The Romanian Aid Foundation & Asociatia Neemia

Plans are being finalised for two deliveries to Dorohoi this month. On the 13th, Richard and Linda will leave Lampeter taking a load full of items from west Wales, Richard’s 100th aid delivery to Romania. The Horley team will be sending a truck from the Billingshurst warehouse on the 29th June. Richard’s load will include some two tons of rice and oil donated by a charity in Wales whilst the Billingshurst load will contain lighter bulky items such as bedding and mobility aids. Packing volunteers are always appreciated at both locations.

Catalin Tudosanu lives in a village some 20 miles east of Dorohoi. He has been a cripple for many years but always has a positive attitude. He works as a cobbler and his primary means of transport has been an old hand-propelled tricycle. Now, following the arrival of surfaced roads in the village, the use of a mobility scooter becomes a realistic option. Our team in west Wales was able to source one and Catalin is delighted.

Most of the items that we donate are normal every-day needs such as clothing, food and household essentials but from time to time we do get offered larger items. Another such donation was a large larder-fridge which completed the final part of its journey to Sendriceni on a horse-drawn cart.

The preparations for the annual children’s camp are underway taking place during the 17th-22nd of June, the first week of the school holidays in Romania. The camp is in the eastern foothills of the Carpathian range and is operated with a Christian ethos. We usually take about 40 children aged 10-15, selected mainly from those families registered with AN, plus a few ‘Church’ children to show them the ropes. Our group will be there at the same time as a number of children from Dorohoi social services, and there is usually good interaction between the two groups. Once again the camp accommodation has been sponsored by our south Wales team and the Horley team has agreed to cover the cost of transport.

The new VW Caddy has entered service but there is an understandable reluctance to get it dirty in the current wet weather. Despite that, Beni has had one occasion to call upon the 4×4 function, satisfactorily demonstrating its ability to handle the type of unsurfaced roads that are still common in this area. Ironically, the Kangoo has behaved itself since it was threatened with dismissal!

Security cameras have been installed at Casa Neemia. These cover access to the building and the surrounding area but do not intrude on the privacy of the residents. The images can be viewed remotely which Beni finds useful for checking whether the polytunnel has been closed properly!

This month’s featured photos

• Catalin goes electric
• Horse-drawn fridge
• Images of camp

 

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.
[table id=<15> /]

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.

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Previous month, May 2019

For those of you who have been following the progress of Samira, a little girl who was diagnosed with leukemia, the latest news is that tests show that following treatment in Iasi she is now 100% clear of the disease. She will need periodic check-ups and to be careful of her general health. Her family has expressed their gratitude to those who supported the family during this crisis.

Maintaining our vehicles is a constant necessity. AN’s Renault Kangoo 4×4 has provided essential if occasionally unreliable service for over 10 years but it has finally reached the point where replacement has become urgent. The Kangoo has served us well for many years but the rigours of the work here and the increasing frequency of repairs mean that it will soon be time to retire it. The particular combination of seats, cargo space and 4×4 is not readily available on the second-hand market and the search for a replacement has been continent-wide. Using a legacy from John Andrew in Horley we have been able to purchase a nearly-new VW Caddy 4×4, which was located in Belgium and brought back to Dorohoi – it will commence active service once the paperwork is complete. The Kangoo is not dead, we anticipate donating it to a local church leader who has the necessary skills to make good use of it.
Over the years, RoAF has received several generous donations and bequests and it is a measure of God’s guidance that these usually arrive just when some major expediture is due.

The delayed load from south Wales arrived during April bringing additional supplies of clothing, toys and food. Last month we provided goods to a total of 182 households using items donated in the UK and forwarded by our teams. Typically we receive 12-15 visitors per day asking for a wide variety of items, in addition to those people whose needs are financial such as help with medical costs, energy bills, etc. We cannot satisfy all these requests – recent shortages include men’s trousers and spectacles – but we have been able to provide decorating materials and carpet tiles in addition to the usual range of clothes and food. We have been able to install a video screen in the office so that our visitors can watch a Christian TV channel during their visit.
One of the logistics problems that our packing teams face is obtaining adequate supplies of cardboard boxes. The Horley team receives boxes from a large hotel near Gatwick Airport which benefits from not having to make its own disposal arrangements. For south Wales, Richard is able to take the boxes from previous deliveries back for refills. Some of these boxes have three or four labels, which tends to confuse our unloaders.

The warmer Spring weather has triggered the planting season. We have been able to provide some seeds and garden tools to those who have the opportunity to use them. We have also prepared our own land with crops such as maize which will provide food for donation later in the year. However, springtime is not harvest and people are still hungry whilst they wait for their crops to mature so we still have regular requests for food donations. Thanks to generous people elsewhere we still have stocks of staples such as rice and flour which we can give to those in need.

For each of the past four years our Swansea-based team has sponsored places at a children’s holiday camp in the mountains near Voronet. The camp is for children from our beneficiary families and it offers a break away from home for many whose parents could not afford a family holiday. The camp has a Christian context and it is always very popular. This year the camp dates are 17-22 June, the first week of the school holidays. Already we have had enquiries from parents eager to get their children on the list (and off their hands).

This month’s featured photos

• Many hands make light work
• TV display in the office
• Caddy joins the fleet
• Many hands make light work
• Send them back
• Anticipating camp

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.
[table id=<13> /]

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.

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Previous month, April 2019

Returning to the question with which we finished last month’s News – will the lorries make it? – the answer is both yes and no. The lorry from Billingshurst did make it to Dorohoi, in record time, but the other one from south Wales has been delayed due to ill health. However, we anticipate that it will arrive during the next two weeks and this delay has given us the benefit of being able to organise the incoming goods more efficiently. The number of people asking for short-term help appears to be falling slightly but there are more households with long-term needs and the items that we receive allow us to continue to help them. UPDATE: Richard and his lorry left Swansea on 5th April and a tidy warehouse awaits their arrival.

Cornelius Purice has been AN’s warehouseman-driver for many years but he has now reached an age when retirement beckons. We thank him for his valuable and occasionally comic contributions to AN’s activities during the past 16 years and are pleased that we have not seen the last of him – he and his colleague Iulian will continue to help as volunteers on three mornings each week.

Severe weather at the beginning of March did not pass us unscathed. High winds stripped a large proportion of the polythene covering from the polytunnel at Casa Neemia. Although the timing was not of our choosing we were able to take the opportunity to make some improvements to the structure which will give us better crops later in the year. Also, starting this month, we will be introducing an element of self-help for the residents whereby they will each be expected to spend a certain amount of time working in the garden (as well as their duties in the house). UPDATE: Thursday 4th April was this year’s first garden-intensive day with half-a-dozen of our residents gainfully occupied in preparing the vegetable beds for new crops.

This month’s featured photos

• He’s made it – Corneliu Purice reaches retirement
• He’s remaking it – Laurentiu repairing the Polytunnel
• Will he make it? Richard’s route to Dorohoi

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.
[table id=<4> /]

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.

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Previous month, March 2019

Like a hibernating bear, Spring made a brief appearance and then went back to sleep. February is gaining a reputation for promises that March is reluctant to deliver but the aspects of grey and white that dominated the winter scene are slowly acquiring a hint of green. In rural areas the ploughing season has begun and there is an interesting contrast between the commercial enterprises with access to expensive machinery and the majority of smallholders with one or two horses. At least the horses know the way home if the ploughman falls asleep!

This season brings a sense of starting afresh. The privations, and procrastination, of the winter are drawing to an end and it is time to get up and do something to improve one’s lot. We can anticipate an increase in opportunities for casual labour in agriculture and construction; one of the major sources of income for many of our beneficiaries. We have received a large supply of vegetable seeds, to be shared with those who have the necessary space and, appropriately for spring cleaning, we have been able to distribute some 800 litres of detergent donated by another local charity.
In addition to our normal items – clothing, bedding, toys, food – from time to time we receive other items such as crutches, decorating materials, soap and mattresses donated in bulk from surplus stock whilst bicycles, computers, musical instruments are examples of individual donations. All these items will, in due course, find a home where they will be valued.

Our associate, Robert, has started a programme of one-to-one meetings with the ‘wild bunch’ – a group of young men mainly from an orphanage background whose experiences and lifestyle have earned them that nickname. This is not an easy method of outreach, and Robert needs encouragement and prayer support for his initiative.

At the time of writing, the confusion surrounding Brexit is still unresolved. AN is expecting two lorries later this month – on the 26th and 27th respectively – will they make it? Read next month’s news to find out!

This month’s featured photos

• Support for Steluta.
• Geta gets mobile again.
• Gheorghe hits the road.

  

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.
[table id=<3> /]

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.

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Previous month, February 2019

 

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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.

 

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Previous month, January 2019

Looking back at last January’s Prayer Notes it appears that a simple repetition of what was written then would still be relevant – price rises, cold weather, poor prospects, people who are hungry and cold. Of course there are differences in the details – the price rises are on top of last year’s, the weather is not (yet) quite so cold, 315 additional households received donated items for the first time in 2018 – but AN’s day-to-day activities continue much as usual. The annual review for last year is due shortly and, rather than repeat the review’s content, this gives the opportunity to try something different for this month’s Prayer Notes.

Isabela is three years old and lives with her family in a small village some 20 miles from Dorohoi. She was born with a heart defect and needed a series of medical interventions. Some RoAF supporters undertook to pray for her and contributed to the costs of the operations, which were deemed to be successful. Isabela now has a good prognosis and her family is receiving some state help towards her return to complete health.

Samira, aged four, lives in the same village. RoAF supporters with long memories may recall that we helped her mother, Petruta, who was rescued from an orphanage as a baby and brought up by her grandparents. Samira has been diagnosed with a form of blood disorder for which she is undergoing chemotherapy. This is a great burden for her parents and her great-grandparents, especially as Petruta has had to give up her job in order to care for Samira.

• Our Annual Review for 2018 has been published – a printable pdf file can be accessed here.
• An update for Casa Neemia is also available here.

This month’s featured photos

• Isabela after treatment.
• Samira before the start of her treatment.
• Samira during her treatment.

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.
[table id=<6> /]

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.

The figures for December 2018 are lower than those of the same month in 2017; this is largely due to reduction in the number of shoeboxes available for distribution.
 

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Previous month, December 2018

The AN team is now entering our busiest time of the year, which also coincides with the onset of bad weather and difficult working conditions. The main occupation is the checking, sorting and distribution of the Christmas shoeboxes. The giftboxes have to be inspected to check for the suitability of the contents for the age and gender of the intended recipient, and for a sufficient diversity in the contents. These are intended as Christmas gifts so toys and sweets need to be present alongside any other items and, of course, the box has to be reasonably full. A large box that is half-full will be disappointing even if its content amounts to more than that of a smaller well-packed box. Fortunately, many of the boxes come already inspected and well-labelled and we are extremely grateful for that. For the rest, we have stocks of sweets, toys and stationery that can be used to supplement the donated contents.

Shoeboxes are distributed to children in kindergartens and churches, and to our registered needy families and individuals. Many of the families will come to the office for boxes and it is necessary to be wary of excessive or duplicated demands. Representatives from kindergartens and churches will submit requests for a certain number of boxes but since there is rarely enough to satisfy everybody we need to exercise a degree of discretion in responding to these requests. Those who receive these boxes are grateful for the effort that goes into preparing them and despite the difficulties we are pleased to be able to help bring some joy into many lives at Christmas.

The final lorry for this year has arrived from Billingshurst but the work for the packing teams in the UK has not finished. Items continue to arrive and the teams resume their work as soon as each lorry leaves. However, they will be having a short break over the Christmas and New Year period, when they will renew their strength for the coming year’s activity. Our thanks are due to all those who have contributed to the 74 tons of clothing, food and other items that have been sent to Romania by our teams during this year.

This month’s featured photos

• Unloading Christmas boxes.
• Selecting boxes for families.
• Delivering to a rural house.

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.
[table id=<7> /]

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.

 

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Previous month, November 2018

It was with shock and deep sorrow that we learnt of the death of Ruedi Buob aged 87. Ruedi and his wife Anna have been enthusiastic and generous supporters of RoAF’s activities since our earliest days. In addition to lending muscle when needed, Ruedi’s special skill was the packing of soft toys and games, and many a child in Romania is grateful for his efforts.

Despite the lingering warm weather the days are getting shorter and nights are cooler. The need to prepare for next growing season means that many people are moving about with large agricultural machinery and, by contrast, with horse-drawn carts, and this makes for additional road hazards during the dark mornings and evenings. We have been able to distribute yellow reflective jackets and these have already demonstrated their value in making people more visible.

We will be able to help more families this winter with food as well as clothing thanks to the donations received from regular and occasional sources. In addition to the now-familiar consignments of oil, rice, flour and sugar from a charity in Wales there is en-route a large amount of more general groceries which will be of particular value in the new year period when winter shortages are likely to be most severe. This food has been collected by schools, churches and individual donors, and we pass on the thanks of those who benefit from this generosity.

This year has been a good one for the growth of maize and our land at the AN warehouse has produced a good crop too. Many small-holders have the maize coarse-milled to provide food for their livestock but our crop will be milled to a finer flour which can be used for a variety of household recipes. There has also been an abundance of apples this year; we received a large quantity from a local grower and have been able to share them with visitors to our office.

This month’s featured photos

• Ruedi Buob, devoted allotment holder and RoAF supporter.
• Harvesting maize the traditional way.
• Food collection from local schools.

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.
[table id=<8> /]

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.

 

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Previous month, October 2018

Summer is over (apart from the occasional flash-back), schools are back in session and the time left to prepare for the coming winter is passing quickly. Historically, Autumn can be quite short in northern Romania and already some areas have experienced frosts and even some snow. In rural areas the last of the crops are being gathered in, the firewood is being chopped and those who have the luxury of a winter wardrobe are giving it an airing. The comprehensive load which arrived recently included several tons of oil, rice, flour and sugar, plus a stock of fleeces and other clothing which will be available to address two of these needs. However, restrictions on the cutting of firewood are making it increasingly difficult to acquire legally and therefore more expensive. A typical retired couple in an old village house might use some 5 cu mtr of wood for cooking and heating during the winter, at a cost equivalent to two months’ pension.

For those following the progress of Isabela, the girl born with a severe heart defect, there is good news. An examination last month showed that the previous operations had been successful and that she has no need for further intervention. Her parents have described this as a miracle; many thanks to those who prayed for Isabela and supported her family.

Recently a young couple who had been living in poor quality rented accommodation had the opportunity to buy a flat for themselves. We have known them for a long time and were happy to help guide them through the negotiations and the legal procedures.

This month’s featured photos

• Oil, rice, sugar and flour from a charity in west Wales.
• Duvets and bedding ready for transport from Billingshurst.
• Chopping firewood warms you twice.

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.
[table id=<9> /]

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.

 

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Previous month, September 2018

Maria Condrea has worked with Asociatia Neemia for some 17 years, acting as our office manager and undertaking the day-to-day practicalities of responding to those in need. She built up an encyclopedic knowledge of our beneficiaries and honed the ability to handle those whose demands exceed their fair entitlement. She has turned in her keys and is looking forward to a more relaxed retirement. We welcome Alexandra Ungureanu who has been Maria’s understudy for a couple of months and has shown herself to be a worthy successor.

School starts again in mid-September and now families are coming to ask for help. Officially, school is free but there are many obligations with regard to stationery and dress codes. AN has stocks of school bags, pens and paper for the children as well as suitable clothing. We also have craft materials, larger toys and furniture for donation to kindergartens.

Two fatal accidents in a period of seven days have deprived two families in the same community of their fathers and principal bread-winners. In the first case, a man returning from working in Italy fell asleep just a few miles from home; his car left the road, hit a tree and overturned. In the second, a local man was bringing in the last of the harvest when the tractor he was driving rolled over and he was crushed by the cabin. Romania has a poor road safety record – often considered to be the worst in Europe – and accidents such as these are a daily feature of the national news broadcasts.

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This month’s featured photos

• Maria Condrea
• Alexandra Ungureanu
• Craig Buchanan

Last month’s performance statistics

These statistics give a snapshot of our aid-related activities last month.
[table id=<10> /]

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.

 

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Previous month, August 2018