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After 16 months of operation –
Cihei
Children’s Centre has got House Parents.
Maria & Danny Toma take up the residential appointment from September 1st.
Maria will be the Social Mother to the Children’s Centre, supported by the
professional team already working in Smiles – Claudia (Doctor) Mioara
(Social Worker) and of course Director of the CCC project, Georgi Opreanu.
Maria has a law degree, but also worked as Director of a Gypsy School in
Bihor county for another foundation but has wanted to work for Smiles for
several years. We are delighted to have Maria & Danny join us with their
one year daughter, Daria.
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The House in
Salard, needed for the
family who faced tragedy in June losing their home and 5 year old daughter
in a house fire, has been built in less than 6 weeks. The family have
already moved in!
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Fresh, Clean Water in the
Tileagd Gypsy Community from the new well – nearly 100 metres
(330 foot) deep. Piped, Insulated and Flowing in just 21 days!!
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The
Tileagd School
and
Nursery has been overwhelmed with registration
requests to start school on September 15th. As total number of
children swells to 144, we now have over 40% Romanian children joining the
Gypsy kids of Tileagd. Integration is what everyone wants. What Government
has failed to achieve, The Smiles Foundation has – the difference? GOD,
with whom, All Things are Possible.
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Progress with Phase 2 of the
Tileagd
Community Complex
has been very positive and now the
true shape of what’s to come can be seen. Completion of the Walls and Roof
is expected by September 14th. Then we start installing
Windows, Doors, Plumbing and Electrics before plastering is started on
both interior and exterior to secure the building for winter.
A tentative date for the Grand Opening of the entire Community
Complex has been set for June 8th 2008. The first of
the
2008
summer Mission Trips.
Book early to be a part of this exciting and momentous Day in Tileagd
History.
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In August, our
Emergency Housing Unit
was full, which although sad that so many emergencies exist,
it’s wonderful to know that Smiles is able to be there when disaster
strikes. Three families were able to take advantage of the Emergency
Shelter provided and we trust support for the EHU will continue for us to
provide this essential service.
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With the Summer over, we are getting excited
now for the
Making More
Smiles Tour in the UK, starting September 27th.
The full itinerary is now on the site but additional information is
available from the UK office on 0113-216-5796.
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Completion of our
Romanian language web-site
which we believe will be a great encouragement to our
Romanian readers. Well done to our Romanian Management Graduate, Octavia
Cimpoca for tackling the huge task with such great results.
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The
Mission Trips
were an incredible experience and 233 people have done so much to change
the lives of so many in Romania. Many will never be the same again. A
selection of
comments
from our visitors book
is posted on the site this month, but one comment that speaks for many was
this one:
“I was hoping that when I came
to Romania that I would change a life or bring someone closer to God – the
funny this is – Romania changed my life and brought me closer to God”
That’s our desire in Smiles – to change lives
and draw people closer to God.
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It was a very successful month!