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A Special Report
UK Smiles Open Day / Conferences for 2008 |
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March 8th Troon,
Scotland
Ann Cowan, Development Associate for Scotland thanks everyone who
supported Smiles by coming and supplying the wonderful food for the
day.
It was fantastic to welcome our special guests from Romania, Guiry
and Meda Rostas, Dr Ema Buzle and Pastor Ovidiu Butnaru. There
input was not only emotional but truly uplifting. It never ceases to
amaze me how much is achieved each year by Smiles in Romania and we
were reminded of how much our continued support is needed.
Testimonies from those on recent mission trips were fantastic and very
entertaining. It is very evident that after visiting Romania people
come back on fire to help even more and to encourage others to get
involved with Smiles in any way they can.
 Mrs
Stevens, a teacher from Marr College talked about her experience on
the Educational Challenge 2007. It was obvious to everyone who was
there, that if Mrs Stevens can get involved with Smiles, anyone can!
From not really wanting to go herself last year, and being
unbelievably cynical, Mrs Stevens has now done a complete turn around
in her thinking and has been instrumental in arranging a school trip
for senior pupils from Marr College over to Romania in October this
year. We hope that others will also be encouraged after the
Educational Trip this year.
We were encouraged to think about if we could arrange a Church
Challenge and or even get businesses we have links with involved
in Corporate Challenges in Romania.
We were reminded of the Opening Ceremony for the Complex in Tileagd
on 7th and 8th June and encouraged to keep
fundraising to meet the costs of finishing the building and equipping
the complex.
Fun days and events throughout the month of May were suggested
instead of sticking to just one day as a focus. Various events are on
the fundraising page on the website and enable us to support each
other in our efforts. A special mention was made about using
www.justgiving.com for sponsored events and
to make them real fun!
Kevin shared his plans for the future, including the planned
Nursing Home for the Elderly and the Disabled Children’s facility
and Mhari Cowan shared the early ideas of a Smiles Club for
kids. Watch the website and regular updates for more details as things
develop.
We sure had a great day in Troon on March 8th.
Ann Cowan
DA Scotland
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March 9th
Belfast, Northern Ireland
The Smiles Conference in
Northern Ireland was very well attended by a mixture of previous
mission trippers, ongoing supporters and prospective mission
trippers. Reports from Dr Ema,
 Guiry
and Meda and Pastor Ovidiu gave an up to date appraisal of what is
happening in Tileagd along with hopes and prayers for the future.
Kevin reported on the progress of the Community Complex which
is near completion and about his plans to build the assisted living
facility for the disabled and elderly.
Audrey Wilson from Ardstraw shared her mission trip experience
from last summer. She was able to describe and show pictures of how
rapidly building sites have become bespoke homes to care for children
and the abused. She also showed pictures from inside the new school
and expressed her admiration for Kevin’s vision and hard work.
Fiona and Rachel Presho also shared their mission trip memories
from last summer and winter and about how much these trips had meant
to them.
Kevin showed pictures from the new gypsy community in Salard
which Smiles has
started to help. The appalling housing conditions are truly shocking
and recent mission trippers have been horrified by the deprivation
people endure.
Kevin thanked Northern Ireland supporters for their continued
generosity to the Smiles Foundation projects and made particular
reference to the building of the new Dental facility which has been
provided with much valuable dental equipment donated by Northern Irish
dentists.
A great day and we look forward to next year in anticipation.
Penny Kennedy
DA for Northern Ireland & Eire
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March 15th Report on
Smiles Conference, England & Wales
A very successful
Conference for England and Wales was held in Chesterfield on 15th
March. Over 50 delegates from as far afield as Essex and
Redcar attended the event held in the beautiful new church of St
John’s in Walton. Reflections on th e
previous year’s events and plans for the future were given by Chief
Executive Kevin Hoy, together with details of the Grand Opening of
the Community Complex in June. Moving testimonies were given by 3
mission trippers about their experiences, and the Conference was
enthralled when Guiry and Meda and Dr Ema spoke so passionately
about how Smiles has changed their lives.
The entire conference were delighted to meet the newly appointed
Pastor for Tileagd, Ovidiu, a charming young man with a heart for
the Lord and desire to reach the people of Tileagd.
Approximately half of the delegates this year were new to Conference
and one commented: “… after attending Conference it we really
felt like we’re becoming part of the Smiles family.” And from
an old friend: “Conference was an i nspiration
to reflect on the Smiles journey, see staff from Romania and UK, and
enjoy fellowship with supporters from previous mission trips.”
The day was informative, encouraging and inspirational shared with
warm people, in a superb facility with good food.
Anna Quelch
DA for England & Wales
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