Sandu, five-and-a-half, peers over the fence with big, curious eyes. His face lights up when he recognises World Vision's car. In the year since Sandu rejoined his family, a team of social workers has visited regularly to check on his progress – and occasionally bring a present!

Sandu's mother Narcisa became pregnant at 19. Abused and beaten by her boyfriend, she was in no position to care for a baby, so Sandu was placed in foster care. Eventually, Narcisa ended the relationship and returned to her parents.

Under Romanian law Sandu, then three, had to change foster homes to stay near his mother. Because Narcisa had moved to an area where World Vision's foster care network operated, Sandu was identified and placed in our emergency foster program.

"We didn't know what we were in for," remembered World Vision social worker Maria. "'Hurricane Sandu' swept us off our feet!"

Sandu was a demanding child who had developed some learning and behavioural problems.

"He didn't know how to express his feelings and he was emotionally unstable, passing from laughter to tears in just a few seconds," said Maria.

Caring for him was a challenge but World Vision-trained foster mother Luci was equal to it. "She invested so much in teaching and nurturing Sandu," explained Maria. "When he felt loved and understood, his self-confidence grew."

While Sandu was making progress, World Vision began working to reunite him with his family. Narcisa had found a stable partner, Liviu, who was willing to care for Sandu, with the support of Sandu's grandparents.

Luci and Maria gradually introduced the idea of his own family to Sandu. They also provided Narcisa with support and counselling as she learned how to be a parent.

Sandu now lives with Narcisa and Liviu. Happy and well adjusted, he loves playing with other children, is doing well in kindergarten and looking forward to starting school. He calls Liviu "Father" and it's clear that the two have developed a strong bond.

A decade ago, a child like Sandu would have ended up in an orphanage. Today, he's reunited with his family. Thank you being part of his success story!