My Story

Nicolae – 73 ani (December 19, 1945)

I’m 74 years-old, and was born and raised here.  My two sisters have already died, and my brother lives hours away by bus.

My whole life, I was a professor of history, and my wife was a school teacher here in the village. We had one child, a daughter, who visits me two or three times a year. My wife was a wonderful woman, but she died years ago. I miss her every day.

After she died, my health rapidly declined. The social worker brings me food sometimes, and my total combined income [retirement and social security] is $58 per month.  Life feels impossible now; I’m spending all my money on medicine, so food and firewood are an unattainable luxury.