The impact of the adapted transport service provided by the 5 Keystone mobile teams has been truly transformative, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable populations.

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Liubovi’s Story

In the city of Chișinău, where the streets are narrow and the sidewalks are crowded and unsuited for people needing specialized support, lives Liubovi, a woman whose life was irreversibly changed by an accident. Confined to a wheelchair, Liubovi has fought a daily battle not just with her physical limitations, but also with an environment seemingly indifferent to her struggles. In a city unequipped for her needs, every day was a challenge, each journey an unwanted adventure.

Liubovi’s life is governed by a strict schedule, dictated by her daily routine and the vital necessity of receiving dialysis procedures three times a week. However, the journey to the dialysis center was a significant challenge due to the unfriendly streets and a lack of accessible public transportation – turning every trip into a marathon of obstacles.

One day, Liubovi reached out to Keystone Moldova for help as the Keystone Moldova team is well-acquainted with the difficulties faced by persons with disabilities. Keystone Moldova offered her specialized transport services tailored to her needs, ensuring that Liubovi could safely and comfortably get to the dialysis center for her 7:00am appointments three days a week. Keystone’s adapted vehicle, equipped to support her wheelchair, became a bridge between Liubovi and the world beyond her walls, providing simpler and safer access to vital treatments. The adapted vehicle also provided a key to freedom as Liubovi began to feel once again that she belonged to the community as an active and valuable member, rather than a passive spectator.

Through the support of donors, Keystone Moldova has come together to offer logistical assistance to people in need. Together, we continue to build a better and more accessible future for all community members.

Oleg P.’s Story

Oleg P. lives approximately 110 kilometers from Moldova’s capital city, Chișinău. Fifteen years ago, he fell out of a tree and injured his spinal cord. His disability has made finding a job difficult, and his wife has been caring for him. At the beginning of 2023, he was diagnosed with cancer, and after chemotherapy, underwent a successful surgery in Chișinău and has recovered well.

To monitor his condition, he needs to return to Chișinău periodically for appointments and consultations. Because he uses a wheelchair, traveling is not easy as regional public transportation in Moldova is not accessible. In his search for accessible transportation, Oleg got in touch with one of Keystone Moldova’s Mobile Teams. Thanks to the accessible van, Oleg is able to travel from his home to his medical appointments and back.

I.’s Story

For more than a year and a half, Mrs. A. and her minor son E. have been living in Moldova because of the war in Ukraine. Minor I. has a disability and uses a wheelchair. When they first came to Moldova from Ukraine, they stayed with a host family. The rent was paid by the company where Mrs. A’s husband worked. Then in Marcj, they moved to Vulcănești, where I. stayed with a Moldovan family, rent-free.

I.’s mother is unable to work because she needs to care for her son. “I spoke with another mother who has a disabled child and I found out about Keystone Moldova,” she said. “Since then, Keystone Moldova has helped us a lot, providing us with hygiene products, medicine, vouchers, and a blanket. But the more important this for us is they helped us do two rehabilitation courses for our son at the Center for Rehabilitation in Ceadâr-Lunga.”

Keystone Moldova facilitated the process of signing up for free rehabilitation at the Republican Rehabilitation Center for Children in Chișinău. “To move to Chișinău, we needed accessible transportation. Again, Keystone Moldova helped us with this, so we could travel to Chișinău. WE are very grateful to the organization for supporting us and helping us.”

Because of the accessible van, I. was able to travel approximately 180 kilometers to receive the support he needed.

E. is an adult from Ukraine who came to Moldova in Spring 2022. Keystone Moldova helped E. obtain a wheelchair and a walker free of charge from other organizations. From project resources, she received two types of vouchers – one for shoes and clothing, and another for food and non-food products. Her goal was to continue to Switzerland, and Keystone Moldova facilitated her journey. She is now in Switzerland, where she does consultation and research on her disability.

Although Mrs. V. lived in Moldova, she spent several years working abroad. When her health declined, she returned to Moldova, where her health continued to deteriorate, resulting in the amputation of both of her legs. Her daughter now takes care of her rather than work, and the family’s financial situation became difficult. After seeing a post on the Keystone Moldova Facebook Page about available support, they reached out. The family completed the needs identification questionnaire and received medicine, hygiene products, and food and non-food vouchers. All support was delivered to Mrs. V.’s home in the village.

Little S. was born a month before the war in Ukraine began, and she and her mother had to cross the border into Moldova. From birth, the child had a developmental delay, but because she did not have any identity documents, she could not see a family doctor or receive treatment. Her mother joined several support groups, where she learned about available resources and called Keystone Moldova for help. Keystone Moldova connected her with a surgeon and a neurologist, and S. received appropriate medications and supplements. Her mother is now reassured about the health of her child, who is developing healthily according to age.