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S p e c i a l R e p o r t
Essex High
Sheriff ‘Partnership Programme’ visit to Romania
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As the plane touched down on our return to
the UK I was able to reflect on a number of firsts for our group. Over
the past week they had achieved many including flying, travelling
abroad, helping and thinking of others not related to themselves,
abstaining from alcohol and most importantly coming to terms with the
facts that maybe their lives were not as fragile as some.
Just a week ago, we had arrived
tired, restless and hungry at the Cihei
centre after a 12 hour journey from Southend on Sea, Essex.
The group consisted of
six young people aged 16 -19 who are participating on the Essex High
Sheriff partnership programme [an
Initiative to improve the life chances of Looked after Young People -
Leaving Care using a multi-agency partnership approach] and through
the misfortune of birth, or circumstance, found themselves as part of
the fostering and looked after children system.
Prior to our visit they had spoken of their concerns and fears in
relation to Romania and what may lay ahead. Little did they know, just
how much it would change their thinking and their approach to life.
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Day 1 & 2
0800 hrs on Day one at the centre and everyone was up [now there’s a
good start] and after a refreshing breakfast on their way to the
first visit of the day. With much nervous laughter and activity in
the van we arrived at Oradea and the residence of a family who were
due to be evicted due to redevelopment. Once inside we were greeted
by some of the worst conditions I had, and others within the group,
ever seen. We found a eighty year old woman and her mentally
disabled daughter struggling to survive the winter. With no fuel for
the fire or food, conditions were at best, uncomfortable.
From the cold and bare mud floors to the large and dangerous crack
in the wall above the old lady’s bed, which following a harsh winter
would collapse without warning, did nothing to reaffirm that this
was a way of life they could get used to.
The young people had prior to leaving the centre had been given
food, drink and logs for the fire. They at once knew what to do and
began earnestly helping set out the food and get the logs by the
fire. I have to admit that as we left tears were shed, amongst the
group, for what seemed to be the hopelessness of the situation.
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BIHARIA
However,
Kevin explained that hope was at hand as we made our way to Biharia
housing project No.3. He explained that the Smiles foundation had
purchased a property where they hoped to relocate the family just
visited.
Our job was to get it ready for them along with other groups that
would visit in the next few months. After explaining the situation as
to the state of the property, which was confirmed by the nauseating
smells emitting from the furniture, clothing and excrement left behind
he asked if we would clean the walls, ceilings and remove the
furniture etc.
If I’m honest I thought this could prove difficult. As a fire-fighter,
I had been in many places similar and I know that even getting
hardened fire-fighters to do this work would not be without its
problems. To my delight I turned around, after taking some interior
photographs as a record, and the group were into their boiler suits,
masks and with cleaning tools in hand were straight in the property. I
asked them after why they had been so enthusiastic and as one
responded, if they could help the family to get a better life and
living standard then what were a few smells. We returned the next day
and added a coat of paint to the walls and ceiling to brighten up the
place. With other groups left to finish the floors and furnishing,
together with some structural work, it was anticipated that the family
could move in within the next couple of months.
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SALAD
On our
way back we stopped at the village of Salad where our nurse, who was
travelling with us, was able to assist in providing medical help. We
also spent the time making acquaintances and playing with the local
children and families. We were then invited to view the circumstances
that these people of the village had to endure. In one case the
property we visited was no more than a mud and straw brick hut. The
disbelief of the group when they were told that a father and five
children lived in it, made their silence very noticeable in what had
been a noisy fun filled environment. We left sobered by the thought
but couldn’t help but admire the fact that the villagers, despite
their social circumstances, still greeted and waved us off with a
smile. |
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Day 3
Today we visited re-housing at its worst. We were taken to an area by
the railway line far from the town to the site of derelict waterworks
buildings. On approach we started to see people appear in the form of
Romany Gypsies? Our first thought was surely they don’t live here but
as Kevin explained this was the Mayors idea of alternative
accommodation following the loss of their homes due to land being
sold. Despite their harsh conditions and circumstances we were
welcomed by the elders and children alike. The group were invited into
their homes which were bare concrete walls and floors with a small
fire producing uncomfortable levels of smoke. There were no windows,
carpeting and as a group we wondered how they survive the winter.
However, the smiles on their faces and the warm welcomes showed that
they had sprit and belief and as we waved goodbye it was good to hear
the young people starting to discuss how fortunate they were compared
to the people they had visited.
Our second visit of the day was to a Romany Gypsy village were over a
number of years relationships had been built to change what was once a
‘no-go area’ to one of ‘my home is your home’. We were met by the
‘Don’ and some of the elders followed by most of their young children,
the older ones being at the purpose built school. After a time we
moved onto the purpose built school, gym and church where we were able
to participate in the classroom activities of the young students. To
finish the afternoon we were challenged to a game of football by the
local youth and willingly accepted the challenge. As is typical of
today’s English team, we were well and truly outplayed and outscored.
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Day 4
It was our final day and we awoke to a cold and frost covered land.
Today we were spending the morning delivering food parcels with the
Smiles Foundation social workers as part of their social visits. Later
in the day we attended the local gymnasium where we participated in
assisting the physically disabled in their tennis lessons. The group
learnt first hand, in the provided wheelchairs, that once you lose the
use of your legs, your hand to eye coordination isn’t as good and that
being in a wheelchair despite its obvious drawbacks wasn’t a barrier
to playing sport.
For the duration of our stay in Romania, the group met with many
different families affected in different ways, some poor, some with
mentally and physically disabled children, some old and frail. It was
a steep, and in some cases emotional, social learning curve for our
young people. More than anything, it was the feeling of helplessness
felt when faced by the desperate situations of the poorest Romanians.
However, it was these visits and our previous work which drove home
the fact that you can make a difference and one which has made them
re-evaluate their own lives and situation.
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 The
highlight for me was when they freely pledged their incentive bonus to
the Smiles Foundation and the Romanian children in need. It confirmed
just how far the young people had come since engaging with the
project.
We finished the week with a lasting impression that the good work
being undertaken by the Smiles Foundation and its visitors was indeed
making a difference to the people of Romania.
 A
difference given the social deprivation faced by the poorest
communities that was clear to see even during our short visit, and
essential.
On behalf of the High Sheriff of Essex Lady
Diana Kemp-Welch and the group I would like to extend our thanks to
the team at Smiles Foundation, for their professionalism, enthusiasm
and friendliness in ensuring that this trip is one that will stay in
the memory of the group for many years to come.
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Martin Powell
Project manager
Essex High Sheriff Multi Agency Looked After Partnership
R/O South-end Fire Station
Sutton Road, Southend on Sea,
Essex SS2 5PX
Office:
01702 614433
Mobile:
07979 707961
email:
martin.powell@essex-fire.gov.uk
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service www.essex-fire.gov.uk |
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