The Romanian Aid Foundation & Asociatia Neemia

As has been the case in the previous couple of years in the Dorohoi area, a relatively mild and benign January has been followed by a capricious February. Blizzards, high winds and temperatures of -15C tend to hide the green shoots that are harbingers of Spring. Similarly, the disruptions and challenges of both COVID and Brexit have tended to mask the small steps that we are able to make towards helping those in need.

Nevertheless, we have continued to provide those in need with clothing from stocks retained for the winter and some food purchased locally thanks to the receipt of funds for this purpose. We have also been able to provide some furniture, much of which had been passed onto us as surplus to another organisation’s requirements. There are still constraints on person-to-person contact but donations can still be made via the office or direct delivery to people at home. These working conditions can become tedious and tiring for our team but they have continued to work with enthusiasm. Masks and disinfectant are still necessary but this is not entirely a bad thing; certainly it has encouraged a level of hygiene which may have been unfamiliar to some of our visitors previously!

In due course, the opportunities for employment in construction and agriculture will return, allowing some people to obtain an income or start to grow food again. The warmer weather will also reduce the number of calls for help with fuel bills and requests for firewood.

AN has received the first stage of official approval to continue to receive goods from the UK on a charitable basis, but each load will require further documents and approval. This is basically a return to a situation similar to that before Romania joined the EU in 2007, but simplified a little by the introduction of electronic communications. We trust that it will work well in practice. In the UK, RoAF has obtained the necessary registration for exporting goods but each load will require further documentation, and a higher degree of coordination between the various groups preparing the goods will be necessary. We have two further centres for collection of aid for Dorohoi in Swansea and Lampeter. Both these will have to have the same documentation when loading their lorries and use the RoAF EORI registration. The way the aid is packed and documented will need to be the same for all three centres from now on.

The Horley team does not anticipate resuming collections, packing and sorting until later in the year. However a lot of work is being done toward preparing the goods that we have already, including weighing and marking the hundreds of boxes which did not leave before January 1st. After our next lorry, which we hope to send by June 2021, we will be more certain that our packing method and documents are good. However, it seems likely that the diversity of goods in each load may have to be limited. We have to emphasize that we cannot accept any more items until we have clarified the process of preparing the new paperwork.

In south Wales, where the regulations differ from those in England, operations have not returned to their previous levels but we endeavour to maintain a near-normal service within the rules of Covid. More materials are arriving but the condition of the warehouse is a cause for concern; hopefully it will dry out now the winter is passing.

As part of our tithing of RoAF’s resources, we have been able to help a medical initiative in Arad. ASPA One Life works with the established services to provide emergency responses, first-aid and health education. See the Facebook page under the title of ‘ASPA One Life’ for information from that charity.

This month’s featured photos

• family box
• classroom furniture
• food and clothing

–
––

Photo Gallery: Click on any of the photos for enlargements, more details or similar photos.


The need to comply with social distancing and health protection measures means that the preparation of our news updates has been adversely affected; in particular in the number of photos that we can take and in keeping up-to-date with our donation statistics. Normal service with be resumed – but when?

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.

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, February 2021

In the UK, ongoing restrictions mean that we are not yet able to resume activities such as collections and packing in Horley. This also means that we cannot resume warehouse activities in Billingshurst. Activities in south Wales are similarly subject to local restrictions. We are actively working through the necessary export procedures in anticipation of sending a lorry after Easter but it is likely that the range of items will be more limited than before. We have withdrawn our previous list of priority items and will compile a new one once there is more clarity over what can be accepted.

In most years January is not a particularly news-worthy month. That does not mean that nothing happens but that the activities are largely part of our ordinary routines. There is little to be done on our various plots of land and no construction projects; the main activities are the donation of aid at the office and the distribution of firewood. We received a part-load which left the Isle of Man just before the end of last year and we still have stocks of clothing and other items which should be sufficient to allow us to continue helping the most needy until the transport situation becomes clearer. A very high proportion of households in this area need firewood for home heating and, in some cases, cooking. We have access to a limited supply of firewood and this is shared amongst the most needy families.

This year there has been the added complication of anti-virus measures to be observed. This has placed additional pressures on our staff, some of whom have been affected personally, and we are thankful that they have been able to adapt to the restrictions and continue to work with a positive attitude. We are encouraged, too, by the expressions of support from the UK.

A major preoccupation this month has been trying to find out the new procedures for the import of aid from the UK. This is new territory both for us and for many of the customs officers. In particular, we anticipate much greater scrutiny of what constitutes ‘aid’ items and the possibility that some items may be liable to import taxes.

This month’s featured photos

• sponsored boxes
• new boots
• firewood distribution

Photo Gallery: Click on any of the photos for enlargements, more details or similar photos.

The need to comply with social distancing and health protection measures means that the preparation of our news updates has been adversely affected; in particular in the number of photos that we can take and in keeping up-to-date with our donation statistics. Normal service with be resumed – but when?

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.

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, January 2021

The need to comply with social distancing and health protection measures means that the preparation of our news updates has been adversely affected; in particular in the number of photos that we can take and in keeping up-to-date with our donation statistics. Normal service with be resumed – but when?

Current restrictions mean that we will not be able to resume person-to-person activities in Horley and Billingshurst such as collections and packing whilst they are in force. This also means that we cannot resume warehouse activities in Billingshurst. Restarting later in February will be dependent upon restrictions in force at that time.
Activities in south Wales are similarly subject to local restrictions.
Click here for the current UK news.

2020 may have gone but its effects will continue to be felt for some time to come. Many people doing “non-essential” jobs have found their income has shrunk dramatically but at the same time there have been some very significant rises in the cost of living.

Despite the difficulties, the AN team has continued to function and has provided help to needy people in this area. In 2020 as a whole, we made some 3,200 donations of clothing and other goods to 950 separate households. These donations had a total UK equivalent value of £56,000. These donations have included a variety of primarily food items which have been obtained locally. These opportunities for co-operation with other local organisations have meant that we have not been wholly dependent upon deliveries from the UK.

Financial assistance has continued but on a very limited scale as the income from the shop is also very low and we can help only the most deserving of cases. Extra sponsorship from the UK has been received for specific families and for general expenditure, and we are very grateful for this help.

This month’s featured photos

• A gift of happiness
• A gift of essentials
• A gift of warmth
• Christmas gifts

––

Photo Gallery: Click on any of the photos for enlargements, more details or similar photos.

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.

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, December 2020

 
The chilly winter weather that, in a normal year, we would have expected a month ago has now arrived. As we all know, this has not been a normal year and many of our usual activities have had to be stopped or modified to meet the changing health advice. Nevertheless, our core team has managed to continued to provide help to the most needy in Dorohoi and areas further afield.

We are very grateful for an unexpected part-load from the south Wales team. It was a new experience for them to use a commercial carrier rather than Richard’s dedicated trailer, but it has turned out well. This load comprised eight pallets of clothing plus some other items, and is a helpful addition to our winter stocks. We anticipate one more load, from Billingshurst, before Christmas – that, of course, is subject to the vagaries of the weather and any restrictions on loading activities.

The stock in the shop has finally been changed from items suitable for autumn to those required for winter. At present, the shop is allowed to keep trading and provides an essential trickle of income for us.
The colder weather has brought an increase in the number of requests for firewood and we have been able to help several families in this way. Several young men from Casa Neemia have kept themselves warm by helping to prepare and deliver the firewood.

We understand that the number of Christmas gift boxes will be much lower than normal. This will place additional pressures on those who have to decide who will receive them – not an easy task when supplies have been much more generous in previous years and expectations may not be met.
 

 
We have had an urgent appeal for redundant smart phones. Many school children in rural areas do not have access to suitable equipment to receive their lessons online. If you have upgraded your smart phone then please consider donating the old one – they need to be in good working order, and be capable of running educational apps but we do not need the SIM cards. Please make sure that all personal data has been removed!

The need to comply with social distancing and health protection measures means that the preparation of our news updates has been adversely affected; in particular in the number of photos that we can take and in keeping up-to-date with our donation statistics. Normal service with be resumed – but when?

This month’s featured photos

• Maize from our land to be milled into flour for donation
• Donations of firewood
• Unloading, 25/Nov/2020

Photo Gallery: Click on any of the photos for enlargements, more details or similar photos.

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.

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 2020

As a consequence of the lockdown restrictions announced for England this week all sorting and packing activities by the Horley team have been suspended including the Saturday packing at the Billingshurst warehouse and the use of the clothing deposit boxes. Activities are expected to resume in the new year.

The return of colder wet weather, coupled with a widespread laxity about spreading diseases in general has meant an increase in the numbers of infections in this area. The usual seasonal ailments have returned but COVID remains the most serious. Priests, medics, teachers, local leaders – no group seems to be without its victims.

In addition to the demands on medical services we can also see strains on commercial and family life. For those for whom life was difficult previously, the onset of winter only adds to their problems. Rising prices for food and fuel can leave families defaulting on their bills whilst, at the same time, the reductions in AN’s resources mean that we cannot help as many as we might previously have done. Nevertheless, we have been able to acquire some food and firewood from local sources and together with the food and clothing from the UK we have been able to limit the number of people who leave our office empty-handed.

The maize harvest this year has been of poor quality. The growing season started with a drought and remained dry almost until the time for harvest. This maize will not produce good quality flour and the crop will be used mainly for feeding cattle and domestic fowl.

In past years we have received, typically, nine loads of aid. So far this year we have received only four and it now seems possible that there may be no more until next Spring. In this context we are extremely grateful for the load which arrived from south Wales at the end of October. This will supplement our stock of warm clothing and bedding that we are able to distribute from the office. At this time of year, too, the stocks of knitted garments and blankets prove to be well appreciated and we pass on our gratitude to those whose dexterity has brought comfort to those in need.

The need to comply with social distancing and health protection measures means that the preparation of our news updates has been adversely affected; in particular in the number of photos that we can take and in keeping up-to-date with our donation statistics. Normal service with be resumed – but when?

This month’s featured photos

• October’s load
• Warm clothing and knitwear stocks replenished
• The maize harvest

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.

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 2020

The load which was ready to go in March left the warehouse in south Wales on 18th sept. and arrived in Dorohoi the following week. These are times of change and uncertainty but we trust that 2021 will bring more order to our desire to help the needy of this part of Romania.
The Horley team is still planning to send a pre-Christmas load in mid-November, subject to whatever restrictions apply at that time.

We are grateful to both Richard and Russ for their recent visits to Dorohoi, which have bought a fresh variety to the items that we have been able to offer to those who ask for help. Social contact restrictions are still very much in force and this has had an effect on how we can interact with those who come to the office. Visitors must remain outside (thankfully the weather still allows this) and they are served through the door. The necessary documentation is photographed, rather than being handled directly, and then the information is transcribed to our records. The face-to-face interviews with our social assistant have been suspended until such time as the current restrictions can be relaxed.

Funding from the UK has been used to replace the roof on the warehouse. We had hoped to do this earlier in the year but experienced workers were not available. The new roof uses a much more resistant material and should put an end to the need for strategically-placed drip trays on the upper floor.

Temperatures have remained higher than what is considered normal for this time of year but it is clear that winter is coming. A large proportion of rural houses are still heated with wood but firewood continues to become increasingly expensive and difficult to acquire. We have obtained a stock from a legitimate source and this will be shared with those families most in need. However, the restrictions also mean that it is extremely difficult to find someone to actually cut the wood!

The need to comply with social distancing and health protection measures means that the preparation of our news updates has been adversely affected; in particular in the number of photos that we can take and in keeping up-to-date with our donation statistics. Normal service with be resumed – but when?

This month’s featured photos

• Warm clothing
• Firewood
• Weather-proof roof

–
–

Photo Gallery: Click on any of the photos for enlargements, more details or similar photos.

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.

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 2020

The Horley team completed a very a productive month of sorting and packing whilst using the car park at Horley Baptist Church and our warehouse in Billingshurst. On 11th September we will return to our venue for packing and sorting inside Horley Baptist Church from 13:30 to 15:30 each Friday, but excluding 25th September and 4th December.

The Billingshurst warehouse will be open on Saturday mornings as normal. Location details for the warehouse are on our How to Donate page.

It is hoped to have a Christmas lorry ready for November. Please ensure your shoe boxes are with us by Saturday 7th November. If you send by post or parcel services you will have to check with your local depot about collections nearer the time you are ready. As actual shoe boxes are becoming very difficult to obtain we can accept their contents in bulk form, for making up into gift parcels in Dorohoi.

AN has continued to operate with reduced staffing in the office and in the shop. The arrival of a lorry in mid July has allowed us to reduce, to a certain degree, our constraints on helping only the most needy families. We have been able to be a little more generous with giving out clothing and food, and have seen an increase in the numbers of people that we are able to help. In July we gave out goods with a local equivalent value of £3,100 in response to 186 requests for help. This compares with the corresponding figures of £7,900 and 232 for July 2019. In addition to the donation of regular stock we have been able to help with several special projects which have received specific funding from the UK.

September sees the start of the new school year although, as the day draws closer, there is less and less clarity as to how schools can operate whilst maintaining the safety of pupils and staff. We have again been able to supply a selection of stationery and other materials such as carpet tiles. These tiles have an added value in kindergartens this year as they can be used to define personal space for each child.

Other restrictions concerning social distancing and the wearing of masks in certain circumstances are still in force although they are being widely ignored. As a result, some parts of Romania are experiencing large increases in the numbers of COVID cases, although our area area is not one of the hot-spots. This in turn has meant that countries such as Austria and Hungary are introducing restrictions on the movements of foreigners. As these are countries through which our lorries must pass there is still some doubt about our lorry delivery programme for the rest of the year.

The need to comply with social distancing and health protection measures means that the preparation of our news updates has been adversely affected; in particular in the number of photos that we can take and in keeping up-to-date with our donation statistics. Normal service with be resumed – but when?

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.

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 2020

The Horley team, whilst under lock-down rules, have managed to load and dispatch a full articulated lorry from Billingshurst to Dorohoi, all whilst keeping safe and using a small invited team. The warehouse in Billingshurst is now empty. With this is mind and still under certain safety measures we will be receiving aid items in the car park of Horley Baptist Church, during Fridays from 31st July and each Friday in August. It is hoped that we may restart our regular packing sessions at Horley Baptist Church in September. Most of our team in Horley are of a mature age. However, all would love to get back sorting and packing as before.

The Billingshurst warehouse will be open on Saturday mornings during August and then as normal thereafter. Because of an issue with the key box it is no longer possible to drop off items there other than Saturday mornings. The code is changed and will not be available to unauthorised persons. Location details for the warehouse are on our How to Donate page.

It is hoped to have a Christmas lorry ready for November. Please ensure your shoe boxes are with us by Saturday 7th November. If you send by post or parcel services you will have to check with your local depot about collections nearer the time you are ready.

In south Wales the lock-down restrictions had the result of severely restricting movement, so that for weeks and weeks nothing was received. However, for the last 6 weeks materials have been trickling in and, subject to local restrictions, it is back to normal. We anticipate that the numbers of Joy in the Box contributions (due later in the year) may be down this year. Actual shoe boxes are becoming very difficult to obtain so we can accept their contents in bulk form, for making up into gift parcels in Dorohoi.

Once again this month in Dorohoi we have been able to continue to help our most needy families, with a limited range of clothing and some household items. With the help of local contacts we have also been able to obtain some food items such as potatoes, margarine and UHT milk, for sharing with them. The arrival of the lorry on 16th July was a great blessing, we were able to start distributing its contents immediately. Loads of thanks to all those involved.

In this area there was very little precipitation during the winter and rainfall during the spring and summer has been erratic, with some areas flooded and others in near-drought conditions. This has had an adverse effect on the quality and quantity of crops.

The start of the traditional holiday period and the hot summer temperatures have encouraged wise-spread non-compliance with social distancing rules. Whilst we maintain the required measures at the office and shop, our staff are at increased risk whilst out and about.

This month’s featured photos

• A great effort
• A generous donation
• A disappointing harvest

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.

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 2020

The Horley team is planning to send a lorry on 11th July. This will, of course, be dependent upon the prevailing restrictions on the number of people that can help with the loading and also upon a judgement by our transport contractor about the conditions governing the international haulage of this type of goods.

Our stocks of summer clothing that were inappropriate for winter distribution are now proving their worth as we have been able to continue to donate some clothing to those who are the most needy here. As mentioned previously, the depletion of stocks has allowed us to undertake a lot of repair and maintenance work at the warehouse. We now have an opportunity to do a more realistic stock take rather than the estimates that have been necessary in previous years. Nevertheless, we look forward to the arrival of a new load, hopefully during the next two weeks.

The very popular donations of oil and rice from Wales have all been shared out, as has the food that we received from Horley. As an interim arrangement we have been able to obtain a limited range of locally sourced food items, some as donations, others at reduced cost. This has allowed us to continue to provide help to the most needy families and individuals. The procedures for donations at the office continue to respect the distancing rules that Romania still has in place.

Most schools and kindergartens have been closed since March and teachers have been conducting classes online. However, many families do not have access to the necessary technology or materials so now, with a partial relaxation of distancing rules and better weather, some teachers are providing catch-up classes. We have been able to provide stationery, craft materials, some outdoor toys and furniture so that classes can be held in the school grounds.

Summer camps such as that at Voronet have not been able to open as yet this year so it now seems very unlikely that we will be able to organise a camp holiday this summer.

This month’s featured photos

• Renovations at the warehouse
• Donations comply with distancing recommendations
• Help for Kindergartens

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.

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, June 2020

 
The information given in this page was correct at the time of preparation. However, in the current circumstances, regulations and activities can change on a daily basis and it is not possible to keep these pages entirely up to date. Please refer to our “Please Note” page for the latest information.

 
In the UK all activities involving person-to-person contact including packing and transport have been suspended during the present crisis:
– Friday packing sessions are suspended;
– Normal warehouse activities are suspended;
– Team meetings are moving to digital media;
– Lorry departures are postponed.
The monthly Prayer Notes and the websites will continue to be published as normal.
You can keep up to date via our website link above.

RoAF has provided funding to enable Beni to take the opportunity of a relatively empty warehouse to do some redecoration there, and also funds to facilitate the repair of the warehouse roof before the winter. This latter work will require craftsmen with appropriate skills, many of whom are currently unable to work officially.

The work of AN has not stopped during this period of emergency. We did reduce the hours of work, but we kept the office and shop open. Some clouds have silver linings! We have been able to use this opportunity when we have limited stocks in the warehouse to re-organise the way in which items are stored there and to dispose of articles that no longer have any prospect of being useful. Thanks to funding from the UK we are able to do some repairs and redecorating, with some of our beneficiaries and Casa Neemia residents helping with that work.

We have been able to keep the shop open with limited hours. Many of our usual customers are reluctant to spend much at present so we have kept the prices at ‘sales’ level. The shop has continued to cover its costs but it is not able to contribute much to the other activities of the charity.

Laurentiu and Gabriela have continued to prepare items for needy families, within the constraints of limited stocks. The office premises are closed to visitors and donations are made in accordance with the contact restrictions that are currently in place.

After many months of near-drought (and minimal winter snow) we now have had two weeks of more regular rainfall. Our crops at the warehouse and at Casa Neemia have benefited from this rain but below the top level much of the soil remains very dry. This suggests that the final quality of the crops will not be of the standard of previous years. As mentioned last month, we have been able to acquire some food stocks locally, at discounted prices, and have been able to distribute them to our families.

Restrictions on movements and gatherings mean that it is not possible to have the children’s camp at Voronet this month. We are looking at options later in the summer but it seems highly likely that there will be no camp this year. This will be a major disappointment for the children who had been looking forward to their annual holiday in the mountains.

This month’s featured photos

• Renovations at the warehouse
• A season for new life
• Diligent gardeners at Casa Neemia

Photo Gallery: Click on any of the photos for enlargements, more details or similar photos.

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.

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, May 2020