A SHELTER FOR YOU
Updates are found at the bottom of the page (1st July, 2008)
Publications
- Video - (mp4). We recommend you use VLC to play the movie,
- Brochure (Publisher), GIF (page 1, page 2),
- Poster (Publisher), GIF (here), JPEG, (here).
You will find below, a summary of Previous Projects, the Background to the Current Project, the Details of this Summer's Project - A Shelter for You, including dates, cost and travel arrangements.
Previous Projects
This is the third time the Scottish Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has organized a group of young people from Scotland to travel to Romania to help those facing the cruel realities of life in some areas of the country. On the first trip, the team built two houses for poor people in Bolintin; on the second trip the team helped rebuild three houses for residents affected by the floods of 2005 and fully renovated a local crèche.
Current Project - Background
On this occasion, the group will travel to Zarnesti to assist ADRA in building low-cost houses for eight families in the area, in a joint venture with the local government. Zarnesti, a town located in a picturesque valley between two famous mountain ranges in Romania - Bucegi and Piatra Craiului - saw the closure of the local ammunition factory shortly after the fall of the communist regime leaving the residents without a source of income or the ability to maintain their homes. Entire blocks of flats and houses fell into a state of disrepair which rendered the buildings uninhabitable. When the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) visited the area this winter, they found families seeking shelter in abandoned buildings and even under the open sky. In the meantime, a local volunteer took the initiative to mobilize the locals into renovating the decrepit flats, in an attempt not only to improve their living conditions, but also restoring a sense of self-worth and dignity.
At the moment, one block of flats has been renovated to an acceptable standard of living with the second one is waiting for availability of funds. ADRA joined forces with locals with a passion for their fellow neighbours and put together a three phase plan of action: building low-cost houses for eight families, building a community centre, and employing a social worker and a counsellor to help the people reintegrate into society.
SUMMER PROJECT 2008 - DETAILS
For two weeks this summer (7-20 July), a team of young volunteers from Scotland will partner with young people from various parts of Romania in order to help the completion of the first low-cost house for three families without a shelter.
While one team will be working on the building site, another team will be putting on vacation programs for the children. This work will take place outdoors as well as in a recently converted steel container which functions as the meeting place for the children during the cold months of the year.
DATES
- 7-20 July 2008
COST - a three layer financial arrangement
- Each individual is expected to raise £400 all of which will go directly towards the project itself
- Each individual is responsible for the cost of international travel (the flights from Scotland to Romania). We are expecting this will cost in the region of £200.
- The Scottish Mission of the SDA will contribute £200 towards each individual participating, to cover the cost of local travel, accommodation and food, while in Romania.
Travel Arrangements (updated 1st July)
- Team 1 - Yvonne, Karl, Charles, Nikhil, Mark, Mikey, Lisa, Maroria, Marcel - will travel from Durham to Bucharest (via Amsterdam), leaving 17:35 on the 7th July and arriving 00:30 on the 8th July. We will be traveling by minibus to Durham and again by minibus from Bucharest to Zarnesti.
- Lisa, Yvonne, Marc and Mikey will meet Harry Wilby at the church in Crieff before 09:30 in order to be ready to leave at that time
- Karl may wish to sleep at my house on Sunday evening, so we can pick up Charles, Maroria and Nikhl at the Oroko house at 10:00.
- The two cars will meet at the Hamilton Service Station at 11:00 (if 10:30, even better) in order to travel together.
- Team 2 - Claudette and Josh - will travel from Edinburgh to Bucharest (via Amsterdam) leaving 16:35 on the 10th July and arriving 00:30 on the 11th July.
- Judy will meet up with Claudette & Josh in Amsterdaam on Thursday evening.
- Both teams will be traveling back on the 20th July, leaving Bucharest at 17: 40 and arriving in Durham at 21:50 and Edinburgh at 22:20 respectively. Those who travel via Durham will come back up to Scotland by minibus.
- All young people from Romania interested in joining the Scottish team, please, contact Pr. Horea Tamasan (0766568446) to register your interest in participating in the project.
WHAT TO BRING (updated 1st July)
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat
- Hiking boots
- Personal Medication
- Suggested amount of pocket money - no more than £50
- If you bring your own electronic devices - you will require a two pin adapter
- In case of emergency, I can be contacted on the following Romanian mobile number ...
- Your own Bible
Program of Work (upated 1st July)
WHAT TO DO NEXT?
- If you are interested in this project, please, let Marcel know about your interest asap, using any of the contact details found here. We have two weeks to put the team together and your quick response will be greatly appreciated.