Ionella
Born in a 1987 in a small village close to Timișoara in western Romania, Ionella developed some serious breathing difficulties and was very unwell in her early years.
Because of this, it was decided that living in the countryside might help her to recover and so Ionella travelled 12 hours north, to live with her maternal Grandparents in the beautiful surroundings of Borșa.
Ionella is one of 28 grandchildren and speaks very fondly of her Grandparents and how special it was living with them until, at the age of 7, it came time to return home.
Moving to Walthamstow in London with her family at the age of 16 was very exciting but also challenging for Ionella, who remembers feeling upset following her first experiences at Waltham Forest College, as she did not speak any English. ESOL classes helped with learning the language and in time, Ionella started to thrive in her new life.
Ionella is now happy to be raising her own family in Basildon and she loves to connect with and help her neighbours.
Ionella was born near Timișoara in western Romania, close to the borders with Serbia and Hungary.
Due to ill health, Ionella moved 12 hours north to live with her maternal Grandparents in rural Borșa.
Ionella’s Mum was one of 9 children and her Grandparents had 28 grandchildren!
Ionella had a special bond with her grandmother who always dreamed of seeing her granddaughter get married. This dream was fulfilled when in 2015, Ionella’s grandmother was able to travel to England to celebrate her wedding.
Ionella is now happy to be raising her own family in the quiet and well connected surroundings of Basildon in Essex, UK.
Despite being seriously ill as a baby, the love and care of Ionella’s Grandparents nurtured her back to health. Ionella speaks of her Grandparents with great warmth and affection - they were very special people in her life.
Ionella has special memories of times spent with her Grandmother in the beautiful Maramureş Mountains near to where they lived in Borșa. 4 or 5 times a year, they would take an overnight train 12 hours south, to visit Ionella’s parents and siblings near Timișoara. Photo of Borșa by Pixi, used under licence
Ionella jamming on the saxophone
Ionella lived in the beautiful surroundings of Borșa until the age of 7 and she remembers fond times spent with her Grandmother, going up the mountains, feeding the animals and helping around the garden.
Ionella remembers how positive and encouraging her Grandmother was and how she always ‘saw the light at the end of the tunnel’.
Young Ionella (left) enjoying time with a pony in Romania.
Young Ionella enjoying the winter snow in Romania.
