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January 2010
Website Report from Region 5 – South East
Annette Hoskins
I shall
never forget that Sunday morning in August 2007, when Andy Roberts, a
member of the church that I attend, stood up during the Service and
told of the plans that he had for a group to go out to Romania, on a
Mission Trip with The Smiles Foundation, a Christian Charity with whom
he had recently been involved with.
 He
spoke of their lives and showed a brief video of the conditions that
people were living in. He shared his thoughts and the things that he
had seen whilst in Romania. He hoped to get a group of 10 or so
people, from Hosanna, our Church, to go out with him the
following year and work alongside The Smiles Foundation.
Well, I knew immediately that this was something I was being called to
do, and somehow I was going on that trip!
A year passed and our group had grown from 10 people within
Hosanna, to 38 people from the whole of the Parish. All excited,
but slightly apprehensive at what they might be about to witness,
nevertheless wanting to be a part of this wonderful trip. Little did I
know, when I climbed aboard the coach to Gatwick Airport that morning,
that my life was about to change.
I had a fantastic week in Romania, I was up and down emotionally but I
met some wonderful people and saw the great work being carried out all
in God’s love. I strongly recommend anyone who hasn’t yet been on a
Smiles Mission Trip
to sign up and go, it really will change your
life and make a difference to the people of Romania.
Well, the time came for us to go home and, as I climbed the steps back
onto the aeroplane, I made a promise to God, the people of Romania and
myself, that when I returned home I would not forget all that I had
seen and experienced. I would do as much as I could to assist the work
of The Smiles Foundation and one day, return for another trip.
 God
has kept me to my promise and now as South East Regional
Development Associate, I am busy organising fund-raising events,
raising the ‘Smiles’ awareness and trying to achieve the Challenges
Kevin sets us all.
November and December have been busy months, with a Fashion Show
held on Friday 27th November raising a total of £390/$624 . My thanks
go to the lovely models who were all wonderful. The evening was a
great success and a further Fashion Show is to be arranged for the
summer of 2010. Saturday 28th November saw me in Worthing town centre,
at a local Charity market, handing out information on the work
of The Smiles Foundation.
Friday 11th
December, Broadwater in Worthing, held their community evening. I had
a table within St.Mary’s, the Parish Church and sold craft
items; hand-made bags, bookmarks and of course the wonderful 2010
Smiles calendars. It was a fantastic evening with a real community
feel to it. Again information was handed out and a total of £83/$133
was taken through the sale of the craft items. January is starting to
look good too, with an information day to be held on Friday 15th at
Sainsbury’s supermarket in Worthing and a musical evening, with all
proceeds going to The Smiles Foundation, on Friday 29th January
(more details to follow regarding this).
I am looking forward to the New Year and the challenges it will bring.
I would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and, if you
are within the South East of England, please do get in touch with me
as I would love to hear from you and work with you to raise the
awareness of The Smiles Foundation throughout our part of the Country.
God Bless.
Annette
Annette Hoskins
Development Associate for the Smiles Foundation – Region 5
annettehoskins@thesmilesfoundation.org
Region 5 includes: Greater London, Kent, Surrey,
Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire
Previous Reports
Southern Counties, December 09
North East, November 09
South
West, October 09
Northern Ireland, September 09
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