HEAL Romania Newsletter Winter 2009
I would like to thank all of our sponsors and supporters for helping us have such a fantastic 2008. There were three trips to Bucharest and from that our supporters from Balcarras school have been busy fundraising and sharing the work of HEAL Romania. We raised more money than ever thanks to the generous giving from friends and family for Leanda’s and Megan’s milestone birthdays recently. Ana Doina, our Romanian social worker has had great success with each of our families in Romania and so this newsletter is full of good news. Thank You!
Mariana
Mariana used to live with her husband and three children in a wooden shack hidden in a field. Eventually we found a woman who had two spare rooms in her house that were very run down. After a lot of renovations the family moved in at the end of the summer. Ana Doina rallied around with her friends to gather furniture, blankets, clothes and kitchen utensils. She visits them in their new home every week to take food and medicine. The family are very happy here. The children have a garden area to run around in and Mariana and Ionut have bought chickens and a pig. The trustees had just agreed to close this case when Ionut was arrested for non payment of taxes and imprisoned for three years. This means that the family cannot support themselves without his wages. HEAL Romania will therefore continue to support Mariana until he is released.
Sluser Family
There are 7 members in the Sluser family and last year they all lived in one room. In the summer they built an extra room and the kitchen with the help of HEAL Romania. These rooms are now finished and the family are putting forward an application to have electricity. We are hoping this will be done by Easter. HEAL Romania also provides food, clothing, footwear, school supplies and counselling for this family.
Cadar Family
In February we helped this family to buy construction materials to make their house more stable as it was made of mud and was about to cave in. The mother supports three children, one of whom is disabled. They have finished painting the house and they continue to receive food, clothing and footwear.
Popa Family
In October we met a boy called Laurentu. He lives with his alcoholic grandparents and six other members of the extended family in two rooms. It was his birthday during our visit and so we took him to a toy shop and to a soft play area. He told me that it was the best day he had ever had. Since our visit in October Ana Doina visits the family regularly and they receive food, clothing and footwear from HEAL Romania. Laurentu’s parents are in prison but Ana Doina takes him to visit them. We are currently assessing what we can do for Laurentu.
Building
Last summer the mayor of Popesti offered HEAL Romania a building that we could se to open a day centre and a night shelter. Unfortunately since then he has been very difficult to contact. He is meeting with the town council next month and he has promise to discuss the matter at this meeting. Please pray for this because we are concerned that he may not follow through with his promise.
Fundraising
13th March - skittles night at the Merryfellow from 7:00pm
13th March - Simon will be talking at St Edwards school
23rd April - Karen will be talking to Balcarras school
10th May - Leanda will be talking at St Mary’s church in Charlton Kings
We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has already supported us and who continue to support us. Your help really does make a huge impact on the lives of those in Romania.
