The lives of disabled orphans in Moldova will be brightened by a group of caring children and church supporters.

The children from Christ Church United Reformed Church, Clacton, have collected together toys, toiletries and play things for disabled youngsters in an orphanage.

The children have also decorated the 67 shoeboxes, which have just been collected by TEECH, a charity set up to help eastern European countries and the people who live there.

The charity is currently taking volunteers out to Moldova to revamp at least three of the dormitories where there are some 200 children.

The government of Moldova today joined with mental health and children's advocates in paving the way to end an era of isolating people with mental disabilities in institutions.

The "Memorandum of Understanding for Deinstitutionalization and Community Living for People with Mental Disabilities" was signed today by the Ministry of Social Protection, Family and Child, the Open Society Mental Health Initiative, the Soros Foundation—Moldova, Hope and Homes for Children, and Keystone Human Services International. By signing the memorandum, the ministry and the nongovernmental organizations have committed to a four-year collaboration that will end the further institutionalization of children with mental disabilities and establish models for community-based services that will replace the institutions in the long run.

Moldova, which has a large number of people with disabilities in residential institutions and a lack of alternative services, recently signed the United Nations Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities. Last month's memorandum will help Moldova make the provisions of the Convention a reality, say the groups.

"This project is the materialization in practice of Moldova's policies regarding people with disabilities. The project will enable people with disabilities to lead meaningful lives close to their families, friends and colleagues, and puts Moldova in a position to prepare for ratification of the convention", said Galina Balmos, Minister of Social Protection, Family and Child.

"We are pleased for the opportunity to work with the Republic of Moldova to significantly improve the quality of life of people with mental disabilities," said Judith Klein, Director of the Open Society Mental Health Initiative. "People with mental disabilities across Central and Eastern Europe are faced with stigma and discrimination which prevent them and their families from participating in society as equal citizens. We hope the example of Moldova will spur other governments to stop locking people away in large institutions and ensure their access to services at all levels in the community."

The project, which builds on local and international expertise and resources, will pilot the relocation of residents from the Home for Boys with Disabilities in Orhei to family-type living arrangements in the community, while developing the range of comprehensive support services in the community, mechanisms for quality assurance and monitoring, and the financial and operational frameworks needed to sustain this change in the future.

The government of the Republic of Moldova recently joined with mental health and child advocates to pave the way to end an era of isolating children and adults with mental disabilities in institutions.

The "Memorandum of...