Reflections on Isolation

It was a beautiful February day. We were all still waiting to see some snowflakes and enjoy the winter we did not have yet at the BOL Home in Brosteni. Due to the milder winter weather, the children had not had many chances to play winter games. This warmer weather was also a blessing as not many of them had your typical winter sicknesses. We only experienced a small outbreak of flu and a few colds, but the majority of the children stayed healthy.

Life inside the Home flowed in the rhythm already established during the first months of school. The children were waking up early to go to school, focusing on homework after school, and using their left over time for different group activities. Everything was ordinary and peaceful without any signs of a future drastic change. Nothing seemed to foretell dark days ahead, and we only heard some curious news from the very far away land of China, where they had a new virus without a vaccine. But, China was far from the little town of Brosteni, and we were just spectators to this news.

One evening, while I was enjoying the presence of the children and having dinner together, the four-year-old Beti came to me. She was panicked, and with her particular childish accent that omits specific letters in words, she said: “Mister Dorin, the coronavirus is coming!!” We all laughed out loud, seeing her panic and gently explained to her how far away China was and that this virus would not come to us.

Days passed, and I forgot the random talk with Beti. Then, almost out of nowhere, in response to the terrifying news about what the virus did west of Europe, the Romanian government took drastic measures, closing down the school system, reorganizing shifts, and locking down private and state-owned institutions. We were all in a state of shock paralyzing our actions, not knowing how best to react and fearing that Romania would follow the example of western countries.

During this lockdown, we had to move the operating staff inside the home for rotations of 14 days. Only after May 15th could I return to the BOLCH since I was from a different town. I was so happy to be back and see the children I’ve missed so much. As I was talking to the children, I was curious to see what they thought about the times they recently went through. Abel, one of the older boys, told me with a jovial smile: “Isolation was not that bad because we did not go to school :).” Denisa said, “it felt like we were prisoners, but at least I could watch the town from my window.” Maria T. said, “this was the most boring time, and because the weather was not good, we had to stay inside for days and days.” Ioana B. said, “I am happy we have a nice yard where we can play.” Maria B. was happy because the tutors were available more during the isolation period to spend time and do more activities with them. Listening to their private talks and arguments, it was interesting to see how they reflected the positions of the adults around them ranging from “this is just fake news” to fearing that they too might get the virus.

This time was indeed a difficult time for all of us. The children missed many of the little things that they had the freedom to do; even going to school is something that they long for now. The crisis seems to be diminishing, but it required extraordinary sacrifices from both the children and the BOL team. Still, we prevailed and have come through this crisis closer and stronger as a family. Thank you for all your prayers, and please know that you are in our prayers also.

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous:
but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” Psalms 34:19 KJV

Dorin Ciocan