Weekly update 28/26 Engels

Gerrit, Nico, and I have had a wonderful and interesting trip to Romania. We were also very lucky with the weather. No (too) high temperatures, but some rain and a few heavy thunderstorms. Several times, our phones even started sounding a weather alert due to this natural phenomenon.

It is a pleasant time on Attila's farm. The harvest season has started earlier than usual, and this is the time when the results of all the efforts become visible. The vegetables and potatoes are growing well and, thanks in part to the irrigation system, are yielding a good harvest. The wheat was less successful because it was far too dry at a crucial moment in the growing season. The barley, however, was successful, with a good yield and a reasonable price. Rapeseed is a top product this year. There is high demand for it, and Attila has managed to achieve an excellent yield in kilos per hectare even the highest in the wider area.

Visit to the farm July 2026

It is possible to donate a portion of the vegetable production to poor people, as well as to nursing homes, children's homes, and so on. For a number of these institutions, this is crucial; without this help, their continued existence is at risk. The Romanian government is providing less funding to these institutions, and costs are rising rapidly, partly due to the strict regulations imposed by that same government. The organization of food banks in Romania is becoming increasingly important and professional. We visited the organization's new location in Oradea, where farm-produced vegetables and potatoes are also distributed.

A few photos of the visit to the Oradea food bank

Afterwards, we visited the enormous fresh market in Oradea, where shopkeepers and private individuals do their shopping. The selection was overwhelming, but unfortunately, interest in shopping here is declining. The large supermarket chains have other sourcing channels, and consumers are increasingly using supermarkets due to the convenience and smaller packaging available there.

Visit to the Westmarkt Oradea

Regarding our foundation's projects, we visited several families in Târgu Mureș again, together with Joszi. Our first visit was to Claudia, who lived under a small roof with her three children and is now staying in a residential container thanks to our efforts. The location is good; it is a beautiful spot. Claudia and her children looked neat. However, it was disappointing that the amount of garbage around her little house kept increasing. She now has a new boyfriend and is expecting her fourth child (!).

After I spoke to her about the mess, they started cleaning up immediately. When I asked her what she had done that day and what she was going to do, she told me that she had helped unload a truck full of melons at the vegetable market. She had earned twelve euros doing that. Furthermore, she was going to make goulash that day. Joszi remains positive about her and will continue to support the family, and especially the children. Clean clothes, going to school, and extra guidance remain the primary requirements.

However, a slight disappointment also surfaced within me, which I expressed to Claudia. Her choices are difficult to understand. Why start a new relationship and bring another child into the world while the circumstances are still so fragile?

After that, we visited another young family living in a very dilapidated shack. The young father made a serious impression and is doing his utmost in his own way to provide well for his family. If we could arrange a shipping container for this family, it would significantly improve their situation. When I asked if the old shack would then be demolished, he replied: "No, my father and mother will move into it." After all, they currently live in an even worse shack and, moreover, have to pay rent for it.

The child benefit does not end up with the family itself, but goes to the person to whom they owe money. That is the owner of a small shop, who lends money for the things they need. In exchange, they have to hand over their identity card. The postman then pays out the child benefit to whoever can show the identity card (!). With poorly paid jobs as a day laborer, the young father tries to pay off the debt.

While we were discussing this, a neatly dressed lady in snow-white trousers came to interfere. Joszi later said that she is the wife of someone who offers such loan arrangements. Meanwhile, a hut away, an angry mother with a child in her arms tried to kick down the door. It painted a poignant picture of the tensions under which many families live.

Afterwards, we visited the man with the amputated lower leg, who has been living in a residential container for several years thanks to our foundation. A prosthesis has finally been fitted and will be ready soon. He is receiving a special shoe for his other foot. He lost his lower leg after working in the woods during a harsh winter without proper clothing and shoes, causing his feet to freeze, with all the resulting consequences.

An acute problem is that he has not received a disability benefit for five weeks. His identity card has expired; that could be the cause. Joszi is going to help him with this. Lately, municipalities have been making it increasingly difficult to issue new identity cards, especially when someone does not have an official residential address.

Some time ago, Joszi suggested the idea of ​​replacing fifteen uninhabitable huts with small, solid homes all at once. Such a plan requires a lot of money and must therefore be well-substantiated. We intended to discuss this with the mayor of Targu Mures. Unfortunately, that was not possible due to his vacation. He also has plans and ideas of his own and would like to share them with us in the near future. This will therefore certainly have a follow-up.

Here is the link to a photo album

After this visit, we visited Tóth Attila's pig farm. It is always wonderful to see how well the animals are cared for there and how they live in ideal conditions. 

Here is the link to a photo album

We drove back to Breaza via a beautiful little road. On the way, there was still plenty to discuss. Breaza is always a pleasant home base, from which Csaba and Imola manage to realize many beautiful and valuable initiatives.

Joszi from Targu Mures and his team are doing important work; a number of children who help with small chores and sometimes stay overnight due to their home situation see how things can be done differently and learn from it.

Here is the link to a photo album

Viorel and Elena from Deaj do a lot of good work, as is well known; I received another beautiful series of photos and a brief explanation.

Here is the link to a photo album

Reghina from Ticău has had a busy week. Many goods arrived from the farm in Marghita, allowing for a lot to be distributed. In addition, various activities were organized for the children. It was a hive of activity, in which many children and adults participated with great pleasure.

Here is the link to a photo album

Toth Attila from Peris was busy with successful children's camps with many participants.

Here is the link to a photo album

Marin and Enikő have fully dedicated themselves to the construction work, distributing shoes, and providing meals this week. Thanks to their efforts, many people could be helped once again.

Here is the link to a photo album

Henk Muller made a collection round through the Netherlands. He brought part of the collected goods to our warehouse in Broek op Langedijk.

During his stay, he was asked to help friends cut down an old beech tree. Unfortunately, a heavy branch fell on his arm, resulting in a shoulder injury. As a result, he will return to Romania somewhat later.

We wish Henk a speedy recovery.

Here is the link to a photo album.

This episode of the blog makes it clear once again how important and valuable our work is. This coming Wednesday, we are loading a trailer with relief supplies, which will then depart for Breaza.

Thanks to the efforts of our volunteers and the support of our donors, we can continue to help the people there.