The Romanian Aid Foundation
An Introduction
Working with Romanian
people
to bring help to the needy,
hope through the Christian message
and co-operation through joint ventures
Links with Romania started in 1992 with a trip made by Jon Norman, a postman, and Richard Burgess, a farmer. Together they drove a small truck full of aid to the Dorohoi region of northeastern Romania, near the borders with Ukraine and Moldova.
The gifts they took were simple yet practical. Clothing, furniture and basic medical equipment were destined to improve the lives of people in the rural communities. Yet just as important as the gifts were the care that was shown and the friendships that were created.
These friendships and our love for the people of Romania have taken us back to this remote region every year since. The work has grown from two men with a small lorry to our current practice of taking a convoy of articulated trucks on several visits each year.
In January 2001 Jon Norman was awarded the MBE in recognition of the work of the Romanian Aid Foundation.
The scope of the Foundation's activities is always changing as need arise and are addressed. Here are a few examples of areas where we have been working:
Hospitals and Clinics - supporting both town and village hospitals with equipment, clothing and bedding.
Schools - helping with furniture, equipment and consumables. Creating links with schools in England.
Kindergarten - helping to found a Christian kindergarten in Dorohoi by providing equipment, carpets and toys.
Orphanages - practical help to staff and children by providing food, clothing, furniture and kitchen equipment.
Residential Home - bringing warmth through new heating, food and clothing, and hope through regular contact.
Agricultural Project - the provision of a tractor and farm machinery for a village project has improved production and provides employment. Ploughing and harvesting is carried out at a fair rate for those who can afford it and subsidised for poorer people.
Family Help - the Asociatia Neemia office in Dorohoi acts as a contact point for families with particular needs.
Giftbox distribution - for several years Asociatia Neemia has been able to take Christmas gifts to needy families and individuals.
Haine Calitate 1 is a clothing shop that sells a selection of nearly-new clothing. This provides employment and an income to support the work of Asociatia Neemia.
Small Enterprises - encouraging training, skills sharing and employment initiatives.
Contact Facilities - More recently we have been able to use our experience and facilities to help other charities and groups in this area.
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Following the Vision
In the short term we need to strengthen the projects we are already involved in. Our longer term aims are summed up in the following five objectives:
· to support projects in Romania which will have practical benefits for those Romanians in real need,
· to involve the local Romanians in self-help projects,
· to help improve training and employment prospects for the Romanian people,
· to monitor and assess all projects to ensure that both funds and effort are being properly used,
· to encourage spiritual growth through the practical demonstration of the Christian message.
Regular contact and follow-up forms an essential part of our work.
The establishment of Asociatia Neemia with its full-time staff, office and warehouse has allowed us to be more efficient in our work and also to gain a greater understanding of the context in which we are trying to help. Continuing contact is essential to help develop friendships and trust. Advice from local people is used to judge the effectiveness and future course of our vision.
But what of the future?
