On June 1 1990, Helen and Andrew Gardyne left New Zealand for Romania, in a bid to adopt a Romanian child. Seven months earlier, Ceausescu, Romania's Communist dictator, had been overthrown and the plight of that country's institutionalised children revealed to the West.

Helen and Andrew Gardyne's visit to Romania attracted the attention of the New Zealand media, raised the ire of the nation's Government and caused considerable public controversy.

This book tells the story of the Gardynes' encounters and experiences. It raises important questions about children and how we take responsibility for them.