Young Folks at Home

JULIE DENESHA for TIME

WE ARE FAMILY: Origins unknown, age unknown, but with the care and company at Casa Austria, Nina now knows how to smile

When she was picked up at a railroad station of the industrial city of Ploiesti in June 2000, Nina was a hardened little street child who hoarded food, carried all her belongings in a plastic bag and regarded strangers with a suspicious frown. Today, as a resident of Casa Austria, a family-type home in Ploiesti for children in need, she seems the picture of happiness. Though still a bit hyperactive, she smiles constantly, is extremely sociable and spends most of her time at play. She may never learn the identity of her parents, how she ended up at the railroad station...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!