I have recently returned from a trip to Romania. I am pleased to say that I found every thing in order and the staff and volunteers have been working very hard. They painted the centre in the summer, pictured left, cleared the store room of rubbish and rats, ordered all the wood in readiness for winter as well as running the activities.

The centre had the Optometrists visit again to undertake eye testing and follow up on the testing that is done by our volunteers, and the team is shown on the right. The screening program is running well with our own testing taking place every month. 81 people were looked at and tested.

Whilst I was at the centre I talked over a project for helping the elderly which we hope to start in November. We will have an individual action plan for each of the 20 local elderly people and hope to give them a constructive package of assistance. Adina also started planning for the shoe boxes that will arrive for Christmas and they will be distributed through several local associations and churches. I had time to take a staff training session that went very well.

I visited The St Andrews Association in Vulcan that is made up of parents and teachers of special needs children, shown on the left. Together we are putting together a project for a toy library that is called, ” A Toy for Every Child”. I have some funding and have started to pack the boxes that will be sent out in November. We do not usually sent items out to Romania but good quality educational and construction toys are very expensive so it was the best way. I look forward to hearing how this project helps the children.

We accomplished a great deal during the week and I am confident that the centre is becoming very established in the area doing good work and helping a great many people.

Michelle