Importance Of Taking The First Step


One of the joys of the Mercy Mission in Romania is to see that something practical can be done and is being done as each need arises. For example, a lovely dream was to house some abandoned children in a truly family atmosphere. "Nazareth" was the answer!

Elderly people with great needs sat lonely and hungry in high-rise
apartments.

"Meals on Wheels" and weekly visits from youth brought joy and
comfort there. Street children - hungry and in need of direction in
their lives, have developed and matured in a wonderful way through having a free meal, daily, and also through being guided to study (three now at University, others in employment).
Now - where many children are in great need of care, support and, if possible, education - are many orphanages.

The Sisters of Mercy mission was requested to visit such an
institution in Tancabesti, about 30 miles from Bucharest. Filled with
hope that we could meet the challenge we set out. Conditions there were less than basic. Over 80 children, ranging from babies to 18yr olds were housed there. People from the local area were employed to work but, despite an offer of a teacher's wage, no professional people want to work so far from the capital.

Helping us to see this place, are:
(a) The Mercy Union Central Fund
(b) The "Helping Hand Appeal" through Mr. Harrison Watson
(c) The Doherty family and friends, Derry

Our dream is that when the house is set in order and proper
classrooms established and furnished some dedicated volunteers...
...will appear to take on the education of the children who are educable.

I can only summarize what we have done to bring some hope and level of improvement:
- A music system has been set up
- A well equipped gymnastics room is now the joy of the children who are always slow to leave the climbing frames, trampolines, tennis tables, etc.
Now we are having a playroom set up and hope to have an outdoor play area.
Toilets for boys and others for girls have been really brought up to standard and showers of course have been included.
Four times we have brought new clothes and food for each child and, lately we have presented the orphanage with new bed-sets for every bed.

Daily in the hospital we find many abandoned children - ill, in need of operations and certainly in need of love and care. The more volunteers the better!
We have had the joy of being allowed to take some of these children from the Oncology Ward out to a park and even to a boat ride.
Parents too need caring and support and, many times we have had the privilege of helping the poorest to meet the cost of a funeral.


Challenges galore!
Sister Mary Aloysius