Jennifer Iacob (nee Lee)

Founder and director of Arms of Love, an organization working with urban Roma children and their families in Bucharest, Romania, Jennifer Iacob humbly states that her greatest accomplishments are helping others reach their full potential. Since graduating from the Nursing program in 2004, Iacob obtained her Registered Nurse status and has been working with children ever since. Iacob created and supervised the Arms of Love program in Romanian state hospitals and orphanages in 2005. The program provides early intervention and education for infants, toddlers and handicapped children at risk for delayed development due to neglect or poor care. She has since recruited, trained and supervised Romanian workers and international volunteers to work with the program. Over the years, she has worked with hundreds of Romanian children, bringing love and hope into their lives. She has established an outreach centre for impoverished families in Romania where mothers and caregivers have access to workshops on first aid, hygiene, and childhood illnesses. The centre also provides day programs for children living in poverty. Children learn math; proper hygiene and social skills; and they participate in programs on literacy and physical education. Iacob offers internships to those who want to gain international experience working with disadvantaged children. An avid reader and baker, Iacob loves to travel and plans to visit India, Brazil and Kenya in the near future.