The Romanian Aid Foundation & Asociatia Neemia

RoAF will be relinquishing the lease on the warehouse at Billingshurst with effect from the end of this year. Changes in the procedures for transporting and importing aid mean that the facilities at the warehouse are no longer needed. Nevertheless, we will continue to prepare and send the more limited range of items that are still needed.

A final lorry from Billingshurst is being planned for 16th November, after which the team will concentrate on ensuring that the warehouse is in good order for the next occupiers. We are extremely grateful to the property’s owners for the ability to use the warehouse for some 15 years.

The prolonged warm weather has finally given way to wintry chills but we have managed to bring in our harvest in good time. The land at the warehouse yielded a better-than-expected crop of maize which will be milled as required during the coming months. Fortunately some residents of Casa Neemia were willing to lend a hand in getting the crop into sacks for storage.

The gardens at Casa Neemia were also very productive with a variety of vegetables including potatoes, tomatoes, carrots and a variety of herbs. Last month the residents prepared jars of ‘zacuscă’, a form of ratatouille, and this month two of our Ukrainian guests showed us how to preserve the carrots and green tomatoes for use during the winter months.

The donations of food from a local supermarket has continued and the items have been of considerable help to those who receive them. We have also received sponsorship for more baby milk, again gratefully received.

This month’s featured photos

A healthy diet: Harvesting maize … Preserving vegetables … Baby milk

Warehouse memories: Full to the door … Stacks of stuff … A well-deserved break

Last month’s statistics

The monthly figures do not include food donations with a total value equivalent to £4,557

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news: October 2024

This Month’s Prayer Notes

..
Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

We have continued to receive healthy donations of clothing, bedding and other items, certainly enough to keep our packing teams occupied. We are working towards sending another consignment to Romania, probably in November. Once again, this will comprise a mixed load from Horley and from our team in south Wales.

In Romania we continue to help people in difficult circumstances but the level of desperation is not what it when we started thirty years ago. In previous years the main items for donation were clothing, bedding, household good and medical items. Now the short-time food from a local supermarket forms the major part of what we donate, certainly in terms of value. As circumstances change, the leaders of the two charities continue to review the focus of our activities, seeking to balance the available resources against the needs and opportunities.

With your help, in September we were able to distribute clothing and other items to over 200 people in Dorohoi and district; the average donation this month had a value of £5, giving a total of approximately £1,000. In addition we received short-dated food with a total retail value of around £4,400 from a local supermarket. Donation of this food is strictly monitored so that it does not compromise the trader’s normal sales.

As the war in Ukraine progresses to different areas so we receive more requests from people seeking a place of refuge. Some of our earlier guests have moved on to more permanent places and so we are able to continue to help others in this way.

The autumn season is upon us now, the distinctive colours are appearing even if the weather remains unseasonably warm. Now too is the time to start preparing for winter. One such preparation is the harvesting of the crops from our land; the maize crop was not good due to the lack of rain but good quantities of potatoes and other vegetables have been harvested at Casa Neemia. The current residents at Casa Neemia have been busy, harvesting and preserving the crops that they have grown together. In addition to a good quantity of potatoes they have also prepared a nutritious blend of tomatoes and peppers which will be a tasty addition to winter meals. One popular way of preserving our vegetables is shown in the photos below.

We are pleased to report that our old VW van has once again passed its annual technical inspection. At 23 years old it is not surprising that it requires a degree of ‘tender loving care’ but, despite that, it has continued to serve us well.

From time to time we receive visits from supporters who want to come and see for themselves how RoAF and AN are helping. These visits are encouraging, both for our team and for the people we help.

This month’s featured photos

Winter warmer: Tomatoes and peppers … Sterilisation … Bon appetit!

Encouraging visits: with Marcel … with Nicoleta … with Nadia

Last month’s statistics

The monthly figures do not include food donations with a total value equivalent to £4,416

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, September, 2024

This Month’s Prayer Notes

..
Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

This month’s news

The Horley packing team has continued to meet on the first and third Fridays of each month; this year, due to a good quantity of donations, we continued through August without taking our usual break. Together with our colleagues in south Wales, we are assembling another load, hopefully for dispatch some time next month.

In Romania our team continues to keep in contact with families which we have helped previously. In many cases they no longer need the same level of support as before: this is a success and an encouragement for all those involved in providing the aid. By contrast, on a recent morning there were more than 10 people waiting at the office – other families taking the place of those who no longer ask for help.

In contrast to much of Europe, the drought conditions in north-east Romania have worsened during the past month, with a detrimental impact on food production and therefore higher prices. Home gardeners too are feeling the effects of the limited rainfall, with many having to collect water from the communal supply.

We have continued to receive short-dated food from a local supermarket chain. Another charity which cares for elderly people has joined the scheme and now receives part of the food; this has reduced the amount we receive to about £4,000 each month. This amount is easier to distribute whilst still providing a worthwhile amount of help for those in need.

We send best wishes to Ema, until recently our receptionist, who is getting married this month. Ema helped with the transition to the new statutory system of digital transaction records and we trust that she will settle well into her new life. Her duties are being covered by redeployment of the other staff together with help from two volunteers. One of them is a young man who has been helped a lot over the years and makes himself available for manual work; the other is a lady who lives adjacent to the office and enjoys the company each morning.

This month’s featured photos

The drought continues: The lake bed is dry … Our crops have suffered … Seeking refreshment

Revisiting old friends: A grateful mum … Reviving memories … Growing fast

Last month’s statistics

The monthly figures do not include food donations with a total value of £3,594

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, August 2024

This Month’s Prayer Notes

..
Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

This month’s news

We have continued to receive a good quantity of donations in Horley and in south Wales. Consequently, the Horley team will not be taking a break from packing during the month of August as in previous years. However, we would appreciate a few more sorters and packers on the first and third Friday each month.

Feedback from Romania confirms that our items are still very much in demand, often to the point of people queuing at the office. Conversely, the widespread access to online shopping has meant that there is less demand for items from the shop, with a corresponding impact on revenue.

Recently, one of our Ukrainian guests at Casa Neemia went back home to sort out some paperwork. On her return she spoke about the stress of being in a war zone, with incoming missiles and corresponding air defences almost every night. She expressed her gratitude, once again, for having a place where she can feel secure. Of course, Casa Neemia was never envisaged as a refuge for those displaced by war. Nevertheless we are happy to provide them with this help and we are pleased by the way in which those for whom it was intended have accepted the newcomers into their midst. Once again, we are grateful for those whose generosity made Casa Neemia a reality.

Ill health has affected some of our AN team during the past month. Summer ailments are prevalent but COVID has not disappeared. Being in contact with callers at the office carries the possibility of infections of various types and we have adjusted working practices to reduce the risk.

This month’s featured photos

Asking and waiting are steps towards receiving:
A humble request … The waiting room … Mobile at last

The packing teams make good progress:
These boxes won’t stay empty for long … Bernie’s got it taped … A consignment awaits transport

Last month’s statistics

The monthly figures do not include food donations with a total value of £3,008

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, July 2024

This Month’s Prayer Notes

..
Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

This month’s news

There continues to be a steady flow of items arriving with our packing teams, both in Horley and south Wales; we anticipate that we may be able to send another full lorry-load later in the year. Consequently, the Horley team will not close for the month of August this year. We could however use a couple more sorters and packers first and third Friday each month.

Once again there has been generous support for the summer camp in Romania. The camp is always well subscribed and always comes to an end far too soon. This year we took 44 people including team campers and some of our Ukrainian visitors. A special thanks to those who provided the funds necessary to give the campers a good time.

The Romanian National Institute of Statistics has published a report showing that, in 2023, almost 20% of the resident Romanian population was affected by severe material deprivation. This amounts to some 4million people; the most severely affected group are those households with dependent children, where one-third of the population is living with the risk of poverty or social exclusion. The national study excluded the benefits of home-grown food and livestock. This can make a significant difference and we try to encourage people make use of their gardens and land whenever possible.

During June we distributed clothing and household items to 123 household, a rate of about 6 households per day. These items had a total nominal value of £620 – not much in the national context but certainly a benefit to those who received them. In addition we received short-time food valued at £8,500 for donation to particularly needy households.

This month’s featured photos

At Camp: feeding our bodies … feeding our minds … feeding our spirits

Freetime activities: … …

Last month’s statistics

The monthly figures do not include food donations with a total value of £8,579

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, June, 2024

This Month’s Prayer Notes

..
Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

This month’s news

We were able to send another consignment of aid items to Romania at the end of May. As we have come to expect, there was some en-route changes to the documentation but the items have arrived safely. We have heard that the customs inspectors were impressed with the quality of the goods; we are grateful for all those who helped to prepare the load so diligently and to those who provided other support.

Otherwise May has been a month like so many others. No outstanding items of news: the goods are coming in, packing continues in Horley and in south Wales and our team members continue to get older!

In Dorohoi we have received another load of clothing, bedding and other goods from our UK colleagues. We appreciate the effort which goes into preparing these loads and are happy to pass on the thanks of those who receive the goods. In addition we have continued to receive short-dated foodstuffs from two local supermarkets; the usual shelf value of food received during May exceeded 12,600 pounds.

Laurentiu Lozneanu has been a prominent member of the AN team since its inception some 26 years ago. His maturity and advice have been invaluable, as has his willingness to be hands-on and get involved in our activities. He has been instrumental in the success of Casa Neemia and now oversees the distribution of aid from the office. Recently Laurentiu achieved that age when work becomes optional (in theory at least). He has decided to continue to work with AN, on a voluntary basis, and for that we are extremely grateful.

This month’s featured photos

Packing: Packing in the hall … in the van … in the truck

Unloading: Laurentiu lends a hand, … boxes are transferred from the pallet … to the stack

Cultivation: growth in the garden … new life in the polytunnel …

Last month’s statistics

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, May, 2024

This Month’s Prayer Notes

..
Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

This month’s news

Packing at Horley Baptist Church has continued on the first and third Friday of each month, until August; currently we are preparing about 40 boxes per month. We can now receive donated items of clothing, bedding and similar items at the church on packing days only.

Our lorry departure planned for 20th April has been delayed. We know of two other charities who have had aid consignments that failed the customs inspections and were refused permission to unload. We want to take the time to be particularly attentive to the quality of the items we send, especially how they are presented and documented. We are, of course, grateful for the continuity of donations of goods and financial support.

Recently we were able to participate in a food collection appeal at three supermarkets in Dorohoi and Darabani. The appeal was initiated by a national food-bank
and, locally, involved both AN and the Centre of Hope in Dorohoi. Teams comprising volunteers from both organisations and local churches were on hand to receive donations of basic foodstuffs such as flour, rice, etc, in advance of the Orthodox Easter. (3-5 May). About 3 tons of food was received, which will be distributed to needy families or used to provide meals at the Centre of Hope.

This collection was in addition to continuing to receive short-dated perishables as previously described. In the first three months of this year we received food with retail values averaging £9,600 per month. This food, which might otherwise have been thrown away, often includes items such as fresh fish, dairy products and imported fruit which many of the recipients would not be able to afford for themselves. Although this means an increase in our workload we consider that the benefits outweigh the effort involved.

This month’s featured photos

Deliveries:

From the packing team – From South Wales – Arriving in Dorohoi

Last month’s statistics

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, April 2024

This Month’s Prayer Notes

..
Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

In south Wales, materials continue to come. For us, packing consists of days spent in the shed continually playing catchup. we have five completed pallets ready to send to Billingshurst this week; this will give us space in our garage for the next influx.

After Easter we resumed our packing sessions at Horley Baptist Church on the first and third Friday of each month; we will still be able to receive donations on the other Fridays. The Billingshurst warehouse will be open to receive donations only by prior arrangement.

Now we have sufficient items in the warehouse to justify a load and we are planning for our next lorry to depart on the 20th April.

Official figures published at the end of March show inflation in Romania is currently in excess of 7%, some 3 times the EU average. Prices of food and services have risen rapidly and annual local taxes became due in March. There has been an adverse impact on our shop income as customers need to limit their spending on non-essentials.

Earlier in March we were introduced to a charity in Iasi which had a supply of imported clothing which is surplus to its current requirements. The quality of the items is good and hopefully it can replace some of the lost income from the shop as well as providing more items for donation.

We have received a donation of solar panels from a supporter in the UK, together with the necessary inverter and ancillary equipment. These solar panels will be installed at Casa Neemia and will allow us to supply the building’s electrical needs and to produce a surplus which can be fed back into the local supply grid.

This month’s featured photos

Room for more: Stacking up … Humble but highly productive … Loading solar panels

Spuds are us: A long way to go … Back-breaking work … Investing for a good return

Last month’s statistics

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, March, 2024

This Month’s Prayer Notes

..
Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

Goods have been arriving in generous quantities. Starting from an empty warehouse in December we now have approximately half a load ready for transport to Romania. There is a pattern in the type of clothing that we receive; very often donated items are appropriate to the season which has just finished, as wardrobes are cleared for new fashions. As AN has some stocks of suitable clothing there is no immediate need for a transport so we will wait until we can send a full lorry, probably in May.

As can be seen in the photos below, most of the goods arriving at the warehouse have already been sorted and packed; this reduces the tasks at the warehouse to the procedures for weighing, wrapping and documenting the boxes. Consequently we have decided to make a small reduction in the opening hours at the Billingshurst warehouse. It will now be open to receive donations between 09:30 and 12:00 each Saturday.

The imminent arrival of Spring brings many changes, not least in the type of clothing and bedding that we can donate. Warmer weather will mean that the items remaining from our winter stocks will be put into storage and be replaced by items received previously and which are more suited to the new season.

We have continued to receive generous donations of food from two local supermarkets. In January we received items with a commercial value exceeding £9,900. This is an arrangement brokered by a nation-wide food bank and there are limitations as to how the food can be used. There is a lot of work involved in the collection and distribution of the donations, together with preparing the necessary documentation, but we consider that the benefits are worth the additional effort.

New statutory accounting procedures require our staff to learn new software; this adds to the demands on their time and energy.

This month’s featured photos

Deliveries: From the packing team … From south Wales … Arriving in Dorohoi

At Casa Neemia: Waiting for Spring … Ukrainian art … Donated potatoes

Last month’s statistics

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, February, 2024

This Month’s Prayer Notes

..
Link to this month’s Prayer Notes

It has been said that ‘no news is good news’ and, on that basis, the resumption of our regular packing activities should be considered to be good news. We continue to receive sufficient donations to keep our teams occupied but there is still some scope for other volunteers to come and join in the fun.

Some new procedures concerning the export of goods will come into force later this year but hopefully all the bugs inherent in a new system will be resolved before we send our next lorry later in the year.

The new financial year will bring new procedures for fiscal controls in Romania; in particular it will become necessary for business accounts to be maintained electronically, using approved software. This will represent a learning curve for our staff as, to date, our computerised systems have been used mainly for keeping up to date with stock levels and donation records.

Two local branches of a national supermarket chain have continued to give us a range of food items that are nearing their sale dates. There are stringent requirements covering how we use these items, to prevent them being resold or raising any liability issues. We have established a separate procedure to account for how we distribute this food, these items are not included in our general reports about our aid distribution.

Following the start of the new year our activities generally revert to what we consider ‘normal’ so our photos this month are a reminder of how we shared some happiness at Christmas.

This month’s featured photos

• Recalling happiness at Christmas

Last month’s statistics

Stats notes:
– Joiners are new registrants this month, Leavers are are those whose latest recorded donation was 12 months ago.
– Some households may receive more than one donation during a month (eg, repeat donations of food).
– Items shown as 0 or as “…” are awaiting final returns for the month.

 
Previous month’s news, January, 2024

This Month’s Prayer Notes

..
Link to this month’s Prayer Notes