About us
A Christian humanitarian association from Baia Mare, Romania. Since 2022 we have been bringing practical help and the hope of the Gospel to people affected by the war in Ukraine, and to communities hit by disasters.
Our story
It all began in 2022
Make a Difference (Fă o diferență) began in the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We saw the need and chose not to stand by.
What started with the first aid convoys has grown into more than 70 trips across Ukraine. Over the years we have:
- helped thousands of internally displaced people and refugees
- run 5 editions of Svitlo Camp, for 50–70 children every year
- cooked hot meals for hundreds of soldiers near the frontline with our smoker trailer
- brought 3 medical teams to Ukraine in 2026
- delivered 100 heaters to homes in Kyiv last winter, when half of the city’s apartment blocks had no heating
- made 3 trips to Turkey after the February 2023 earthquake, bringing emergency aid and building wooden houses for families who lost their homes
- installed 8 water purification systems with Fountains of Hope International: 4 in camps in Turkey, 3 in 2 Christian children’s camps in Romania and 1 in Ukraine
Our work is mainly in Ukraine, but when disasters strike in Romania or other countries and we can help, we go there too.
We partner with other organisations, churches and ministries, so that together we can have a bigger impact and use every gift well.
We are a Christian organisation, and our faith in Jesus is the reason we serve. But our help is for everyone: we do not discriminate based on anyone’s beliefs, and we never make our help depend on what a person believes. Wherever there is a need, we want to help.
Our mission
To show the love of Christ to people affected by war and disaster through practical help, presence and the message of the Gospel.
Our vision
Communities in Ukraine that are not only rebuilt, but filled with hope: people who know they are loved by God and by His people.
Our values
What guides us
Love in action
We don’t just talk about love. We show it.
Presence
We go ourselves and deliver help by hand.
Hope in Christ
Practical help meets real needs. The Gospel meets the deepest one.
Dignity
Every person is made in God’s image and deserves respect.
Partnership
We work alongside organisations, churches and ministries to reach further and serve better.
What we do
Four ways we serve our neighbours.
Aid to Ukraine
Food, heaters and other essentials delivered to communities in need all around Ukraine, including Kyiv, Kramatorsk, Mykolaiv, Slaviansk and Odesa.
Encouraging soldiers
We take our smoker (BBQ) trailer close to the frontline and cook hot meals for soldiers. We also give them waterproof Bibles provided by Biblica.
Camps for children
From 2022 to 2026 we ran 5 camp editions, with 50–70 internally displaced children every year in Svitlovodsk, Ukraine, to show them they are loved.
Medical teams
In 2026 we brought 3 medical teams to Ukraine: CERT International in Mykolaiv and Kherson, and Medical Mission Outreach (MMO) in Poroshkovo.
What drives us
The love of Christ
We help because we have been helped. At the cross, Jesus showed us a love we didn’t earn, and that love sends us out to others. We serve everyone with compassion and respect, whoever they are, and we want every person we meet to know that God loves them and that there is new life in Jesus.
Our founder
Alexandru Adalbert Vlad
Make a Difference was founded by Alexandru Adalbert Vlad, who coordinates its work from Baia Mare.
He is a graduate of the Bucharest Theological Seminary. After finishing his studies, he served as assistant pastor at Agapia Baptist Church in Bucharest and as youth pastor at Providence Baptist Church.
Alexandru also serves as Content Producer for M4 Europe, a pan-European church planting movement. In this role he travels across Europe documenting church planting stories, and produces podcasts, photography and event highlights from M4 gatherings throughout the continent.
He is also a consultant for M4 Ready Romania, and served on the UBC’22 executive board as Ukraine Project Coordinator.
He is married and the father of three children: two sons and a daughter.
Our journey
From the first days of the war to today
A few milestones from the road so far.
2022
Make a Difference begins in the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Our first trips bring aid to families, displaced people and refugees.
2022 to 2026
More than 70 mission trips into Ukraine and five editions of our children’s camp.
February 2023
One week after the earthquake in Turkey, our first trip there: humanitarian aid, tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, blankets, and food bags made with food bought locally.
May 2023
Back in Turkey to build wooden houses for families who lost their homes, and to install our first water purification system with Fountains of Hope International, in a Syrian refugee camp in Altınözü, Hatay.
2024
A water purification system installed in Ukraine, with Fountains of Hope International.
Winter 2025–2026
100 gas heaters delivered to homes in Kyiv at -26°C, and more than ten EcoFlow power stations given to soldiers, chaplains, pastors and volunteers.
May 2026
Our third trip to Turkey: 3 water purification systems in the Hatay region with Fountains of Hope International: 2 in government camps for displaced people in Antioch (Antakya) and 1 in a church refugee camp in Samandağ.
May to September 2026
Three medical missions: with CERT International in Mykolaiv and the Kherson region, and with Medical Mission Outreach in Poroshkovo.
July 2026
Svitlo Camp, our fifth edition, and pulled pork from our smoker for more than 200 soldiers at the frontline.
August 2026
Alexandru at the National Prayer Breakfast in Kyiv.
October 2026
The Honorary Consulate of Ukraine opens in Cluj-Napoca.
November 2026
A second smoker trailer joins the team, and it’s already cooking.
Our work in Turkey
Emergency aid and tents
Tiny houses and clean water
Clean water in Hatay
People we work with
Friends and partners
We are a small team, and we never serve alone.
Communities of Hope
California, USA
Don and LeeAnn Fredricks. Together we bought the power stations for Ukraine. We were in Turkey together when the earthquake struck, and Don helps us organise the summer camps in Svitlovodsk.
CERT International
Medical teams
Two medical missions together in Mykolaiv and the Kherson region.
Medical Mission Outreach
Medical teams
A medical mission in Poroshkovo.
Biblica
Bibles
Waterproof Bibles that we give out with the meals at the frontline.
Fountains of Hope International
Clean water
Water purification in Turkey, Romania and Ukraine.
Anchor Christian Church
USA
Jeff and Judy visited Romania and Ukraine with us in October 2026.
From the field
A few moments from the frontline and our camps.
Want to make a difference with us?
You can donate, get involved or write to us anytime.