“25 YEARS – 25 NEW BEGINNINGS” – a campaign celebrating 25 chances to start over.

La Strada turns 25. This year, we want to celebrate it differently.

For 25 years, we have stood alongside women and girls in Moldova who have experienced violence or exploitation. For 25 years, we have listened to them, supported them and accompanied them through moments when, more often than not, they did not know where or how to begin rebuilding their lives.

Over all these years, we have seen that the end of a difficult period does not always mean the end of the struggle. Sometimes, it is only the beginning of the hardest part: starting over.

To be able to start over, the women and girls we support need concrete things that can help restore their autonomy, safety and ability to move forward.

A new beginning looks different for everyone: rent or a housing deposit, utilities for the first few months, moving expenses, essential household items; tuition fees, vocational training, certification or language courses, a driving licence, school supplies or other necessary materials; tools to start a livelihood – for example, a sewing machine, manicure or hairdressing equipment, baking tools or other items related to their profession; longer-term individual therapy or other forms of support to rebuild confidence in themselves and others; kindergarten or childcare services that allow a mother to work; school supplies, educational activities or psychological support for a child; medical services or recovery-related expenses that are not covered by other sources.

Sometimes, a new beginning may mean something we could never have anticipated. That is why we want each of the 25 women and girls to be able to say: “For me, to start over, I need…”

Today, we already know some of what they need.

We invite you to discover, in the section below, the real stories of women and girls we support who want to START OVER.

Ana asked for help for her 25-year-old daughter, a survivor of rape. The perpetrator was convicted, but the consequences of what happened continue to affect the young woman and her family. She is also facing serious health problems, while the family is struggling financially. At the moment, her mother has asked for support to purchase a stove – a basic necessity the family cannot afford.

Marina, a survivor of rape, is raising a child with a disability, which significantly limits her ability to work regular hours. She wants to learn a profession that would allow her to work independently and organise her time around her child’s needs. She needs a course in eyebrow and eyelash styling.

Ludmila, a survivor of domestic violence, is raising three children on her own after separating from her abusive husband. She was also sexually harassed for a prolonged period by a local authority employee, making life in her community increasingly difficult because of the hostility she faced. Despite this, she wants to become a speech therapist and apply for a vacant position in her community. To do so, she needs to pursue a master’s degree, which costs 16,000 MDL per year – an amount beyond what her income allows.

Alina, a survivor of rape, is raising her children in difficult financial circumstances. Right now, she needs something simple and essential: clothing for herself and her children.

Nicoleta, a survivor of rape, has a disability and is caring for a child. She enjoys handicrafts, and a sewing machine would allow her to develop an activity that could provide both an income and greater independence.

Irina, a survivor of rape, is a master’s student with strong writing skills. She wants to complete her studies and continue her professional journey. She needs a laptop to be able to write her master’s thesis.

Tatiana, 23, lives with a severe disability and relies on a wheelchair. She was sexually abused by a stranger who knew about her vulnerability and entered her home at night. She receives a pension of nearly 3,000 MDL, which is not enough to cover her expenses. The rest is covered by her elderly grandmother, who also takes care of her. Tatiana is a very talented young woman who paints exceptionally beautiful pictures. A few adaptations to her home, particularly to improve access to the bathroom, would help her become more independent and reduce her reliance on her grandmother.

Olga, a mother of two who is raising her children alone, is facing extremely difficult social and financial circumstances. She has developmental delays and was the victim of a gang rape after being lured and forced to consume alcohol by several men from her community. Recent flooding severely damaged her home, and she now fears she will not be able to get through the winter with the small amount of firewood she can afford, especially given the damage to the house. She hopes to repair the damaged part of her home, but also needs non-perishable food and clothes for her children.

These are just some of the women and girls we want to support as they START OVER.