Weekly update 45/21

After a week full of efforts, we can look back with satisfaction on a great result, we succeeded in making 4.200 beautiful Christmas gifts!

The delivery of the products now came through the Spar organization for the second time. Wilco Linnenbank franchisee of a Spar store in Zaandijk was able to arrange for two trailers of food to be delivered from the distribution center in Waalwijk to Broek op Langedijk. This in good conditions and for a fair price.

We had to temporarily relocate our stock that we could not put in the packages. The stock that could fit in the packages had to be placed in the right place on the roller conveyor. On Tuesday, the order for the Spar was added and the set-up that Jan Valk had developed could be put into practice. Wednesday we made some adjustments and made a number of test packages. The catering team was busy making sure that the volunteers would feel welcome and that the inner man could be provided on time.
Extra care this time was how to deal with the corona measures. The decision that every present had to have a valid QR code worked well.

Still on the assembly line at a later age.

Thursday and Friday was the day, on average there were about sixty volunteers active per day. Hard work was done in a relatively calm atmosphere and the production went smoothly and without major hiccups. The arrangement devised by Jan worked well and we were fortunate that there were enough people to help. The percentage of over-65s was high, I think Jan Koens from Amsterdam was the oldest in a few months, 84 years. 

The auxiliary troops sometimes came from far, for example from Almere and Bilthoven.

                                                                               Until a few years ago, Jan still makes

many motorcycle rides with his BMW.

On Friday afternoon at three o'clock there were 4.204 packages on pallets ready for shipment and by four o'clock everything had been cleared up again. The catering team did a good job, everyone was positive about it. During lunch and coffee breaks it was a great opportunity to catch up with old acquaintances.

Nice to see that this action could count on so much sympathy and that so many people got involved. Thanks to everyone who made this possible, the volunteers, sponsors and those who could make goods available. It is certain that your help will end up well, especially in this difficult time.

Here is the link to some photos.

Of course the people at our distribution points in Romania are following this action with great interest and they are pleasantly surprised that this has been successful. Handing out is quite a job for them and the distressing situation some people live in sometimes lingers on their minds for a while after delivering a package. Together with our local people, we will ensure that the parcels really reach the poorest of the poor.

The messages and photos of where the packages are eventually placed on the table will be on this blog.

Cristi from Botosani again sent pictures of the distribution of the relief goods received through us but also from Romanian companies.

Here is the link to some photos.

Happy with a Dutch knitting.

From Breaza a lot of stuff has also been collected by the various aid workers who are active in the region. For example the peppers of St. Manna, the hospital beds and clothing. It's like an oil slick, the activities in Breaza of Csaba and Imola are expanding.

Here is the link to some photos.

Reghina from Ticau also sent photos, among others, of a lady who is cooking on her new wood stove. Just like distributing food that she can buy in her hometown and distribute to poor families. Sponsors who make this possible do a good job with this. For most of us it is impossible to imagine no food on the table, how different it is for the poorest part of the population in Romania. Children go to bed with an empty stomach, unfortunately it is common.

Here is the link to some photos.

Toth Attila was also happy with the goods and sent a few photos of the handing out.

Here is the link to some photos.

Paul from Getz sent some photos from the after-school care, good of him for bringing some joy to these children. Unfortunately, there are many infections in Getz.

Here is the link to some photos.

In the coming week we will return our stock that we have temporarily stored to our storage facility at 20 Dulleweg in Broek op Langedijk. There are pick-up jobs on Wednesdays.