Saturday December 13th
It
has been another good day, though possibly rather a bitty day. We began with
going to Geo's to go with him to see the new house he and the family are
building. That was very very impressive. But first of all we had to drink a cup
of tea and have some cake and homemade croissant pizza.
Then
we met up with the girls – known to us as “Nicu's Girls” (in that it was Nicu
and Miheala Gal who rescued them from sleeping under bridges or the streets
after they came out of the state orphanage). We went to their apartment after
meeting Maria at the supermarket. We gave them their shoeboxes and had a lovely
time there chatting – they kindly gave us tea and jam sandwiches. They sang for
us (lovely spontaneous harmonies)and Mia who is learning the violin played for
us. We were quite shocked to realise how very very little they earn – most of
them work at the hospital paid to play
with and care for the sick children. Their salaries are funded by various charities
but they earn under £100 per month. The rent on the apartment the six of them
share is 200€ a month, so without the ongoing help from P2P there is no way
they could afford that apartment, which consists of 3 bedrooms, one bathroom
and one small kitchen area.
Finally
we went to see Kathy Langston and her new apartment which is right in the
centre of town, this she explained is paid for by one of her sponsors. We spent
time with her foster daughters, Codi and Andrea – soon to be her adoptive
daughters God willing. They have grown and matured so much. We went out for a
meal and it was encouraging to hear Kathy talk of some of the encouragements
she has had recently with various of the people who she assists. But it shocked
me to learn that one young nurse recently qualified through Kathy's financial
support is unable to get a job nursing without paying a substantial bribe to
the hospital.