Dear friends,
Well, I think we can all say it’s been a tough time over the past months, but thankfully we and everyone in Romania is safe and well. Like here in the UK, everything in Romania has been affected by the virus, not least the children’s schooling, the worst affected are the Rosca boys, Tiberiu and Sebastian as they don’t have access to the online schoolwork, we just hope they pass their studies this year and aren’t held back a year in their schooling. The Rosca build: As you know, we had major concerns about the Rosca house sliding down their land so raised funds to have the issues dealt with. Unfortunately, a relative objected to the kitchen part of the house being demolished so we made the decision that we wouldn’t get involved with family disputes. This has meant that we, in discussion with the family, decided to build a separate kitchen which is not uncommon in the villages of Romania. The work started in late October 2020 and is going well to date, although there was a long delay because the plastering inside the building was taking a long time to dry out, minus12 daytime temperatures didn’t help! This family is by far the poorest family we support and sadly, their solar panels also failed in December so they were left without any light or power again, Christmas wasn’t the best time for them. We didn’t have the funds to sort this issue but thanks to the help of The Association of Delia’s Friends and other supporters here, we were able to get new batteries and transformer in late January, but unfortunately, the transformer wasn’t the right one so we are just waiting for the new one to arrive to solve the problem. We would love to put panels on the roof of the kitchen but again, lack of money (around £1700) made it impossible. All being well, the build should be completed in the next few weeks, it will be wonderful! We have been contacted by Dana Diaconu to ask if we could possible install water on her land for her and her two children, Andreea and Beatrice. We have committed to doing this as soon as the weather is milder and again, thanks to The Association of Delia’s Friends, we can do it. This will mean they won’t have a long walk to the well for all their water, and although sometimes they go to the Church which is nearer, unfortunately, the water there often contains sand so isn’t ideal. The water on their land will be a stand pipe out side their home so will be much healthier and more convenient for them. There is great excitement there as they anticipate this being done for them. Oana Rosca (Stancu) is being a huge help to us. She’s had a tough time recently. Oana and her long term boyfriend Florin (a really good, hard working, caring man) were invited by a relative to go and work in France (close to the border with Italy). He worked hard for a month and then his boss wouldn’t pay him. They had a real struggle and Oana was very unhappy and missing home, so they made the long journey back to Barlad, vowing never to leave Romania again. Florin has got a building job but the pay is very low so life isn’t easy. Oana was very happy to announce to me as soon as she found out that she was pregnant. Her baby is due in May. There was some concerns that she may never be able to have children as some of you may remember, she became ill when we were on camp with her in 2015 and was diagnosed with tuberculosis meningitis and almost died. She and Florin are delighted and although they have money worries about affording everything, they can’t wait to be parents. Oana helps every month by going to buy food and supplies for her parents and brothers (Rosca family) and for Mirela and her 5 children, Crina Stefania, Stefan, Valentin and Gabriel. If anything is needed for any of the families, I only have to ask Oana and she is more than happy to help. She delivers food from GNfR to them each month and always sends photographs of the receipts and photos of the families too which is great to see. Mihai Munteanu (he is doing the building work for us and will install the water for Dana) and his wife Oana and children Timotei, Raysa, Salome, Amina, Elisei and Abiel are doing well, they’re a lovely Christian family. Their 5 children are beautiful and although GNfR doesn’t give them as much support as worse off families, they appreciate the gifts we send at Christmas and other times when boxes are sent over there. Madalina’s girls Stefania and Rebeca are doing well, they’re working hard with their schooling and are bright children. Again, because their Dad Vlad works as a mechanic, they don’t need the same help as other families. Oana Zanet and Mum Maria are doing ‘ok’ but struggle shut in their tiny apartment together. Oana has taken up crocheting during lockdown and is very very good at it. She was delighted to receive crochet hooks and wool from GNfR for Christmas, it has certainly helped her to cope mentally as she does struggle with mental health issues. Barlad d Andrei Dinca, the young man training to be a doctor is doing ok and his studies are going well. He has had some problems with his back and at the minute, he is coping ‘ok,’ he thinks it will be something he has to live with. He is now in his final year of studies and can’t wait to be fully trained so that he can put his knowledge to use. He is a lovely Christian young man who often tells us how much he appreciates all the help he has had to continue with his studies. He has a lovely relationship with Lavinia who is also studying medicine. They seem perfectly matched! Online support: Quite a lot of the young people have now found ways of getting online and chatting to Kath. Oana Z, Oana R and Andrei are the most regular at getting in touch, sometimes for emotional support and sometimes just to chat, it’s always good to hear from them and Kath is more than happy to chat and support them as much as she can. It’s been lovely to have communication from 2 of the young teenage boys Ruben and Cristian and hear that they’re doing ok. Some of the young girls that we spent a lot of time with on camp have been in touch and are very chatty, they’re doing well with their studies. Sadly, Milena Lunca was telling Kath that her sister Nicoleta is struggling. She was married, lived in Bucharest and has two boys. Unfortunately her marriage has failed so she’s back home with family but has been drinking too much and its affecting her health. All very sad, she’s a lovely Mum and tries hard to cope, the family are doing all they can to support her and we pray that her health issues will be helped with medication. Stela Petcu and her son Andrei are also doing well. Life isn’t easy but with the help of her boyfriend of around 2 years, she’s coping ok. The Delia Centre: Everyone at the Delia centre is doing well and working hard, although it’s been stressful with the centre closed because of Covid from time to time. The teachers, Coca, Lidia and Gabriela are amazing and so dedicated to helping these children who come from the orphanage or foster care. The children receive good food, teaching, physical exercise etc when they are there which they so desperately need. There is no charge made for these children to attend the centre, The Delia Association run by Laura and Lauren in America, with the support of David Conway in Essex, does amazing work helping these children with physical or mental disabilities and certainly makes a huge change to their lives now and in the future. Kath is in touch with the foster parents of two of the children that attend the centre and they can’t thank everyone enough for the love and support they receive. GNfR is thrilled to be able to be involved in this work too; we all work together and support each other, wonderful! Good News for Romania sponsors three children at the centre: Ana Maria, Georgiana and Rares, it’s good to be able to support these children who wouldn’t otherwise have any help. If you would like more information about sponsorship, please get in touch. Fundraising: Sadly, 2020 wasn’t a year where we could do our usual fundraising but thanks to you all, our amazing supporters, the work of GNfR continued! We prayed we would be able to continue to give all the support needed and we DID, praise God! The families have been fed, gas has been provided for cooking, the build has been done, solar panels repaired, and lots of boxes of clothing and goodies have been sent to the Centre and our families, bringing more joy and happiness than we can imagine. We’ve managed to have two fundraising online zoom quizzes too which has been great fun and has certainly helped to take care of the boredom caused by covid. 2021: We have no idea what 2021 will bring with regards to getting back to any sort of normality and it seems that for the foreseeable future, our fund raising activities are on hold. As for going to Romania, again, sadly we can’t plan anything. We would like to go out in June if possible but we will see! We have zip wire challenges planned for March 20th when Shirley, Suzanne, Mark, Jack and Kath will zoom down the Welsh countryside on a zip wire. We still aren’t 100% sure if this will go ahead so if you would like to sponsor any of us, please check nearer the time if this is going ahead. Thank you! We really can’t thank you all enough for all your love and support, especially during these past difficult months. Being able to continue to help those we support in Romania has been amazing and please be sure, you love has meant so much to everyone. Hope you like the enclosed bookmark showing just a few of the children we support receiving their gifts. Take care, keep well and God bless. Love and thanks, David & Kath (& Mandy Pateman in Newport Pagnell) Ps: We are sending boxes to Barlad early March with Easter eggs for the children, we are sure they will be happy! Pps: Online zoom quiz, Friday March 26th at 8pm. If you would like to join us, do get in touch!