GREETINGS FROM ROMANIA!
Buna ziua, dearest volunteers! Waiting anxiously for some news from Romania? Here are the highlights of the last several months.
First of all, be happy for us, Romania joined the European Union at the beginning of this year and we truly hope that only good things will come out of this. The first important step was taken as far as the water purification system is concerned. A professor from Iasi was assigned by the government to finalize the written project and the assessment of the whole system that will be installed hopefully soon. Only this first assessment step cost $10,000. Thank you all for raising this money. We appreciate that very much. For us, here, that was a big relief. In a country lead by a coalition that split almost immediately after the admission in the EU and a president threatening that he will resign (meanwhile he was suspended by the Parliament), there is not much concern about our water treatment plant from the national authorities.
Only the local government contributed something towards buying a new hematology analyzer that the hospital is very proud of. You might remember that, when Dr. Delia gives the tour, she always mentioned the hematology analyzer that they don't have but would be so much needed. Now they have it. And Global Volunteers contributed half of the amount which means $10,000.00. Dr. Delia thanks everybody very much as now they can do the blood work here instead of sending it to Barlad and paying so much more for that.
As for the clinic, you may want to know that it is one of the few that hasn't been closed by the government. Do you see the reason? I do. You are a very important part of the reason. All the government inspections were impressed by the way the clinic looks and how well the children are doing compared to other institutions that were closed.
We have many new babies and toddlers that recent former volunteers remember went either home or to foster families, unfortunately not many got back in their own families. The day that most of them will go back to their mom and dad would be an indication to Romania that the country is doing well economically.
We currently have 36 children and the largest group is the non-mobile infant group. You see know that we need lots of hands for them.
Ana-Maria Rancea is still at the clinic and, but doing better every day as she has 2 care givers just for her. We do say that help is intended for children as a group and not for individuals, but this was a matter of surviving or not, so we didn't want to apply a principle mechanically without thinking of what's best for her. Thank you.
Alexandra, the brittle bone disease toddler is at the clinic and she is doing quite well. She would like to stand up, but you know she doesn't have the strength to do so. Anyway, she is more sociable and one day she pulled my dress and stretched her arms so I could pick her up. That was the first day she interacted like that with me.
Andrei P (the special needs child), Florin (the leader of the gang), Dumitru and Octavian, Andreea R. left not long ago to foster families. We all hope they will have a better life. In their place are many more children in need.
Sorin and Abel had eye-surgery at the same time and difference is visible. They are doing much better.
This summer teams are going to be quite large, many volunteers will work at the clinic, but the late fall, winter and early spring are the lowest seasons. Maybe, some of you, if you decide to volunteer again, can decide to come when they are less volunteers because kids don't know about the weather outside, they know that they need arms to hold them, smiling faces, tender voices that you can offer. If you are unable to volunteer, sponsorship is also a wonderful way to make a difference for these adorable children.
The local Romanian high school students still come to volunteer once in a while on weekends or vacation. There are not many left from the initial group of 20, but there are some very committed.
For those working at the Romanian schools, you may have wondered yourselves if your help makes a difference. Well, it does! The other day a teacher was telling me that one student (present in conversational classes many times) participated in a contest and they had to speak in English. The student, Andra, said that the conversational classes helped her not only to improve her English, but to be more confident in herself and she was looking forward to more classes with the volunteers.
One last thing: new lodging! We stay in Barlad in a brand new hotel located conveniently close to downtown. I am sure you will like it very much! A hug from all the kids and our deep appreciation for all you have done in Romania!
Pa, pa!
Mihaela Cirjontu
Global Volunteers Romania Country Manager
