Following the illegal occupation of the abandoned monastery which was transformed into a makeshift orphanage, Father Böjte and his orphans renovated the building room by room.
They also built their own kindergarten, primary school, and administration building.
Father Böjte and the Saint Francis Foundation purchased two apartment buildings near the monastery, using them to house orphans in foster families, generally allocating 8-10 children to a foster parent.
These family groupings consist of children of different ages, so the older children can take on extra responsibilities in the home, and help look after the younger children.
Many of the rescued children go on to learn trades and attend university, while others stay behind helping raise children in the orphanage.
The number of children in Saint Francis Foundation orphanages continues to grow, as more and more children are being brought under its care from increasingly remote and rural regions of Transylvania.

Saint Francis Foundation orphanages have now been established in cities, towns, and villages all across Transylvania.
The majority of the Foundation's budget comes from donations, which is often used to purchase land and real estate to found new orphanages in order to deal with the increasing number of children under the Foundation's care.
The Foundation operates with the support of volunteers, who help care for the children, as well as cook, clean, and build.
The Saint Francis Foundation is not funded or supported by the Government of Romania.
However, in 2005, the Government of Hungary provided the foundation with significant funding, and it donated 15 million HUF for the construction of a sports field for the orphanage in Sovata.
Following the illegal occupation of the abandoned monastery which was transformed into a makeshift orphanage, Father Böjte and his orphans renovated the building room by room. They also built their own kindergarten, primary school, and administration building. Father Böjte and the Saint Francis Foundation purchased two apartment buildings near the monastery, using them to house orphans in foster families, generally allocating 8-10 children to a foster parent. These family groupings consist of children of different ages, so the older children can take on extra responsibilities in the home, and help look after the younger children. Many of the rescued children go on to learn trades and attend university, while others stay behind helping raise children in the orphanage. The number of children in Saint Francis Foundation orphanages continues to grow, as more and more children are being brought under its care from increasingly remote and rural regions of Transylvania.
Saint Francis Foundation orphanages have now been established in cities, towns, and villages all across Transylvania. The majority of the Foundation's budget comes from donations, which is often used to purchase land and real estate to found new orphanages in order to deal with the increasing number of children under the Foundation's care. The Foundation operates with the support of volunteers, who help care for the children, as well as cook, clean, and build. The Saint Francis Foundation is not funded or supported by the Government of Romania. However, in 2005, the Government of Hungary provided the foundation with significant funding, and it donated 15 million HUF for the construction of a sports field for the orphanage in Sovata.
Csaba Böjte