2001 Aid Trip

Tile Project

County Project

New ARC Apartment

Easter 2001 Aid Trip Report

CASA DE COPI, BEIUS

In the last twelve months there have been a number of changes most of which have had a positive effect on the well being of the children from Casa de Copi. Due to changes made by the Department of Child Protection the number of children in Beius orphanage has decreased to 167. This is due to some children with special needs being moved to Popesti a special needs school, which can hopefully cater for their needs.
We arranged a meeting with Mrs. Barsan the Director of Child Protection and who is in charge of all orphanages in the Bihor County and she informed us of more recent changes.
One being that the government has increased the amount of money the orphanage receives for each child. Because of this increase in allowance the Department are expecting the orphanage to be able to manage the food bills, which we have always supplemented. We have asked whether this can be monitored, as we would not wish any children to suffer after all the efforts of ARC into ensuring a healthy diet. We will continue with the special days throughout the year for example presents at Christmas, children’s day and our Easter Aid trip complete with personal presents. We have then decided to support the department in using the rest of the funds in the future to achieve the long-term aim to CLOSE ALL STATE ORPHANAGES in Bihor and replace them with family homes of up to ten children and a qualified carer. This is a huge but not impossible task to take on and the thought of one day the big, old, Victorian building that these children call home will no longer exist..

CREATING JOBS IN BEIUS

In September, A.R.C. purchased two table-top roof tiling machines, complete with moulds. These machine’s have created employment for three young people who are being supervised by the Good Samaritan project. A charity named Habitat for Humanity which builds homes for the needy supplied the materials for them to start producing and have a requirement for approx 20,000 tiles per year. In the future the Good Samaritan hope to sell these tiles to the local community to raise funds for other ongoing projects with the Street Children.

OUR FIRST DAY BACK IN BEIUS

After spending our first day travelling to Beius via Brussels and Budapest with a six-hour minibus journey into Romania, the team were tired but keen to get to the orphanage early to see the children. This being Sarah’s first time in Romania she was a little anxious, as she didn’t know what to expect.
On our walk into the village from the hotel/petrol station to the bank I realized I had forgotten how different everyday life in Romania is from home. It is almost like being in a time warp with old cars (the good old Dacia making up 95% of them) and horse and carts being the main mode of transport, with the odd old man on his battered bike with shoes made of used car tyres.
After a quick stop at the newly refurbished bank, now complete with a hole in the wall, we headed to the orphanage where we were greeted with dozens of hugs, happy smiles and ‘how are you?”s
As the directors sat in meetings with the principal of the orphanage, the rest of the team spent a few hours with the children, catching up on lost time.
We were shown some of the new classrooms that had been refurbished since last year, funded by ARC. The team, children and staff at the orphanage were delighted with the change in these rooms. Each child had their own cupboard to store their books and locker for personal items and clothes. Each bedroom also contained fewer children, each with a maximum of 8-10 children.
In the evening we took the first group of children from the orphanage to the local restaurant which the team call “pizza” as most of us only venture as far as pizza and chips on the menu. The children were all very excited and munched their pizza and chocolate bars up extremely quickly, with some saving some, which they wrapped up and kept under their pillows for the next day!
The children were taken back to the orphanage for 9pm allowing time for the team to eat as some had not eaten since 8am that morning. We then retired after a long first day knowing that tomorrow would be busy with unloading the trailer.
By Emma Dougherty

UNLOADING OF THE TRAILER

Today is one of the busiest days when we unload the trailer. The lorry arrived at 9.30am to the loud cheers of the children. There was a lot of excitement around all morning and many of the “copi” helped with the unloading. The aid is carried into the store where a member of social services records it. All the personal presents and shoebox gifts were stored in a separate room, which would be given to the children personally by the team. Later in the day Anne, Emma and myself sorted the shoebox presents that we would be taking to an orphanage in Tinca as we would have an early start the following day. At lunchtime we were invited to Florica Fulias house who is a member of staff from the orphanage. Every year we have a beautiful lunch there, typical Romanian hospitality! The evening was spent hairdressing with some of the young girls from Casa de Copi – tints all around including the floor!!!!
By Elizabeth Dougherty

ARC EASTER 2001 TEAM

Directors :
Mervyn Dougherty, Frank Higginson, Anne Meaney, Chris Meaney

Team :
Christopher Dougherty, Elizabeth Dougherty, Emma Dougherty, George Creighton, Louise Creighton, Clare Higginson, Mandy Kilpatrick, Clare Meaney, Tom Meaney, Sarah Thompson

Drivers :
Ray Clare, John Williams

STENA DE VALE

This year we decided to have a day out with fifty plus children from the orphanage to spend some quality time with them. We left Beius in a coach, which was bursting at the seams, as there does not seem to be any restrictions on how many passengers are allowed. Stena de vale is approx thirty minutes from Beius up in the mountains. Last year there was still a lot of snow, which resulted in many, snow fights but unfortunately this year there was only small sights of remnant snow.
We all enjoyed a singsong on the bus as we all got into the spirit of fun and excitement that such a trip brings.
When we arrived it was decided there would be a football match Romania versus UK with UK losing miserably by 11-1.
Tom Meaney when asked why they were beaten by so many says It was all the oldies on our side who couldn’t keep up” He could have been right considering the injuries sustained and the aches the next morning. Chris and Mervyn were both limping with sore knee and ankle, and Frank was feeling bruised, but the kids had a great time!
We then went for a walk, past the spring where people fetch bottles to fill and then take home. It was soon time to eat as the fresh air gave us an appetite, so we headed up to the restaurant area where we had pre booked a meal and drinks. After we were all fed and watered we moved into the reception where some of the team did face painting with the children.
It was now time to go home with plenty more singing and a few tired faces.

HOSPITAL IN ARAD AND TINCA ORPHANAGE
Our schedule today included two special trips: one to see Dr.Lucan formerly of the Dystrophic Hospital for sick children, now based at the General Hospital Arad, followed by an orphanage in Tinca, which is approx 15miles from Beius.
Over the last year the situation in Arad has changed dramatically. The dystrophic hospital was taken over by the social services so some staff and children were transferred to the hospital. Although in today’s world the reasons behind this change is understandable in as much as equipment and skills are concerned it has caused many problems for Dr. Lucan. One such problem is that space is at a premium and at either end of the scale the implications are apparent: - from the lack of a play area inside and outside to stimulate the children, as developed in the Dystrophic Hospital to the other end of the scale – care of children with contagious diseases being provided under the same roof and worse still, with up to five children in a bed.
Although we cannot help with the problem lack of space brings our aid really does improve the standard of care provided. Dr. Lucan and the staff were delighted with the help brought this year.
As we were shown around the wards we looked on as premature and ill babies were being treated with equipment that has not been used at home for many years- the impact of which many children die who should not – and when we watched a father carry his dead child from the hospital we found it very difficult to take in the needless reality facing many Romanian families today.

We arrived at Tinca in the afternoon with presents for the 90 children 39 of these with special needs and handicaps. Tinca is a lot smaller than Beius and the children are based in smaller units / groups. The style it uses is indicative of the way ahead for other orphanages and yet it still needs our support. As many readers know we currently organize the sponsorship scheme in such a way that an individual child gains by knowing that someone cares for them, through letters, cards, presents etc – while all the children in the orphanage benefits as the money is used collectively to improve their standard of living.
Today Frank took individual photographs of each child and the excitement on their faces at the thought of having a sponsor reminded me of all the reasons why I come to Romania each year. Everything we do, no matter how small, can and does make such a difference to someone else’s life.
By Mandy Kilpatrick

PERSONAL PRESENTS and SHOEBOXES

Sunday was a busy day, which included distributing personal presents, shoebox presents and a visit to the general hospital in Beius.
As Elizabeth, Emma and Anne had already sorted the presents into group numbers we didn’t have such an early start to the day, which enabled some of us to enjoy a much needed extra hour in bed.
We split up into groups and headed off to the group rooms armed with presents, Easter eggs and bottles of perfume which the children boys and girls alike love. As this is my first time in Romania I didn’t know how the children would react. For me it will always be a special memory seeing the children so happy taking out and exploring the ‘treasures’ in the shoe boxes, which now belonged to them. By lunchtime, with every child happy looking at their presents we went for a much longed for rest and drink in preparation for the afternoon.
After lunch the children were given their personal presents from their sponsors on a one to one basis to enable us to take photographs and let them take their time. The children were so happy with the many clothes and gifts they received and there were also a few emotional tears. Sometimes the most important things in the boxes are the personal photos and letters from their sponsors, which the children had translated for them.

We then headed to the hospital in Beius where we had been told a boy named Rudi Geza from the orphanage had been admitted so we took his present from his sponsor with us. Imagine his surprise when the whole team arrived and also the added bonus of a present. The children just sit there all day without the normal things we would expect at home like magazines, sweets, drinks, pens and paper to stop the boredom. Following a guided tour of the hospital we were able to hold a few newborn babies.
In the evening we were invited to Florica and Mircea Arion’s for dinner. This was my first taste of true Romanian hospitality. The dinner was very enjoyable, all but the ‘eggplant’ experience!!!!!!!!
By Sarah Thompson

ARC PURCHASES A SECOND FLAT

ARC purchased its first flat in 1998 consisting of one room, a bathroom and a kitchen. Since then Mandrut, Feri and Nicolae have shared this accommodation. The flat needed some repairs to keep it dry and also a sober fire was installed for warmth in the winter. This has become home to the boys after they were made to leave the orphanage and spent some time living on the street, so even though small and basic it means a lot.
Because of the success of the first flat and also the need of other children we finalized the purchase of our second flat at Easter. As we were leaving to come home Irina, Maria and Rosie were moving in. This flat is in better condition than the first and is only in need of heating before the winter.
We hope that this will give all these young adults a helping start for their future.

MATERIAL ITEMS MAYBE IMPORTANT BUT NOTHING CAN COMPENSATE FOR FAMILY LIFE

Today I went to a place called Dragnesti to visit a family I had never met before so I was quite nervous. The reason why I was visiting was the family has fostered the little girl Adriana who I have sponsored for two years. They have also fostered Adriana’s younger sister Christina, and a little boy Radu who came from the orphanage too.
She was so excited to see me and I was so happy to see her looking so well having grown quite a lot and gained some weight since I last saw her. The family she lives with have three sons and a daughter themselves so there are now seven children in the house. The family welcomed me and made me feel at ease. I spent the afternoon playing games with all the children and then we went for a walk in nearby fields and around the village. Adriana seems so settled with her new family, she is happy, confident, and a lot calmer and is doing really well at school. I was miserable when it came time to leave but knowing she was being well cared for made it a bit easier. The family have invited me to stay with them anytime I like, so I intend to keep in touch possibly in the summer. Until then I will keep in touch by letter.
By Clare Meaney

DR.RAMONA

I met Ramona a newly qualified doctor in September and after hearing her story felt this was a perfect and worthwhile project for us to get involved with. Ramona was offered the position of GP in the village where she lives after qualifying in the main city of Oradea. The only GP currently in Popesti is an over retirement age doctor, set in his ways and not looking for any changes. This resulted in a court case to enable Ramona access to the three rooms that were to be her clinic. The three rooms were in appalling condition and had been vandalized. When I was there she had been helped by her father to purchase some tiles for two rooms floor and walls. She would now have to wait for any medical equipment and essentials for it to be ready for use as a surgery. With a budget of approx fifty pounds a month this was going to take some time. (This money included her salary).
With no tools to do her job, she spent her time teaching health care at local schools. With a population of about 4,000 the villagers were very much in need of a young, modern and caring doctor and looked forward to the time when they would have a choice.
After contacting the other directors from ARC we made a decision to donate three hundred pounds for her to purchase much needed equipment. Mike my son went shopping for the items and couldn’t believe how much she was able to purchase for what was relatively a small amount of money. As Ramona said in her thank you letter it would have taken her ten months to purchase these items for herself.
Through very generous donations from our sponsors we were then able to provide medical equipment beyond her wildest dreams. This is now going to enable her to administer the health care that she has trained so long for. Ramona has a determination to achieve what she believes in and is not prepared to just sit and complain but is happy to work hard for it.
After a look at the aid which was delivered we were invited by the family for a drink and a snack in their home. We arrived to find a table laden with food and a drink, which we enjoyed very much, served with true Romanian hospitality.
By Anne Meaney

GOOD SAMARITAN

We started Friday with an unusual ease as we were ahead of schedule having equipped the hospital the previous late afternoon with medical equipment.
At 1.00pm Adrian arrived at the orphanage with his pick up truck to collect the aid from ARC for the Good Samaritan project which looks after the street children (some of the older children who have left the orphanage) which is partly funded by ARC.
At 2.30pm Adrian took us to their latest project a new restaurant in which he plans to employ 8 – 10 young adults, serving and cooking for the local community. The restaurant will also provide a place for youngsters who are involved in the Good Samaritan project a place to eat and a decent meal each day. Adrian’s huge efforts and ambitious outlook for these young people is to be admired and we wish him every success in his new venture.
We were then taken to the Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build site which started three years ago and is now fully occupied by families with different needs. They pay on average thirty-six dollars per month mortgage (30 year term) for the home, which is basic in our terms but a luxury for a Romanian family. The homes are warm and comfortable and unlike any homes the village has seen before.
Late afternoon the team visited the second ARC flat purchased this year. Our plan is to house three to four girls here under supervision of Adrian (Good Samaritan) probably those who will be employed in the restaurant previously mentioned.
The evening was rounded off with an invitation by ARC to eat at pizza to repay the hospitality afforded us by Adrian and his team from Good Samaritan.
Later in the week we were invited to make a presentation to some of the young people from Good Samaritan. Each year ARC takes new washing machines, fridges, cookers etc as an incentive for these young people. If they manage to hold down employment for a full year they are rewarded with one of these appliances.
The presentation was very touching as the youngsters showed how grateful they were for these items which we take for granted. It was a great honor to be part of this successful organization and see these youngsters on their paths to independence.
By Mervyn Dougherty

GIFT AID

The government has changed the way it pays back tax on donations and sponsorship to charities. In the past it required a Deed of Covenant signed so the charities could claim the tax back on all donations and sponsorship. Now the government has made it easier and the one Gift Aid form covers all claims. If you wish to make a donation or are sponsoring a child or would like to sponsor a child would you please make sure you have filled in the Gift Aid form available from Mervyn Dougherty Tel: 02892648419.

Without the support of many companies, individuals, organisations and others, we would not have been able to have had such a successful Aid Trip. Thank you !