OSCE Secretary General presents donation to Moldovan charities

OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier presented donations from proceeds of the 2012 OSCE Charity Ball to two local charities during an official visit to Moldova on 17 July 2012.

At a reception in the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Zannier handed over the donations to representatives of Angelus Moldova, a hospice for patients with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, and Casa Mărioarei, a shelter which offers support to victims of domestic violence.

Presenting the donation to Angelus Moldova, which was the first provider of palliative care in Moldova when it was established in 2002, he said: “I share your belief that everyone has the right to live in comfort and with dignity towards the end of their lives and I hope that this contribution will help your organization expand outside Chisinau, into other areas of the country.”

Praising the work of the Casa Mărioarei women’s shelter, which has been providing assistance to survivors of domestic violence since 2000, Zannier said: “This shelter is not only a roof over the head and a safe place to stay. It is a place where women threatened by violence and their children receive all-embracing support that helps them overcome their trauma, end the violence and regain self-esteem.”

Since 2010 the OSCE Mission to Moldova has been supporting the touring documentary-style play Casa M., which was inspired by the shelter and real-life stories of Moldovan survivors of domestic violence, as part of an awareness-raising initiative. The play will continue in Russian-speaking regions of Moldova this year.