Weekly update 43/22

It is now unusually warm in Europe, climatically this is not correct, but it is just as convenient. Energy costs are really going to be a problem and the biggest problems are the people who don't have the money to cover it.

It emerged from conversations with some of our contacts in Romania that people are afraid of the consequences of the coming winter. The cost of energy is skyrocketing and it's hard to understand why. Many people can no longer pay the bill for gas and electricity. Not paying for two months is closing and then you are left in the dark and the cold. If it seriously freezes, the water pipes also freeze and break. There is little or no social safety net for these people. Getting enough food in the house is also a big problem. New poor people are added every day, people are losing their jobs because companies are closing.

In Ukraine it is all even worse, with the bombings mainly aimed at destroying electricity plants, etc. The consequences are enormous, especially if it starts freezing soon.

The originator of this misery lives in Moscow. Frank Hendricks wrote a column worth reading about this person.

Here is the link to this article

On Wednesday, October 26, two empty trucks were standing in front of our storage facility in Broek op Langedijk. We loaded the first for the Csaba and Imola depot in Breaza and the second for the Van Cristi depot in Botosani. There were still some pick-up jobs and the goods to be loaded consisted partly of furniture for nurseries. Nice and usable stuff but difficult to load. It has been a long day but it went well and everything worked out. Truck numbers 44 and 45 went to Romania with a nice load of relief supplies. The importance of our aid transports is increasing and that has a motivating effect on all involved. This work would not be possible without volunteers and sponsors, so we are grateful for all the support.

Here the link to pictures of loading for Botosani.

Here the link to pictures of the loading for Breaza.

For several weeks I have been writing about the construction of a house in a village near Urmenis. This for the benefit of a shepherd's wife and two small children (the third is on the way) who live in a ramshackle caravan. Weekly Report 38 contains more information about why.

After we could decide that construction could start, it went quickly. Within a few weeks a beautiful solid well insulated house of 30 m2 has been built. In the lead role in this process Elena from Urmenis, who did the arrangements with the municipality and supervised the future residents. Csaba Fazakas with supervising the construction and partly purchasing the materials. The people of the construction company, owned by a brother of Toth Attila from Peris, have done quality work. This without surprising us afterwards with the often controversial post extra work. Great hardworking craftsmen who work long hours to earn a living.

Several times I was in contact with Csaba about the progress, difficulties have hardly
occurred. The neighbor supplied power for the machines, it is a cousin of the new resident. A nice and social guy, which is convenient. Of course I complimented Csaba that he was able to arrange all this in such a way. He thought my role was even more important, completely wrongly. It did make me think about how the circle works and that every link is important to achieve this result. You can want to help without sponsors, but it won't work and it won't work without good and reliable implementers. Without the right aftercare, expectations do not always come true. Everything fell into place in this case.

When the keys were handed over, the new residents were completely overwhelmed and emotional. The mayor promised that he will provide the electricity and water connection. Elena, the now well-known social worker, will take care of the social support, especially the mentally retarded mother needs this badly. The children will soon go to kindergarten and will be able to grow up under much better conditions.

Here the link to photos including those of the transfer.

The truck we loaded last Wednesday was unloaded on Saturday in Breaza.

Here is the link to photos.

Imola sent photos of Bep Runhaar's beautiful colorful knitted sweaters, nice to see.

She is very happy with this.

Here is the link to these photos.

The link to photos of activities in and around Breaza

Henk Muller from Band has been busy again, he does a lot, good to see that there is another children's program. According to Henk, food stamps are made available to people who really have almost no income. I don't know yet whether this arrangement is for everyone in Romania or only locally.

Here the link to photos with an explanation of Henk.

Reghina from Ticau sent a few video messages about her work.

Here is the link to pictures.

It had come to my attention that the Romanian government has money available for people and organizations that receive refugees from Ukraine. Cristi wrote about the great work he and others have done for these people. The government contribution was zero, unattainable for them. As now, they are dependent on charitable organizations for this.

Here is the link to Cristi's story.

The truck relief supplies that we loaded on Wednesday will be unloaded in Botosani next Monday. A truck came from Austria on Saturday to unload relief supplies from this country. Nice stuff but poorly loaded, transporting air in this way is expensive.

Here is the link to photos.

Viorel and Elena from Deaj also do their best every week with assistance to the people in their area. Glad we can help them with this. The bread making seems to have stopped, probably because of the cost. We'll see if we can find a solution. More on this next week.

Here is the link to photos.

The preparations for the package promotion are in full swing, some of the goods have arrived in Broek op Langedijk. The rest will follow shortly. We can still use stuff to complete the packages.

The invitations to help pack on November 10 and 11 have gone out. Your help is needed to make this a success. Didn't receive an invitation and do you want to participate in this beautiful event? Call 06 28941795 or send a message to info@stichtingpromotie.nl