Romania

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Here, two children struggle to obtain even a sip of water from a well that potentially contains harmful diseases. In the small Romanian town of Baia, only one well provides water, and very little of it is suitable to drink. At school, children bring bottled drinking water from their homes. No one can wash their hands before lunch or after physical education. There is a water well 500 meters from the main school, but it has not been cleaned in two years, making it dangerous to drink. Some children still drink this water on their way to school and back home. No one has taken on raising awareness about water issues, even 25 children attending the school were infected with hepatitis in 2002-2003. In addition, children have also become infected with meningitis and streptococci. The water from Baia is both untreated and deficient in iodine, calcium, fluoride, and phosphorus. Many people suffer from thyroidrelated ailments (Tatiana Done of the Club Speo Bucovina).

Much of blame for Romania’s dire situation lies with the government’s inability to handle the situation. Faced with budgetary concerns, the government decided to shut down the water wells for the country, and Romanian children suffered for it.

The nation of Romania boasts a vicissitude of cultures, as well as terrains. Historically, Romania has enjoyed a mixture of Central and Eastern Europe as well as Balkan influences over the centuries. Running through the country is the Danube River, which forms the Danube Delta, Romania’s principal water source. The Carpathian Mountains visibly cut the country into two halves, one including the world renowned Transylvania.