Newsletter Winter 2004 / Spring 2005

Since the Summer/Autumn 2004 Newsletter we have had our AGM in Chatham, Kent and the first of our fund-rising events in Cheshire: a quiz-night in Delamere. During the summer holidays contacts were brought together in Italy where it is hoped to form a further group through our trustee Simonetta Fanelli. We are a small charity run entirely by volunteers. We are grateful to all our friends and sponsors who help us in our work. The need is still just as great and new sponsorship is always needed for fresh problems and new families, though we have been able to help in many ways due to regular sponsorship donations. We are also grateful for the pairs of spectacles which we continue to receive and which are arriving safely in Romania. Here is recent news of some of our families and their needs sent to us by Dana Stefan in Bucharest. Communication was difficult for a while following a fire at the flat above Dana’s. While waiting for the fire appliance, which took an hour to arrive, Dana’s husband and son battled to put out the fire and tried to save a husband and wife and their granddaughter. The grandfather perished in the fire. His wife is finding life extremely difficult. Details of all our families, all personally known to us, are available. We are happy to pass on any extra funds any time of year, such as at Christmas or for birthdays.
Cristina M’s mother died three months ago of cancer. The children are much better themselves and she is satisfied with her new family doctor. She has undergone tests and will receive appropriate treatment for her own cancer. Iacob A has been very happy to find that he will be having a sponsor for the medication in which he puts so much hope and trust. Florenta C’s son Radu is going to school and he is making progress despite his severe disability. Tereza C’s back pains are gone for now and she is keeping reasonably well despite her on-going osteoporosis and lupus syndrome, which brought her close to death before she found sponsorship through us. Silvia is continuing with her studies. Poznan V and his family’s problems are easier to bear. He is now helping the network and is very concerned for other families and is very generous of his time. Valentina has been sick and her daughter Ioana has been in a very poor way due to her serious condition caused by meningitis. There might be need of future medication. Florin M is fine despite being limbless and just like all the other members is wishing us all the best and good health. Emilia B is ill with kidney problems. Her daughter Minodora who has severe cerebral palsy is in need of vitamins. Her son Viorel, has schizophrenia and he cannot work anymore. He also needs help with vitamins. Zamfira G has two disabled sons, both on medication. Lucian (16) has severe behaviour difficulties and she would love a cassette player to provide soothing music. Mihaela’s HIV is stable and she is able to go to school.
Alin is not so fortunate. The treatment is not having the same spectacular results as before but he is stable and able to go to school. Anca, confined to a reclinable wheelchair provided by Network Gloria, has started in the 9th grade at the high school in Calarasi. Ionel M , blind and unable to walk, has serious pains in his joints and is feeling the cold of the approaching winter. He was one of our first members, but has no regular sponsorship. His heating system has failed and he is in urgent need of help. Claudiu B , though almost totally paralysed, now has some movement in his arm thanks to a physiotherapist. We are trying to raise funds for an electric wheelchair for him. His friend Ionut will be travelling to Bucharest for further treatment for his haemophilia. Sponsorship bought him life-saving drugs. Thanks to the same physiotherapist Ionut has been without crutches for two months. Unfortunately for health reasons he has had to give up his university course. Ovidiu, who has osteoporosis, needs a blood transfusion, iron treatment and vitamins (£10 per month). His mother, Mariana, who is ill herself, is comforted by Dana as much as she can, but Ovidiu is in need of regular sponsorship to make his life more bearable. Andreea P’s severe digestive problems have improved, thanks to medication and an improved diet. She is doing well at school. Unfortunately she has recently lost her sponsor. Camelia is fine and very busy trying to improve the lives of her neighbours and former pupils and trying to promote her town of Zimnicea. Mirabela, despite her ill health, is busy studying English at Bucharest University. The Mancas family report that their daughter’s HIV is under control. Carmen’s leaking roof has been repaired in time for the winter. Her family’s health has been greatly helped by sponsorship. Cristina F and her family are living in what looks like a cow shed with very little money coming in. We are replacing the roof. Cristina had a brain tumour in 1992 and was operated in 2001. She is severely disabled. Her mother found a way to give Cristina the very expensive medicine TEMODAL by going to the Fundeni Hospital. They need a monthly sponsor for vitamins (£10 per month). Scarlat’s movements have improved after two therapy sessions at Mangalia paid for by a donation. Melania and her two sons are doing well. Adrian’s son Vlad needs funding linked with a stomach operation in Berlin because of his spina bifida.

Events: 15th November 2004 Adrian Barbu represented us at the National Arts Therapy Conference in Sinaia. He and physiotherapist Gabi Petrut have been instrumental in setting up a centre for disabled children in Slanic Prahova. They will keep us informed of the work they and their colleagues achieve. Further news of the conference and centre will appear in a future newsletter and on our website.

27th November 2004 (Saturday) quiz night at All Saints Church Hall, Frindsbury, 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets (£4.00 per person) and further details from Janet 01634 715192. Raffle and sale of Christmas cards.

Easter trip to Romania departing from the Medway Towns, Kent. We are hoping to take goods such as incontinence pads, wheelchairs, orthopaedic equipment, exercise bikes, pushchairs/buggies and activities suitable for special needs children whether at home or in centres. Further details from Geoff Francis 01634 251267, Moira Dudney 01474 704559 or Janet Petch 01634 715192.

4th March 2005 (Friday) quiz night at the Community Centre, Delamere, Cheshire, 7pm for 7.30pm. Raffle. Tickets (£4.00 per person) and further details from Gloria and Robin 01829 752723.

Our families and committee thank all our supporters, friends and contacts and wish you all a Happy Christmas and all the best for 2005.