from the field.
About our Programming
WMF Moldova is a nongovernmental organization that builds community among the vulnerable children and their families. This Community Center creates a space of respect and hope, offering equal chances of holistic healing and recovery through practical activities such as art, music, moral-spiritual education, homework help and counseling that all contribute to the children’s and families’ rehabilitation and integration into society.
Since March 2010, we have been carrying out our activity in partnership with a school in Chisinau through a special program of extracurricular activities for approximately 60 socially-vulnerable children. These educational programming includes literacy education, art, music and play therapy, activities that promote the socialization of the children (life skills, moral-spiritual education, outings in the city, positive discipline, nature discovery), development and encouragement of creativity, supplementary homework help and individual assistance for children who have difficulty reading and writing.
Moldova Blog
Back Home
I flew back to the United States one week ago. I have returned to my family, the Blue Ridge Mountains, & my sweet, sweet fiancé. Reverse culture shock has never been easier, but I still deeply miss the people of WMF and Moldova. As I sat around the Christmas dinner table—and many other moments in these last few days—I…
We’re Putting Down New Roots
Early in the month of December as we decorated our artificial Christmas tree one fifth grader exclaimed with delight as she hung the last ornament, “How beautiful!” then added pensively, “We don’t have a Christmas tree at home.” As we plugged in the lights, a second grader came into the room and drew close to…
The 17 Year Old Designer
When I first met M. she was a 12-years-old and in fifth grade. I thought to myself, “Oh boy, here is some trouble.” Spontaneous, active, restless, and flirtatious, I had a sense that this amazing little lady could be headed into a trap if she didn’t have a safe place to blossom. I thought I…