Opportunity knocks for those wishing to see at first hand just where we spend the funds raised in Northern Ireland.

We had the opportunity to travel across Romania in October 2008 as well as to visit Dorohoi. It was a great opportunity to see other areas. The contrast between rich and poor didn't escape us during our travels.

2008 Visit Gallery to follow

The town centre doesn't seem to have changed much unfortunately.

Once again we carried out a number of visits to meet local people in their homes.

Topping up our water supplies

We also had the opportunity to help a little and view the ongoing work to extend the facilities at The Centre of Hope. Funds from RANI helped to begin this building project.

The new building.

and one day later

John during his first visit to Romania meets with Peter and surveys the new building.

This year we had the opportunity to travel a little further afield and explore areas outside Dorohoi.

Sandra views the Carpathian mountains from an area known as La palma

Colin under the momument built in 1968 to comemorate the construction workers in the area.

The old bread factory in Dorohoi. Some of the out buildings now house families and we had the chance to visit. Conditions were not good.

Delberts Well between Dorohoi and Dersca.

The view from our window

Meeting again with our good friend Dan from the Brasov area.

Our hosts Peter and Lesley Butcher at the Centre of Hope

Town Centre Dorohoi with the familiar 1970s eastern block high rise in the background

It's finally condemned. We photograped the same house 3 years in a row. We don't know where the family has gone now.

Nearby the conditions have not improved.

The interior of this family dwelling is just too dark and cramped to photograph. A group from the UK plan to build a replacement dwelling for this family in the near future. During our visit traffic continued to pass by. See below.

Passing traffic. Carutsa.... Did I spell it right?

The roads are in the poorest condition we've ever seen. The long hard winter has taken it's toll. This photo is taken in the town's up market residential area. The layers of tarmac have washed away and the old cobble stones are visable again.

The RoAF aid lorry from the UK arrives safely at the depozit after a slow journey across Europe. Beni from Association Neema guides it in and we spent the day with our Romanian friends unloading much needed supplies.

An urgent visit to secure a local home.

Another local home

Our good friend Dan visiting the Roma community with us.

Dorohoi railway station. People still spend their nights on the benches here. It's not by choice.

Is this what I think it is?  WC?

As a result of our recent visit we are currently giving thought to our future programme and hope to make decisions prior to the end of July 06 about the focus of our work in Northern Ireland and Romania. The situation appears to be worse than ever in this area and we must continue our efforts.

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The focus for visits is generally to improve facilities at the Centre of Hope and to assist local families. The daily routine of assessing needs and aid sorting and distribution is ongoing and can be witnessed during a visit.

The Depozit (warehouse) at Dorohoi  in NE Romania has been refurbished. Aid from the UK is sorted here and prepared for distribution to some of the poorest people in Europe. Our visiting team normally assist with this task.

We can see gifts donated in Northern Ireland that have arrived safely at the Depozit and then personally hand deliver these to people in great need. The gifts are really appreciated and it can be quite an emotional experience. RANI team members are pictured at the Depozit with Benoni from Asociatia Neemia preparing to sort and deliver gifts from Northern Ireland.

"Providing practical Help, Comfort and Spiritual Encouragement for the people of Romania". The Centre of Hope in Dorohoi is a UK registered charity in its own right (Reg No. 11000325) operated by the God's Love in Action (GLIA (UK)) team.

The Centre of Hope playground

The story of how Peter and Lesley Butcher established this wonderful facility is one worth repeating and as you learn more of our work you will see just what a privilege it has been for our members to work in support of GLIA (UK).  The Centre of Hope provides a base for our stay and also provides daily interaction with the many children who visit the colourful playground (pictured above) which was shipped from the UK and constructed by volunteers. Nothing else like this exists in the entire area.

Face painting. New to the children of Dorohoi in 2004 and introduced by RANI members It proved very popular once it was explained to parents that this was not a permanent type of tattoo! Our Treasurer is pictured creating a new pirate.

Dorohoi is located near the NE border. If you feel that you should be visiting please speak with us. Our visiting team needs to be small in number so that we do not disrupt the daily aid work. There might well be a place for you. Just ask us to send you some information leaflets.

Photos

Dorohoi town housing

Dorohoi Post Office