In January of 1998, a partner organization took Valentin Danila, a former street child, into their children's home.
When did you first come to the streets?
I was 10 years old. Though my father was a truck driver, he used all his income to buy alcohol. He would get very violent when he was drunk and beat up my brothers and sisters and me. So, we ran away.
What did you do when you were on the streets?
At first, one of my brothers and I made friends with some other runaways. We all hung out together at the factory (one of the largest in Europe ), did odd jobs for the workers, and ate at the cantina. Then I moved into the center of town where there were more businesses and more money. I helped out the people who sell flowers, and I begged on the buses.
Where was your mother during this time?
I don't like talking about her. She took one of my sisters and sold her to a Greek prostitution ring. She abandoned the family when I was eight.
What was the thing you liked most about life on the streets?
When I was on the streets, I liked to sniff paint. I knew it was bad for me, but it made me forget my pain, my hunger and the cold. I guess it's sad to say that it was the best thing.
What comes to mind when you think of your life on the streets?
I can't believe how different I am compared to the children still living on the streets. I am much bigger than they are. And I am healthy. When I see them, I realize how far I've come. But still I pity those kids. Many of them were my friends. I try to bring them my old clothes and shoes. Sometimes I bring them some food or money. It amazes me to see where I am now.
What are you doing now?
I'm in school. Before coming here I didn't know how to read or write. I also do a lot of work around the house and in the garden. My favorite thing to do, though, is to play soccer. Here we even have our own soccer field.
