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The Irish &
Romanian Media focus on
The Smiles Foundation for an insight to the
Roma (Gypsy) Community from Tileagd |
|
 In
the midst of a busy summer as 233 guests to
Smiles Romania were
involved with numerous projects on Mission Trips – a story broke
concerning a settlement of Gypsies on the M50 roundabout in Ballynum,
Dublin.
When East European correspondent for the Irish Times checked
the World Wide Web for “Roma Tileagd” the search engine put The Smiles
Foundation at the top of the list.
In less than 24 hours, the reporter was in the Romanian office of
Kevin Hoy, Smiles Chief Executive and the beginning of 4 days of Media
Frenzy had started.
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After 6 hours with the correspondent at Smiles HQ in Cihei and then in
Tileagd, the reporter had a story that some what differed from the
reports being given in Dublin. His reports can be read in the
Irish
Times and the
English Guardian: |
Irish Times Article - word doc
Irish Times - Letter from Tileagd - word doc
Guardian Article - word doc
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Before the reporter had left Romania, NewsTalk
Radio from Dublin had set an interview with
CEO, Kevin Hoy for the
following morning ‘Breakfast Show’.
A Press Conference had also been set for the following day at
10am. Bihor County Prefect Traian Abrudan
would lead the Conference –
to be held at The Smiles Foundation’s new Community Complex in Tileagd
– flanked by Kevin Hoy for Smiles and the
Mayor of Tileagd Gheorjhe
Groza who were each to address the awaiting press.
 Television
cameras from RTE Dublin and Romanian national and local stations
attended as well as numerous newspapers also from Ireland and Romania.
Following a successful News Conference – Kevin returned to Cihei for
further Radio interviews with RTE Radio Dublin, followed by an update
for NewsTalk on their lunchtime News programme.
That evening, Kevin spoke with ‘TodayFM’ live on their
‘Last Word’
programme concerning the on-going situation.
He thought that was it, but then BBC Ulster in Belfast called
for an interview that was scheduled for 6.10pm locally.
Apart from some possible ‘follow-up’ – we hope the initial frenzy has
now past. We have for too much work to do in Romania to be spending so
much time with the Media – but we were of course pleased and honoured
to be such a fundamental help to establishing a balanced truthful view
of the situation facing the Roma community of Tileagd.
Our
Press Release
was
issued on July 24th 2007 after the ‘Breaking News’ story
happened on the situation in Dublin.
Our final word on the subject at this time is as follows:
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 Issued
July 31st 2007 by Kevin D. Hoy
Chief Executive, The Smiles Foundation.
The Roma (Gypsy) people of Romania do generally
live difficult, hard lives – certainly this is true for those that The
Smiles Foundation attempts to support and has done so for the past 6
years.
However, it is important to note that difficult, hard lives are not
reserved exclusively for the Roma people of Tileagd. Thousands across
Romania and many parts of Europe face similar circumstances and not
just the Roma people. Many Romanians and Hungarians living in Romania
face just as difficult circumstances, some much worse.
(See Mission Trip Project in Uileac)
From the Foundation’s prospective – Romania is a
poor, developing nation and its people need help to survive the
day-to-day pressures on family life while the country, with help from
the European Union, attempts to improve conditions and infrastructure,
build an economy that can better meet its obligations and
responsibilities to the poor and oppressed within its nation.
The Smiles Foundation, as an independent NGO (Non-Government
Organisation) inspired and motivated by the Love of God for all
people, is reaching out to assist all in need – regardless of race,
creed or religion. The Smiles Foundation is supporting in areas of
Family assistance with Food, Medication and Social help as well as
major projects in Housing, Child Care, Education, Social and Spiritual
development.
Our projects can be seen on this site or at any time in Romania by
contacting any one of our
offices
to make
arrangements.
The Smiles Foundation receives no financial
assistance from Governments, European Union or Social funds for its
work – but instead receives close to £1 million / $2 million a year
from individuals across the world who want to be a ‘Good Neighbour’.
The Smiles Foundation is a professional, efficient and quite possibly
‘unique’ facility through which to channel your support.
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 The Prefect of Bihor County in Romania,
Traian Abrudan stated this week in the Romanian press:-
“The Gypsy children learn in very good
conditions. A project of The Smiles Foundation is helping over 80
children, Gypsy & Romanian, from Tileagd community –offering them,
Clothes, Food, Scholarships and Books. The children are involved in
outside activities such as the School Choir and Dance team who visit
UK and America each year”
The Mayor of Tileagd, Gheorjhe
Groza,
stated in the Bihorian Journal this
week:-
“Many Foundations are living well because of the
money raised for Roma projects. They do lots of paper work but very
few actions. In Tileagd, The Smiles Foundation is different, the Roma
people are assured of great facilities in the school with food and
showers for keeping clean.”
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