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WEBSITE REPORT FROM NORTHERN IRELAND FOR SEPTEMBER 2009
Penny Kennedy – Development Associate for Northern Ireland and Eire

Penny KennedyGreetings from Northern Ireland, from where I have the opportunity to share with you all a little of our recent Smiles Activities. We have had mixed weather over the summer here in Northern Ireland and I was a little anxious about arranging a fundraising tennis tournament as the rPeter enjoying his strawberries .... a rather large bowl!!ain would play a big part in determining the numbers taking part and in the enjoyment of the whole occasion. The tournament was arranged for Sunday August 2nd at 2pm. Saturday August 1st it rained all day as did Monday 3rd but God is Good and Sunday August 2nd the sun shone, the sunglasses were on and the strawberries and cream went down a treat!
Michael Scott from Ballymena who was out in Romania this past May for his first trip had come up with the idea of a ‘Tennis Tournament’ and generously donated prizes even down to comfort prizes of big bars of chocolate for those who came last! Michael was part of the crowd from Ballymena who had helped to organise a Tournament participants enjoying the sunshinecontainer load of donated goods which arrived in Cihei May 1st. Whilst enjoying the fun and good humour of the team who came out to unpack the container, he was very moved by the poverty and deprivation he witnessed and was determined to keep working for Smiles when he got home. The tournament raised £320 ($512) and many people asked if we would soon organise another one!

Lorraine Evans from Richhill, Co Armagh enjoyed her first trip to Romania in August. This is what she had to say about her trip: “Summer 2009 was my first mission trip out with The Smiles Foundation. After a long journey, I immediately felt at home on arrival at the complex with the warm of the friendly staff. The Mission Complex was very clean, with good showers, a great bed and as I soon found out -excellent food. A very busy week was planned for us physically (and emotionally) as I joined in the day to day running of delivering food and clothes for the Family project and helping to prepare holiday bible club (VBS) activities. It was very challenging to be out and about but I have to say that the social workers demonstrated a real love and warmth for their people, not only do they do their jobs very well but they go that extra mile. I pray that God will continue to bless them and the work, giving the grace that is needed to face each new day.

We have a Development Associate team here in Northern Ireland, keeping in touch with all the dedicated and committed Smiles supporters across the Province. Myrtle Irvine who is in touch with Fermanagh supporters recently organised a bag pack at the local supermarket which raised over £1,000. Angela Murphy from Richhill along with Smiles Ambassadors, Phil and Rhonda Tedford are planning a Gala Ball in November. Rhonda and Phil have also fundraised and purchased a container which is being held in Ballymena ready to be filled with much needed supplies from the Wishlist. Neville Pogue has organised a Country and Western Concert in aid of Smiles at Benburb Presbyterian Church. Barbara Morrison, representing the North Antrim area spent a lot of time and effort organising the most recent container which was shipped out full of supplies and arrived in August. The container will be converted into a home, once emptied and likely to be used within the Smiles Homeless project. Alastair Smyth, representing the Tyrone area has all sorts of fundraising ideas up his sleeve including producing a Smiles recipe book in time for Christmas – keep an eye out for future details as it would make a brilliant stocking filler! Many people in Northern Ireland have been touched by the plight of their brothers and sisters in Romania and work hard to help them. We are really grateful for all that they do.

Peoples’ experiences on
mission trips have not only heightened their awareness of the deprivation in Romania but have also helped them make deep bonds of friendship with fellow mission trippers and strengthened their own relationships with the family, church members and friends with whom they made the trip. This has been my own experience – it is a wonderful thing and I would encourage anyone who has never been on a trip to take the plunge, and those who have been – we need you back to see the progress which has been made and to keep your fire burning!

Wishing you all God’s blessings from the team in Northern Ireland!

Penny Kennedy Development Associate for Northern Ireland & Eire
Contact Penny

 

 

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    Page last updated on 22/03/2010 03:05:16 PM
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