Weekly update 10/26 Engels

Package campaign for Romania is finished!

Monday, March 9

The setup for making the packages was prepared. Under the leadership of Jan Valk, this proceeded quickly and smoothly. In the course of the afternoon, a trailer with baking flour from Marghita arrived.

Here is the link to a photo album.

Tuesday, March 10

The final part of the purchases was picked up at the Lidl branch in Heerhugowaard. Marcel and his team provided us with excellent assistance in this. Thanks to their cooperation and advice, we were able to purchase good products at a reasonable price. Together with the products we received from companies, institutions, and other organizations, we were able to put together a beautiful and useful package.

In the evening, two youth clubs from the Reformed Church in Broek op Langedijk came to help with the packing along with their supervisors. With great enthusiasm, they took on 1,000 of the 5,700 packages.

Here is the link to a photo album. 

Wednesday, March 11

This morning, the final preparations were made for the major packing days. The catering was also set up. Soon, the tables and chairs were in place, and everything was ready to go. The management of the Hesva catering department does important work. During the work, coffee, soup, sandwiches, and snacks were well provided for in between. Important for such a tough job, and good for the atmosphere and team spirit.

Here is the link to a photo album.

Thursday, March 12

The first major packing day; fortunately, many people came to help again: about 80 volunteers, both familiar faces and new participants. After a short introduction from me and instructions from Jan, the conveyor belt soon started running at full speed.

With a top speed of 600 packages per hour, 2,700 packages were packed that day. The first trailer could be loaded immediately with 1,320 packages and the necessary additional cargo.

Here is the link to a photo album. 

Friday, March 13

Despite the rain, many volunteers came to help again. The atmosphere was, just like the previous days, good and pleasant.

For a moment, it seemed like a shortage of products might arise, but thanks to people in our network, that was quickly resolved. The conveyor belt kept running until 1:00 PM, and by then the last 2,000 packages were ready. In the meantime, another trailer was loaded with the same contents as the one from Thursday. After the closing lunch, everyone cleaned up together.

Unfortunately, Hermien fell when she made a misstep from an empty pallet. She sustained a broken wrist in the process. We wish her a speedy recovery.

Here is the link to a photo album.

Next Wednesday, two more trailers will be loaded, and one more on Thursday. After that, all packages will be on their way to the various depots in Romania, where distribution will begin shortly.

To everyone who helped: thank you very much for your tremendous effort! See you next time. A few more messages from some aid workers on the ground; it immediately gives a good impression of why we do what we do.

Below is a photo album of the activities of Viorel and Elena from Deaj.

Here is the link to a photo album.

Below is a photo album of the activities of Marin and Eniko from Band.

In this neighborhood, the father of a large family passed away at a far too young age. The children's mother is ill.

Here is the link to a photo album.

The photo album below is the last one for this week. They are from Joszi and his team from Tirgu Mures.

Here is the link to a photo album.

Next time, more messages from our contacts in Romania.