|
Dear Friends
Thank you for your support and prayers for the work of Smiles in Romania
day by day.
That very thought is an issue that really took our attention this month.
Many pray for Smiles weekly. Many financially support monthly or
whenever possible. Many even visit Smiles Romania once or twice a year. But
the Smiles team in Romania are working hard in difficult circumstances every
day and need your support more than ever.
2007 was an exciting year as it was the first full year of so many projects
fully operating after years of planning, fund-raising and construction.
The Cihei Children’s Centre, the
Gepiu Community Centre,
the
Mirlou
Emergency Housing Centre and the
Tileagd
Community School & Kindergarten.
All opened at various times between April & October 2006, so 2007 had to
support their full annual operating costs for the first time.
Some hoped that the 2007 entry to the European Union would improve things
for Romanians, but sadly for many, especially the poor, vulnerable and
disabled – it was the hardest year since the fall of communism in 1989!
More than ever, these people need our support. They need a friend, and
Smiles has always said “We are their friend”.
January was a great month for establishing the
‘plan of action’ for the year ahead. We were able to hold various meetings
that helped us focus on all the challenges.
In January……
-
Dave Clark, Trustee
and Construction Advisor, was in Romania for important meetings with
Kevin and contractors for the final stage of the Community Complex
completion.
-
Stephen Woodward,
Trustee and Education Advisor, was in Romania working with Clara and
Delia at the School and Nursery.
-
Dr Cathy Humphries,
our new Medical Advisor, was in Romania to spend a week with Drs’ Ema
and Claudia discussing their needs and challenges for 2008.
-
We also held our
Smiles Staff Conference in Romania which is always an encouraging
event as all the staff, now more than 70 from all the projects, get
together to share reports on the past year and hopes for the next.. Some
staff who joined in 2007 had the opportunity to meet colleagues from other
projects for the first time. A wonderful day indeed.
-
Back in England, the
Smiles Development Associates
all met in
Manchester with Kevin, Dawn and Gordon – our new Trustee
from Scotland.
-
Anna Quelch
(England & Wales) Penny Kennedy (Northern Ireland & Eire) and
Ann Cowan (Scotland) all work so hard to help develop Smiles in their
regions and directly support you, our wonderful supporters on the ground.
If you haven’t spoken to your local DA recently, give them a call or drop
an e-mail to see what together to you can do for Smiles.
-
Also in January, we had
another ‘first’ in Romania. A week long visit from a team of young people
part of the
High Sheriff initiative
from Essex, England. Their special report can be seen on the site.
January has been a
very busy month for our Emergency Housing Unit which is full to capacity and
likewise, our Cihei Children’s Centre. Our newest arrival at CCC is 6
month old Diana. A tragic story and start in life. Diana’s mother was taken
to prison last week. The father was left to care for a 6 month old and keep
his job. He was desperate for help and pleaded with us to take the baby as
the State had no provision to assist him.
We were full – under staffed to cope with a 6 month old – but
‘Are We Not There to Deal with Emergencies?’
We believe so and even when the budget is exhausted, Jesus said “Let the
little children come unto me”. So we can’t say NO!
We have had to employ another carer for at least 4 hours a day, 7 days a
week because so many children at the Centre is too much for just two Carers.
And we’ve no Mission Trip visitors to help out this month!
We have stepped out in faith, believing you will
respond. Please support the
Cihei Children’s Centre with your
special gift and enable us to support little Diana and others as the
emergencies arise. (Because of Diana’s family circumstances, we are unable
to feature a full story on the web-site).
All the planning in January has
left us with a long ‘TO DO’ list for the weeks and months ahead.
In MARCH – Smiles
UK Conferences
& Open Days are booked:
Scotland (March 8th) Ireland (March 9th) and England &
Wales (March 15th)
Special Guests from Romania will include Guiry & Meda Rostas –
leaders of the Tileagd Gypsy Community. Dr Ema Buzle and Pastor Ovidiu
Butnaru as they all share the excitement and challenge of the Community
Complex completion and Opening of the Gymnasium, Medical Centre and Church.
Don’t miss the opportunity to attend – All are Invited – just let us
know your plan to come for catering purposes. E-mail or telephone us with
numbers attending.
In MAY – the 2008
Educational Challenge (25th
– 29th) is open to all in the Teaching Profession. As of writing,
9 places remain, so check out the report on the
2007 Challenge
and then book your place for this year.
In JUNE – the
GRAND OPENING
of the Tileagd Community Complex – a truly historical event
that we’d love you to be a part of. Book for the ‘Special Week-end’ or make
a full Mission Trip of it.
Along with all these special events –
Mission Trips swing into full
action from March. Already more than 400 visitors are booked in 2008, the
most we have ever experienced, but there is still room for more. Check out
the options for yourself, family, Church or School to Experience Romania.
E-mail or Call us for more information and a booking form.
So this month, along with all the news to check on, please stop a moment and
consider if you can help with an extra donation. Maybe a one-time gift,
please mail
it or telephone us to use a card or you can use PayPal on the website.
Maybe you could establish a monthly commitment to support one of the
projects -
A Family - Food - A Child - Medicine?
Maybe you could commit to organising a fund-raising event for Smiles to
continue its crucial work each and every day. Contact someone at a Smiles
office to tell us how you can help.
Thank you.
We need your help now as we attempt to Change the
World (for someone)!
|