Monday, April 4, 2011

Spring 2011 - Report #9

Thursday March 31
Another spring day with daffodils out and green grass already. We headed out to a city of Kolomia, where Vadym found a woman’s home for mentally handicapped. Last year Eric Fowler and Howard went and were impressed by the dedication of the Staff and the needs of the girls.
We too were impressed at how clean the 100 year old facility was kept and the grounds were lovely.
Heard again of the corrupt dealings of the government inspectors of these facilities, how they come unexpected and without even an inspection, levy a fine. The administrator was busy with a group of 3 other helpers, trying to answer to long lists of questions that had been sent to them prior to a visit in a weeks time. Even though the officials may tell them to change things, there are no funds given to make the changes. She says that it turns her into a beggar and she hates it.
Agreed to help with some items and will go back next week. Dan spoke to a group of the higher grade girls and I to a small group of staff.
Headed home to get some things needed and had our meeting at 5pm.  A good number out and we gave out packet of seeds to each family.
Friday April 1
Headed out again in a lovely sunny morning for a very special place in our hearts, an orphanage in the same village where we went for the funeral as well as the old people’s home and a maternity hospital. We met the orphanage administrator and gave her seeds for their large garden. She splits them up and gives them to each school teacher and the class plants a section of garden. The produce is all used for the orphanage. We left 2 boxes of clothes and then went to speak to a packed auditorium of 110 kids and about 10 or more staff. We always love speaking here as the kids are so receptive. We finished by giving out balloons that almost caused a riot as they all scrambled to get one.
We then went to the old people’s home to leave some clothes and finished up at the maternity ward to give some baby blankets for poor mothers to take home. This town is in the foot hills of the Carpathian Mountains and when a woman, who lives up in the hills gets pregnant, she comes and stays in the hospital until she has the baby as it would be very difficult to get to the hospital in a hurry. They will never let us see the women but the head nurse said that they will take pictures when they give a blanket away.
So, back to the city and market to buy product and look at prices of items we need to buy for the various homes. I should add that we always make sure that each place we visit has bibles for each person.
All for now.
Malcolm and Dan

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