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The Smiles
Regional Conferences 2010
From Adi Matis, Project Manager 100 Love Club |
 It’s always a pleasure and a challenge for me
to travel. The Smiles Foundation’s
Conferences this year was about
travelling from one corner of the United Kingdom to the other, for
more than a week, while we got to see a lot of places and people, all
different and having their own local characteristics, very special
and
exciting for the visitor, and of course to present our work, both in
Romania and UK.
Also, these conferences meant many “firsts”.
My first trip to United Kingdom, my wife’s first flight, also for
Mioara. It was the first time when I travelled abroad with just my
Romanian ID card, no passport involved (this made me feel more
“European”, although the passport officer verified and double verified
me for some reason!). For the first time we had nine regional
conferences instead of one national. It was my first Smile’s
Conference and presentation… I could go on with a few others, but for
sure, the big one is: I had the chance, for the first time, to meet
the English on their own territory.
We arrived late at the airport in Dublin, Friday on the March 19th.
Our first meeting was with our friends and supporters from Northern
Ireland, so the next day, we were in Enniskillen. I personally did not
know exactly what to expect… Neither did Mioara but Maria was pretty
relaxed and later on I understood why; we were among friends!
When people started to come, I recognised a lot of their faces from
the previous Mission Trips and they welcomed us, giving us hugs, much
as good friends do. When we had our presentation, they were paying
attention and were kind enough not to make fun of our miss-spellings
in our PowerPoints… And, in the end, they were very happy to encourage
us, because they share the same vision and the same values as we, the
Romanians of Smiles do.
 
To be honest, I could tell you in details about
every conference, because I remember them all very well. But I guess I
would only have to repeat the same as I just told you about the first
one. All over the place, the people were warm and friendly and made us
feel welcome and encouraged. Not only did we get to meet all Smiles’
friends, but also we were very impressed with their efforts for making
The Smiles Foundation known in all the UK regions. I’ve heard many
ideas for “fun(d)” raising, for promotion and for getting the support
for our projects. What impressed me most was the commitment of these
supporters to ensure that we, the Romanian team, will be able to
continue helping those in need and provide for those included in our
programmes.
I believe their hearts are really beating for Romania!
I can not say anything else than: Respect!
 
We also saw many
places while driving the car. We went across the whole United Kingdom
and we were all amazed by these new things for us. I must make a
special mention of London, that we visited at midnight between two
Conferences: A Fairy Tale! We have only been there for one hour,
driving around Big Ben, the London Eye, the Museums, the Houses of
Parliament… We’ve been in Piccadilly Circus
 and
Leicester Square, walking for fifteen minutes, but will remember it
for a lifetime! And did I mention the “brunch”? English Breakfast, big enough for lunch! “Eggs and bacon”… I think I could easily
become a “servant of the Queen”, if only for that!
Thank you, all our UK
supporters, for helping us to help our fellow Romanians! Without your
support, it would be much, much harder. We appreciate it so much! May
God bless you all!
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Views
from our Regional Development Associates: |
 Region 1 – North
East, DA – Rob Nightingale
The success is not easy to measure immediately, but, by follow-up
discussion with individual attendees, I hope to develop some of the
issues: more sponsorship, more mission trippers; more schools;
spreading Smiles to more places in this region.
Region 2 – North West, DA – Derek & Lynda Donaldson
A number of people who attended the conference in Kendal responded by
e-mail afterwards and all were very positive. They had found the
evening very interesting. One lady commented that she had particularly
enjoyed speaking to Adi about his work during the break! Perhaps an
event with more free-time to mingle with the team is something to
consider?
It was good for us to meet 'new people' in a new area. We do believe
that it was worth trying out this new venture and we would be
interested to hear how the response had been in other areas.
Region 3 – North Midlands, DA – Sue Allen
• great opportunity to meet Adi and his wife as well as Mioara
• although we had some formal presentations the atmosphere was very
relaxed (with much laughter) and gave us the chance to make new
friends and catch up with some old ones
• for those supporters who work very hard for Smiles in the background
but only manage to go on Mission trips once every year or two, it
provided a real boost and made them think that their efforts are not
forgotten. Smiles has a very good reputation for regularly
communicating with its supporters.
 Region 4 – Southern Counties, DA - David Lee
I thought the Regional Conference went well and the feedback has been
good.
Region 5 – South East, DA – Annette Hoskins
The Conference here in Worthing was very well attended and the general
consensus of those spoken to is that it was very uplifting and
informative. Following the Conference we received a donation of £1500
($2250) to be added to the South East Container Fund. Taking the total
thus far collected to £4932 ($7398). A huge Thank you to everyone
concerned. We are well on the way now to buying a Container in
Romania, fully fitted and ready to give a home and new start to a
deserving family.
Lots of people went away from the Conference buzzing with fundraising
ideas and I look forward to working with them on these projects. We are
all looking forward to the Tileagd School Choir visits in July and
hopefully a full concert Tour during August/September.
The “Smiles” are spreading here in the South East.
Region 6 – South West, DA – Keith & Sandra Jones
We were pleased with the number of folks that came to
Mitcheldean – many of whom would not have travelled to Leeds for a
National Conference, so there were far more attendees from across our
region than would have been at one national Conference.
Other comments:
1. People liked the timing and the fact that it was an evening
2. Better time management which kept the focus very high
3. Lots of comments afterwards about how much people enjoyed it
4. Enables focus on activities in our region to hopefully get more
drive and momentum.
Based on this, we suggest the same again next year!
Region 7 – Wales, DA – Leah Slaymaker
By 2.20 most of the people had arrived! (start time in Wales was 2pm!)
It was lovely to see old faces but also some new ones. We were all
encouraged to hear of the ongoing good work in Romania. The prayers,
songs and testimonies were great and we had a good response to the
day. We had some people interested in sponsoring certain projects,
child sponsorship, coming on mission trips, and also becoming
Ambassadors in Wales. Two people had asked for us to go and talk to a
group of people at their work place, one included the hospital at
Llanelli.
 Region 8 – Scotland, DA – Ann Cowan
New people linked to new schools and new church contacts. I have
already seen the benefits. Not only that but it is great to encourage
the very supportive core of people who continue to support Smiles with
long term commitment. I myself also find it encouraging and exciting
to see the development and fulfilment of projects and in Romania.
Hearing from the people who are on the ground carrying out the work
makes it more relevant which spurs me on to encourage others to
continue to fundraise and support the work.
If possible I would like to see the regional conferences again
next year.
Region 9 – Northern Ireland & Eire, DA – Penny Kennedy
The conference in Northern Ireland was such an encouragement. It is so
uplifting to meet together with people who have shared common
experiences in Romania and who share the vision and excitement about
working for God through the Smiles Foundation to share the Good News
of Jesus with deeds as well as words. There is a real sense of team
work with the different areas fully in support of one another. The
concept of a regional team is working very well as we have been able
to bounce off ideas with one another and share information. God gifts
people in such a variety of ways and these gifts can be used with more
impact when people use them together.
The Northern Ireland team is pulling together to fill 4 containers - 2
of which are going out from Ballymena and Richhill during the mission
trip in early May. Then there will be another one from Ballymena and a
further one from Ballymoney later in the year.
 It was lovely that Paul and Ali Jeanes were able to join
us from England.
It is a sign of the bonding that goes on with
a team on mission trips that Maddy came over from Wales
to the conference to meet up with all her friends who have been on the
last 2 trips from Ballymena!
We were very grateful to Myrtle & George Irvine, Amanda & Iain
Linton and Liz Robertson and the rest of the team from Enniskillen
for their generous hospitality. The fellowship we had over meals and
over cups of tea was just as important as the rest of the meeting.
The talks from the Romanian team made a big impact and people are more
determined now to try and get sponsors for the different projects.
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