The Romanian Aid Foundation & Asociatia Neemia

Packing continues, both in south Wales and in Horley; in Horley the team meets on the first and third Friday of each month. The scale of packing in the UK is less than in previous years but this makes the activity more manageable for our ageing teams. Nevertheless, 33 years after the first load, we continue to send good quality items to Romania.

By contrast, our team in Romania is as busy as ever; distributing food, donating clothing and household items, responding to requests for other help and managing Casa Neemia and its residents. Romania has one of the highest inflation rates in the EU, incomes are often low and there is a strong temptation for working-age people to seek a better life elsewhere, leaving the older folk without the traditional family support. As a result of these factors the number of people asking for help remains high.

Our pre-Easter food appeal at two local supermarkets was, again, well supported. We received food and household items worth about £5,500; this is in addition to the daily collection of short-time items which, for April, was valued at some £3,000 based on marked shelf prices. The short-time food includes meat and dairy products, which we distribute immediately, and surplus fruit and vegetables which are shared with families who visit the office.

This is the season for preparing our land for this year’s crops. The residents at Casa Neemia have been busy tilling the land and planting vegetables. Meanwhile, thanks to generous donor, another family has received a tank for conserving rain water for their summer crops.

A special consignment of educational materials for kindergartens was received recently, coinciding with the start of the summer term. As before, these materials will be shared between local kindergartens. First reports are that the children are delighted with the new items.

This Month’s Featured Photos

Preparing for the growing season: Repairing the rotavator … Investing in onions … Conserving rainwater

Distributing the donated food: A bag of goodies … Office visitor … A happy mum

New educational items: Handling the herd … Building their future … Getting in shape

Last Month’s Statistics

Awaiting preparation

This Month’s Prayer Notes

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Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

The packing team in Horley usually meets on the first and third Friday of each month but this month the third Friday is Good Friday, meaning that the team’s next packing session will be on 2nd May. Our packing teams, both in Horley and in south Wales, are getting older (and frailer!) but they remain enthusiastic – come and join them! The needs in Romania no longer have the public focus that they once had but there are still many households who are being left behind by progress elsewhere in the country. We are providing help of some sort to approximately 400 households on a regular basis.

We have finally been able to instal the second set of solar panels at Casa Neemia. These panels were donated to us but poor weather and a shortage of contractors delayed their installation. The panels will help to reduce the costs of providing accommodation at Casa Neemia and we hope that they will generate sufficient power to give a surplus which can be sold back into the grid.

Casa Neemia is now home to 15 people, both Romanians and Ukrainians. The latter are families from the area now dominated by Russia and include one disabled person who needs ongoing medical treatment. There is good co-operation between the two groups.

Our dedicated staff and volunteers have been able to help many people during the past few months. This help can be in the form of clothing and household items, sponsored payments for firewood or as part of the distribution of short-dated food from a local supermarket. In addition, we have been offered the opportunity to hold a pre-Easter appeal at two branches of the supermarket. The collection at Christmas was very successful and, at the time of writing, it looks as though this collection will enable us to help more people to enjoy Easter.

One factor that adds to household poverty is a tendency to low economic activity amongst those who should become the next generation of bread-winners. A recent report indicated that Romania holds the EU record for the highest number of pupils dropping out of secondary education prematurely. At the same time, some 25% of school-leavers do not find jobs, probably due to unrealistic expectations resulting from the prominence given to a number of ‘high-rollers’ on social media. It is likely that many of these young people will be tempted by what they perceive further west, thereby deriving the country of greater economic prospects. It was well said “The poor you will always have with you”.

This Month’s Featured Photos

Solar panel installion: Fiddlers on the roof … A dry-weather job … Drone view

Packing, ploughing and playing: Packers at work … Preparing for planting … What goes up

Sharing with others: Well-filled trolleys … A grateful family … A donation of mattresses

Last Month’s Statistics

Awaiting preparation

This Month’s Prayer Notes

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Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

It was with sadness that we learnt of the passing of Lesley Butcher last month. Lesley and her husband, Peter, were amongst the original members of the aid initiative that subsequently became the Romanian Aid Foundation. They were part of the first group to visit Dorohoi in 1994; Peter was one of the minibus drivers and Lesley oversaw the group catering (memories of frozen Jammie-Dodgers). Subsequently, Peter often drove one of the Royal Mail trucks whilst Lesley kept track of the loading, often staying up late to ensure that the paperwork was ready for departure day. She will be missed.

February was, as we have come to expect, the coldest month of the winter. A warmer-than-average January gave some relief in the costs of heating but February reminded us that spring is not yet here. Consequently, requests for help continue to keep us busy. Spring is on its way but the needs and requests for help still remain at the winter level for another month or so. We have been able to donate food to many people alongside the donation of clothing as usual.

We have been able to respond to requests for firewood, using stocks prepared in late autumn using specific sponsorships. Some firewood has been distributed to nominated households in accordance with our sponsors’ requests. Firewood is distributed about once a month to those registered for it, and the quantity should be sufficient for careful use in the typical single-room household.

We continue to receive food from a local supermarket. There is some work involved in collecting it but the quantity usually justifies the cost and time involved. The number of people asking for the food often exceeds the amount available each day.

Annual housing taxes (similar to ‘council tax’)are due this month and we have many requests for help with the bills. Unfortunately, our own rising costs mean that we cannot help as many people as we would like. Last year’s total for our premises (office, shop, Casa Neemia and warehouse) was approximately £3,000 and we anticipate that the figure will be higher this year. We continue to be grateful to our supporters who enable bills like this to be met without compromising our help for the most needy households.

This Month’s Featured Photos

Lesley Butcher: Checking a load … With the driving team … Creating memories

Aid Activities: Delivering firewood … Managing the food donations … Completing the paperwork

Last Month’s Statistics

Awaiting preparation

This Month’s Prayer Notes

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Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

We have continued to receive a good quantity of items suitable for sending to Romania and our small but enthusiastic teams have continued to ensure that the items that we send are prepared to a high standard. Whilst we no longer enjoy the excitement of loading full-size trucks we have found that sending small quantities more frequently means that we can continue to supply our colleagues with the items that they need in order to help the needy people that they deal with each day.

We are grateful for the continuity of support for our activities on behalf of the needy but we would appreciate more volunteers to help with preparing and packing the aid. In Horley our team meets on the first and third Friday of each month for packing (and coffee and cakes); you are warmly invited to join us.

In Dorohoi our shop offers good-quality items to the local community; items offered in the shop amount to approximately 8% by value of the goods received from the UK. Currently we have good stocks of seasonal clothing, both for donation and for sale. Historically, clothing suitable for winter wear has arrived in the Spring and clothing for the summer has arrived in the Autumn but, due to healthy stocks accumulated in previous years, we are able to ensure that the items on sale are appropriate to the season.

The town now has a number of outlets offering cheap clothing from the Far East and this provides some competition for our shop but rapidly rising costs of living mean that many people still find our items to be good value for money. There are costs incurred in operating the shop but proceeds from the sales continue to make a worthwhile contribution to AN’s activities.

Although January has been warmer than usual February is often the coldest month of the year in our area and there will be requests for help with gas bottles and firewood. Romania is experiencing one of the highest rates of inflation in Europe but we trust that rising costs will not compromise our ability to help those in need – we will continue to help whenever we can.

This Month’s Featured Photos

Packing is rewarding: Goods incoming … A busy team … A worthy reward

A glimpse into the shop: For winter days … From head to toe … For younger customers

Last Month’s Statistics

Awaiting preparation

This Month’s Prayer Notes

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Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

Once again the old year with its memories of difficulties and successes gives way to the new one – what challenges will it bring? Perhaps one of the few certainties of the new year is that there will still be needy people left behind by the progress being made in the wider society.

We will be endeavouring to help where we can but we too face challenges including an ageing team, changes in legislation and transport regulations, and competing interests. But such is the nature of an endeavour that relies on voluntary support and we take this opportunity to thank for your support thus far and look forward to the year ahead.

There was an excellent response to our pre-Christmas food appeal, resulting in some 3½ tons of food being received directly from the customers of three local supermarkets. This is different from our daily collection of short-time food in that the food has been purchased and donated by the customers themselves. The collection was undertaken in co-operation with the Centre of Hope and the food was shared between our respective beneficiaries.

Also during December we were able to have some more of the maize from the warehouse land milled into flour. Despite the poor growing conditions earlier in the year our land did produce a worthwhile crop which we can mill and distribute during the winter months.

Although our own Christmas gift box appeal now longer operates, we were invited by another charity to distribute some boxes at Christmas. We cannot satisfy all those who want them but we have chosen the most deserving cases.

Firewood is still the principal – often the only – means of heating and cooking for many of the people that we help. At the beginning of the month we were able to purchase and distribute several loads of wood using funds received specifically for that purpose.

Our staff have continued to work as a team, successfully managing a busy workload whilst themselves facing the challenges of health issues, rising costs and the wintry weather.

This Month’s Featured Photos

Food, flour and firewood: A full fridge … The dusty miller … Timber!

Sharing the donated food: visiting people in their homes … …

Christmas gift boxes: on behalf of another charity … …

Last month’s statistics

The monthly figures do not include food donations with a total value equivalent to GBP 4,690

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news:

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Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

It was the ‘end of a era’ as we dispatched the final lorry load from our Billingshurst warehouse. There were times when even this building was filled to the doors but circumstances evolve, the diversity of the needs is less than in earlier days and the regulations governing the import of goods have become more stringent. Together these changes mean that we no longer need the facilities of a large warehouse. However, we do intend to continue to collect, prepare and dispatch items which are still needed. There is an opportunity to send smaller loads more frequently, this will better suit our packing team – and our treasurer!

Our regular packing sessions at Horley Baptist Church have finished for this year – many thanks to all who donated or joined in the sorting, packing and dispatching the aid. We expect to resume packing on the 3rd and 17th January 2025.

It is now approaching 12 months since we started receiving short-dated foodstuffs from a local supermarket chain. This is produce that has been discounted in the store but has not sold before its sell-by date, meaning that it has to be distributed very quickly. Initially we received stock from two stores but July one of the stores arranged for another charity to share the items, meaning some relief for our staff. There is significant effort and expense on our behalf in collecting and documenting these donations but we do think that the benefit to needy households makes it worthwhile. The total retail value of items received to date is equivalent to over £85,000 or some £1,600 per week for the whole period to date.

In a separate initiative, before Christmas we will be participating in a collection directly from the shoppers; these items can be given to families who might not meet the stricter criteria for the main food distribution.

As we have come to expect, there were changes in the paperwork necessary for importing the recent load into Romania. With some effort we were able to satisfy the new requirements; this was helped by the excellent quality of the goods in the load and the way they were packed.

This Month’s Featured Photos

Sending …: Preparing the inventory … The end of an era … Leave only footprints

and Receiving: After customs inspection … The night shift at work … Safely in the warehouse

Preparing for distribution: Finishing the paperwork … Transfer to the office … Eager recipients

Last month’s statistics

The monthly figures do not include food donations with a retail value equivalent to £3,523

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news: November 2024

This Month’s Prayer Notes

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Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

RoAF will be relinquishing the lease on the warehouse at Billingshurst with effect from the end of this year. Changes in the procedures for transporting and importing aid mean that the facilities at the warehouse are no longer needed. Nevertheless, we will continue to prepare and send the more limited range of items that are still needed.

A final lorry from Billingshurst is being planned for 16th November, after which the team will concentrate on ensuring that the warehouse is in good order for the next occupiers. We are extremely grateful to the property’s owners for the ability to use the warehouse for some 15 years.

The prolonged warm weather has finally given way to wintry chills but we have managed to bring in our harvest in good time. The land at the warehouse yielded a better-than-expected crop of maize which will be milled as required during the coming months. Fortunately some residents of Casa Neemia were willing to lend a hand in getting the crop into sacks for storage.

The gardens at Casa Neemia were also very productive with a variety of vegetables including potatoes, tomatoes, carrots and a variety of herbs. Last month the residents prepared jars of ‘zacuscă’, a form of ratatouille, and this month two of our Ukrainian guests showed us how to preserve the carrots and green tomatoes for use during the winter months.

The donations of food from a local supermarket has continued and the items have been of considerable help to those who receive them. We have also received sponsorship for more baby milk, again gratefully received.

This month’s featured photos

A healthy diet: Harvesting maize … Preserving vegetables … Baby milk

Warehouse memories: Full to the door … Stacks of stuff … A well-deserved break

Last month’s statistics

The monthly figures do not include food donations with a total value equivalent to £4,557

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news: October 2024

This Month’s Prayer Notes

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Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

We have continued to receive healthy donations of clothing, bedding and other items, certainly enough to keep our packing teams occupied. We are working towards sending another consignment to Romania, probably in November. Once again, this will comprise a mixed load from Horley and from our team in south Wales.

In Romania we continue to help people in difficult circumstances but the level of desperation is not what it when we started thirty years ago. In previous years the main items for donation were clothing, bedding, household good and medical items. Now the short-time food from a local supermarket forms the major part of what we donate, certainly in terms of value. As circumstances change, the leaders of the two charities continue to review the focus of our activities, seeking to balance the available resources against the needs and opportunities.

With your help, in September we were able to distribute clothing and other items to over 200 people in Dorohoi and district; the average donation this month had a value of £5, giving a total of approximately £1,000. In addition we received short-dated food with a total retail value of around £4,400 from a local supermarket. Donation of this food is strictly monitored so that it does not compromise the trader’s normal sales.

As the war in Ukraine progresses to different areas so we receive more requests from people seeking a place of refuge. Some of our earlier guests have moved on to more permanent places and so we are able to continue to help others in this way.

The autumn season is upon us now, the distinctive colours are appearing even if the weather remains unseasonably warm. Now too is the time to start preparing for winter. One such preparation is the harvesting of the crops from our land; the maize crop was not good due to the lack of rain but good quantities of potatoes and other vegetables have been harvested at Casa Neemia. The current residents at Casa Neemia have been busy, harvesting and preserving the crops that they have grown together. In addition to a good quantity of potatoes they have also prepared a nutritious blend of tomatoes and peppers which will be a tasty addition to winter meals. One popular way of preserving our vegetables is shown in the photos below.

We are pleased to report that our old VW van has once again passed its annual technical inspection. At 23 years old it is not surprising that it requires a degree of ‘tender loving care’ but, despite that, it has continued to serve us well.

From time to time we receive visits from supporters who want to come and see for themselves how RoAF and AN are helping. These visits are encouraging, both for our team and for the people we help.

This month’s featured photos

Winter warmer: Tomatoes and peppers … Sterilisation … Bon appetit!

Encouraging visits: with Marcel … with Nicoleta … with Nadia

Last month’s statistics

The monthly figures do not include food donations with a total value equivalent to £4,416

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, September, 2024

This Month’s Prayer Notes

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Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

This month’s news

The Horley packing team has continued to meet on the first and third Fridays of each month; this year, due to a good quantity of donations, we continued through August without taking our usual break. Together with our colleagues in south Wales, we are assembling another load, hopefully for dispatch some time next month.

In Romania our team continues to keep in contact with families which we have helped previously. In many cases they no longer need the same level of support as before: this is a success and an encouragement for all those involved in providing the aid. By contrast, on a recent morning there were more than 10 people waiting at the office – other families taking the place of those who no longer ask for help.

In contrast to much of Europe, the drought conditions in north-east Romania have worsened during the past month, with a detrimental impact on food production and therefore higher prices. Home gardeners too are feeling the effects of the limited rainfall, with many having to collect water from the communal supply.

We have continued to receive short-dated food from a local supermarket chain. Another charity which cares for elderly people has joined the scheme and now receives part of the food; this has reduced the amount we receive to about £4,000 each month. This amount is easier to distribute whilst still providing a worthwhile amount of help for those in need.

We send best wishes to Ema, until recently our receptionist, who is getting married this month. Ema helped with the transition to the new statutory system of digital transaction records and we trust that she will settle well into her new life. Her duties are being covered by redeployment of the other staff together with help from two volunteers. One of them is a young man who has been helped a lot over the years and makes himself available for manual work; the other is a lady who lives adjacent to the office and enjoys the company each morning.

This month’s featured photos

The drought continues: The lake bed is dry … Our crops have suffered … Seeking refreshment

Revisiting old friends: A grateful mum … Reviving memories … Growing fast

Last month’s statistics

The monthly figures do not include food donations with a total value of £3,594

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, August 2024

This Month’s Prayer Notes

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Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

This month’s news

We have continued to receive a good quantity of donations in Horley and in south Wales. Consequently, the Horley team will not be taking a break from packing during the month of August as in previous years. However, we would appreciate a few more sorters and packers on the first and third Friday each month.

Feedback from Romania confirms that our items are still very much in demand, often to the point of people queuing at the office. Conversely, the widespread access to online shopping has meant that there is less demand for items from the shop, with a corresponding impact on revenue.

Recently, one of our Ukrainian guests at Casa Neemia went back home to sort out some paperwork. On her return she spoke about the stress of being in a war zone, with incoming missiles and corresponding air defences almost every night. She expressed her gratitude, once again, for having a place where she can feel secure. Of course, Casa Neemia was never envisaged as a refuge for those displaced by war. Nevertheless we are happy to provide them with this help and we are pleased by the way in which those for whom it was intended have accepted the newcomers into their midst. Once again, we are grateful for those whose generosity made Casa Neemia a reality.

Ill health has affected some of our AN team during the past month. Summer ailments are prevalent but COVID has not disappeared. Being in contact with callers at the office carries the possibility of infections of various types and we have adjusted working practices to reduce the risk.

This month’s featured photos

Asking and waiting are steps towards receiving:
A humble request … The waiting room … Mobile at last

The packing teams make good progress:
These boxes won’t stay empty for long … Bernie’s got it taped … A consignment awaits transport

Last month’s statistics

The monthly figures do not include food donations with a total value of £3,008

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, July 2024

This Month’s Prayer Notes

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Link to this month’s Prayer Notes