Caritas Children’s Care & Support centres are child protection services whose mission is family integration/reintegration and social integration of children from socially vulnerable families, prevention of separation of the child from the family, marginalization, social exclusion and institutionalization of the child. Within the centres, the children and youth are provided with such activities as care, education, recreation - socialization, counselling, development of independent living, school and professional skills, etc., as well as support, counselling, training, etc. for parents or legal representatives, as well and for other caregivers. The day and temporary residence centres for children and young people in crisis situations aim to improve the well-being of children from vulnerable families, to ensure children’s rights to safety, health, decent living standards and to intellectual, social and spiritual development in accordance with Sustainable Development Goals 2030, Convention on the Rights of the Child and key national child protection policies.

Through the CARING project we contribute to reducing the vulnerability of children and their families to poverty by providing them with opportunities for learning and development, integration and socialization in a safe, caring and non-discriminatory environment, answering the call to "leave no child behind". In doing so, with love, care and support we influence the situation of approximately 500 children and young people and more than 150 parents, who are the main target groups of the project. The project is implemented in 4 (four) centers in Tiraspol, Rascov, Petropavlovca and Zirnesti. 
The challenge of obtaining quality education, care and support remains a reality in all regions participating in the project, and such inequalities and gaps are still present at family and school level, including exclusion, violence, discrimination, lack of child participation, low parental engagement and poor infrastructure. There is a lack of attention to the child in families. Parents are preoccupied with how to feed and clothe their children and many other emotional needs of children remain unmet. As a result, children show isolation, aggression, poor communication skills, lack of self-confidence, poor school performance, conflicts and consequently there are problems with social adjustment. 

The project is in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and national strategic documents of the Republic of Moldova. 
CARING project provides learning and development opportunities for children and youth by involving them in various activities - Recovery Program, Children's Parliament, Rights Information Sessions, Forum Theatre Performances, Workshops on healthy lifestyle, sports and healthy nutrition, Tailoring/craft workshops; Workshops on integral and supportive human development, Video blogging workshops, Financial literacy program, Individual counseling and psychological support, Excursions, Summer camps, etc. Staff of the centers are constantly involved in capacity building activities and trainings on child protection and education.

Petropavlovca 
Period of activity: 2017 - present
Partner: Roman-Catholic parish "The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary", Grigorauca
Purpose: Social integration of children from socially vulnerable families
Beneficiaries: 75 children affected by various vulnerabilities, aged 6-18 years
Petropavlovca is a small village in the district of Singerei, 100 km from Chisinau, lacking infrastructure or public institutions. 
The village was formed in 1897. The first inhabitants who settled in the village came from the Ukraine in 1878, Poles and Ukrainians, who bought land in this village. Then two boyars Petru and Pavel settled in the village working in agriculture, and the village was named Petropavlovca. In 1974 there were 425 persons living in this small village and having access to employment in the local agricultural entities, to education in a secondary school and a kindergarten, to medical services in a medical centre, and to other services in the local community centre, library, and shop. In 1984 the school was closed, and the children went to the secondary school in the neighbouring Grigorăuca village, where they still study. With time the population decreases as the young people leave the village looking for opportunities for learning and work. 
The Catholic Community in Petropavlovca village started to form in 1978, in a small house where the parishioners used to gather, and in 1995-1997 began the construction of the Catholic Church. Over the years several projects were realized with the support and involvement of the Catholic parish for the local community:
•    Children's transportation to school 2000-2008 (no public transportation runs in the village).
•    Hot lunch for the elderly 2009-2013 (no food shops in the village).
•    Humanitarian aid with food, sanitary products, clothes, and shoes (there are many elderly families in need of support).
•    The households were connected to the water pipe - the only source of water, the artesian well with a depth of 100 meters. 
Most families are on the brink of poverty, having no jobs; parents migrate outside the city/ country to ensure a decent living for their children. There is no alternative service in the community to provide educational support for local children besides the public kindergarten. 
Caritas Moldova supports the children's centre that is located in the local parish house and benefits about 75 children per year, being the only space where children and their parents can access opportunities for social development and involvement.