Due to a hacking attack on our email server we have had to suspend the use of our email addresses using the format “@roaf.org”. Please use the telephone numbers on our website until the email service is reinstated.
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Graham Howard stood down from his role as RoAF treasurer at the end of January. His contributions, over many years, have included co-ordinating the warehousing and transport arrangements at Billingshurst, plus a host of ‘behind the scenes’ inputs too numerous to list. Many, many people owe thanks to Graham (and Rosemary who let him do it all!) and the RoAF and AN teams add their thanks too. Apparently we haven’t seen the last of Graham – he will continue to contribute as time permits.
Our new treasurer is Craig Buchanan who lives in Horley and attends Reigate Baptist Church. Craig will be taking over the duties of treasurer whilst Brian Gawn will co-ordinate the Billingshurst warehouse activities and Steve Flegg will look after any administrative matters for the Horley team.
Responsibilities for RoAF’s activities in south and west Wales remain unchanged.
During 2018 Asociatia Neemia received over 70 tons of donated goods. About 95% of these items came via our teams in the UK and the rest was received from local sources in Romania. In terms of documentation and transport, once Romanian joined the EU in 2007 then the processes became quite simple: a brief listing of the lorry’s contents plus confirmation of donation and acceptance were all that was required.
Some of the goods received are turned into cash via AN’s shop in Dorohoi. This cash then provides a resource for helping people with essential expenditure – in some ways this form of donation is more important than the simple donation of the goods themselves.
The current confusion and uncertainty surrounding Brexit is causing some concern amongst our team in Dorohoi. What will change? Will we still be able to receive the aid? Will there be a return to the former arrangements, with the need for more detailed documentation, a Hungarian translation of the inventory and a customs inspector counting the load off the truck? They were stressful times for our warehouse managers and there is no enthusiasm for a return to the old regime.
Interactions between countries within the EU have changed a lot even since 2007, trade and travel have created a web of inter-dependency that cannot be easily broken. It may well be that the realities of commerce will achieve what political ambition has been unable to do.
We have seen God working in marvellous ways through RoAF and AN and, irrespective of the eventual outcome, we can have the confidence that He will not abandon those whom He has asked us to help.
This month’s featured photos
- Craig Buchanan.
- Brian Gawn.
- Steve Flegg.
Last month’s performance statistics
These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.
[table id=<2> /]
Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Value of stock includes items which have been used in AN projects but not yet written out of these accounts.
– Items marked as “?” are awaiting final returns for the month.
