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March Unfortunately we are informed that Challenge Appeal require the services of the Royal Mail wagons this year, and as they are the primary charity we have to look elsewhere. Fortunately two of the drivers who went last year have managed to obtain the use of a smaller wagon from Parcel Force, and are going out in May. We have managed to purchase a generator (21kva) larger than our last one (7kva) which is needed for the extra power for the new building, this also means that constant hot water will be available for the Kitchen and Medical Room as well as the wash places. Also we purchased a water purification system at a total cost of Ł4000.00. Unfortunately a necessity. Fortunately, Royal Mail has offered to take the generator on the wagon with goods for Challenge Appeal. May We load the wagon and unfortunately we find we haven’t enough room for all the bikes we have had donated by “Inside Out” Charity, also some of the computers had to stay behind. Hopefully they will go out next year. Last year we purchased some party boxes and found them a great asset, the children loved them, so this year we have bought more. June The first stage of the building is finally about finished. Alex goes to the Health Dept for authorisation as we have don all the things required from last year, and is told they have no guidelines for the activity registered for the site, so cannot give authority. But if we put up some wooden buildings “like those used on commercial sites in Romania” and call the activity “Camping” they can then authorise it. At this late time in the day we have to decide what to do as the Protection for Children Dept will not allow institutionalised children without authorisation from the Health Dept. So, we have two options. Cancel the camp or take the handicapped and poor children. It is decided to go with the second option. The directors at Sasca and Siret Hospital are approached and they agree. The Save the Children are also approached and the priest from Suceava and we have been told of a village near Forticeni and the Mayor has been approached. July/August We have a team of 23 English going out. Nine the first two weeks and twenty one for the rest of the camp, with a Romanian team in support. The first week we have the “Save the Children” these are children with special needs, having physical and mental problems. This is a first off for us, as these children come from families and come with some parents as helpers. The second week we have the patients from Sasca. We have had about 10 for the last seven years who have been allowed to sleep on camp. This year we have 30 plus, with carers. The third week we have the patients from Siret. They have been coming from the first year “1991” but only for a morning or afternoon. This year they were allowed to stay all day. The last week we had the poor children from Suceava and this year, for the first time, some of the older children went into the forest with hike tents and cooked over a wood fire, they also took part in “backwoods cooking” A real experience for them. Indoors we had Theme Parties and Disco’s, Drawing, Face Painting etc. We purchased a giant Genko tower which was not used as intended but was enjoyed by the children and handicapped as building bricks. Once again, we had bad weather BUT thanks to all those people who gave so generously of their money and time, for us to be able to erect the wet weather shelter. Nothing was cancelled and no one had to go off camp with the bad weather. This year with the support of Kershaw Rubber Stamps (KRS) of Darwen the children were able to make individual Christmas cards for those who have sponsored them. Considering all the difficulties. ONCE AGAIN A HUGE SUCCESS. Approximately 400 came to camp. All due to the tremendous support by very generous donations, hard work and help in many many ways. Since the camp, we have had some bad news. Aspasia, the old lady who lives next to the camp site, fell whilst painting the outside of her house, she dies three days later. Aspasia, was a real character and will be missed by all of us. We had a collection and have paid for the funeral meal and intend to pay for a small cross for her grave. It has also been decided to name our local children’s Fun Day after her, also if possible to build a small memorial garden on the boundary between her house and the camp site, this will be looked after by some of the handicapped from the Siret Hospital. (This will get them out and give them a little job) We arrange transport for them. |