Mustard Seed Jersey’s Project to build a Home for
needy pensioners in Romania
As time had passed Mustard
Seed Jersey representatives had grown increasingly aware that the neediest
group in
A number of pensioners are
assisted through Mustard Seed Jersey’s Adopt a Granny
sponsorship programme but after visiting the homes of some of the sponsored
pensioners, it became evident that for a comparatively small number a home was
needed as their living accommodation was impossible and in some cases literally
non-existent!
[The Adopt a Granny scheme aims to give a helping hand
(either just in the winter or throughout the year) and often the financial
support means the pensioner can manage. Often
with that promise of help the family know they can care for their loved
one which has to be the best solution.]
In May 2007 the appeal was
launched for £65,000 to build a home for pensioners in need in Cefa
By the late winter 2009 the
whole amount was pledged or donated and the building began.
At the end of May 2009 the
home was officially opened and named CASA MABEL. On the name plaque in
The picture shows Rose Helie of Mustard
Seed Jersey, Alex Stroie of Mustard Seed Romania, the local member of
parliament for Cefa area and the Mayor of Cefa standing in front of Casa Mabel at the opening in May 2009.
Downstairs at Casa Mabel there is a large communal area with kitchen,
dining area and lounge and 3 double rooms with en suite facilities. It was
decided that until stair lifts are donated and fitted it will not be possible
for elderly pensioners to have rooms upstairs.
Upstairs is another smaller communal area, seven double rooms and a
bathroom block. Two of the upstairs rooms are designated for staff and another
may be used for secure storage / administration area.
6 younger women moved into the upstairs part of Casa Mabel – one a
medical pensioner, another is her carer, another a social worker. There were
also 4 young women from Mustard Seed Jersey’s programme to assist vulnerable
young women brought up in the state orphanage system – without support and life
skills these young women are at risk and at times end up living on the streets,
turn to prostitution or may end up being as victims of people trafficking
(people trafficking is a big problem in Romania). The combination of younger
and older in Casa Mabel is working well and it has increasingly the atmosphere
of a happy family home.
In the lounge area at Casa
Mabel all furniture has come on the Mustard Seed lorry from
