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CHALLENGE CAMP ROMANIA Presidents Report 2002 I would like to start my report with my gratitude and thanks to all the people who raised money to help our Romanian charity to run holiday camp once again this year. At the end of last year we decided to build a wet weather shelter in camp, in case of bad weather. We had last year's big storms at camp and we realized we need to do something to protect children while they are in camp and it is raining. Also, the Health Department told us we need a dry, closed place to give the food to the children. They told us at the end of last year that we need to separate the storerooms and to have one for the food and other one for equipment. They suggested to us that we move the first aid room into another place, away from the kitchen. Also, they said we need a bedroom in case a person is ill, to stay isolated from the rest of the people. Also, said we had to have a qualified, approved chef in the kitchen to cook the food for the children. The conditions they require was explained to the committee, and they agreed we needed to do something fast! We didn't have money to buy all the things we needed, but we bought the wood and some cement and bricks to start the work in April, after the snow was gone. We got part of the plans and the authorization while David Kennington was here in October and the rest in April when we started the work. We moved the old verandah to the back of the building, and made a place for the leaders where they can relax and have a coffee or tea, and to have the meetings. We built two rooms for the first aid; make a storeroom for food and two for the equipment, with no windows so, unfortunately, we cannot sleep children in them in an emergency. We made a room for freezers and for chopping meat, another one to store the bread. We put some fencing inside of the camp to protect leaders tents from the children. We put the foundations down for the new building. Unfortunately, we didn't have money to finish this activity room, so we have had to stop this project for this year! While David Kennington was in Romania we employed a Lawyer to sort of our legal papers. We have now, on our charity committee, two more members, Miss Monica McDaid and Mr. Simon O'Connor from the charity: " A new life". (The Romanian Charity of Romanian Challenge Camp) Before camp I went with the vicepresident to buy some food for the camp, we also employed a chef to cook the food for the camp. She had worked before at the boys' home, an orphanage in Siret, who have been on camp every year until the orphanage was closed. In camp the food was great and everybody was happy! Because of the rain we had some problems with the accommodation of children, but I hope next year we will have enough money to finish the building. Our generator collapsed in camp, so we managed with only a small one, and another one bigger, but very old! I hope that next year we can get another one so we will not have as many problems! Unfortunately, because of so much rain we had problems with the water samples taken by the people from the Health Department. They told us the water was not drinkable, and said they would close the camp until we install a filter for water. We solved the problem partly by getting mineral water for the children and leaders to drink. We know that next year, without fixing these problems, we will not be allowed to offer a holiday to these children from orphanages. I hope next year to be able to finish the wet weather shelter, to build two dormitories for children in case of rain, with toilets and washrooms, Upstairs will be small bedrooms, office, toilets, washrooms and showers The roof is to be a metal one to give a longer life, and water from the roof can be stored and used. I hope that next year we can do all these jobs so we will be able to solve the problems that have shown up this year. Once again thank you for all your support on behalf of the children. ALEXANDRU HANDRACHE President Challenge Camp Romania
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