GRATITUDE
“It
is always so very humbling when people kiss your hand in gratitude at what they
have received”.
At Cefa all pensioners on the Adopt A Granny
programme in the area came to the church on the Sunday afternoon. There they
received a food parcel and a bag of clothing and bedding sent over Mustard Seed
Jersey’s last aid consignment. Mustard Seed Romania (our daughter charity)
offers help with medical checks by employing a nurse part-time. The food
parcels contained the basic foods and are highly valued by the pensioners.
HARD TIMES AHEAD
This was the big fear of many pensioners in
both the city and the country villages. On June 1st all pensions were cut by 15%.
affecting not only the elderly but all receiving medical pensions.
“We
heard countless stories of pensioners unable to survive on the pension. One
woman told us her month’s pension was all gone on essential medicine and the
utilities, within days and she had only enough money left to buy one loaf of
bread on alternate days.”
“If
they cannot manage now how will they manage with only 85% of what they had?”
WAGE
CUTS & STRIKES
“Within an
hour of arriving in Romania we were told of great concern and huge problems.
From June 1st all state
employees have a 25% cut in their salaries and must take a month’s
unpaid leave.”
This resulted in planned strikes throughout the
country starting on June 1st. One day the trams did not run, the next
day half the schools were shut, the following day the university and the
other schools shut and so it continued.
Only emergency surgery and medical treatment was possible, due to the increased
workload.
The social workers said how much the recipients
value the food parcels from Jersey.
PEOPLE SUFFERING
“We met the
young women (brought up in state orphanages now in our sponsored apartments).
They had been self supporting but not now. Prices went up but their wages did
not. They told us that now without help
to pay the rent and a hot meal from the local church they could not
manage. For the first time ever they asked if we could possibly help with food
and toiletries, especially toothpaste.”
“We went
out and bought basic food and toiletries at a supermarket. We were shocked at
the cost of toiletries, they cost more in Romania than in Jersey, but they earn
less in a month than we would earn in a week.”
STORY
OF A TRAFFICKED VICTIM
Recently Mustard Seed Jersey has assisted victims
of people trafficking. One repatriated victim (a mother with 3 very young
children) wept with joy on receiving food,
washing powder and disposable nappies. She was conned and went willingly with
the traffickers believing she would be well paid and that this was the best
solution for her family’s need, but she was never paid. Her husband is unskilled and earns under £100
a month, their only other income is £10 a month from the state for each child. They live illegally in a single room, so
could be turned onto the streets. They are so very very grateful for the help
from Jersey.
WE BELIEVE EDUCATION IS VITAL
Sebi is sponsored from Jersey to attend high
school. Later he should be able to get a good job.
HOPE & NEW FRIENDS
“We were introduced to AGAPE who focus
on educating and equipping teenage orphans for the future”.
They
have set up a business making cards by hand and employ several orphans. It is
their main way to raise funds.
“We were impressed with the love and
practical care at Agape”
SHORT OF FUNDING
“We were
shocked to hear Speranta Familiei are very short of funds. They have decided to
convert half the building they own into a coffee shop which we hope will allow
them to continue their outreach to single parents and other needy children.”
“Privileged,
humbled, rewarded, challenged, concerned” is how we would sum up our feelings
after this trip to Romania.
“We are
seriously concerned about the reduction in pensions for the most vulnerable and
at how the general dissatisfaction in the country and ongoing strikes will end.
As always we were privileged to go to Romania, we thank all our supporters and
hope this report informs and encourages them and we thank God for bringing us
back safely to Jersey” ~ Rose and Phil
SOME WAYS YOU CAN HELP: