THE SMILES HOMELESS
PROJECT
Being Homeless in Oradea is
similar to being pushed out of society, lower than some of our
neighbour’s pets, who at least receive some food and have a warm bed for
the night.
People stare at you, some being scared to death, some acting with
extreme aggression.
“The
worst thing of all is when they treat you mercifully, and you feel
handicapped”, says one of our
Homeless beneficiaries. “Nobody
believes that you actually can do something, that you can be something
and that you can break the vicious circle that has been gaining momentum
for years. After so many years, you start to believe yourself that there
is no way out”.
The
Smiles Foundation has been involved with the Homeless for many years
and has tried to help where we could. Several people have been involved
but no one has
been able to make it their main focus with a commitment
to the Homeless people above other considerations. Since the City’s
Mayor Office heard of our Container Village program, we have been in
discussion with the authorities concerning a ‘Partnership’ in caring for
the Homeless and providing options for them in the future.
A considerable Project was being established which involved significant
resources but most important of all – a remarkable person or more who
would be committed to these people who live with great needs. Once
again, as we have faced many times in Smiles, it seemed an impossible
task.
T
he
Container Challenge captured many hearts around the world with
support across the UK and America. £50,000 ($75,000) has to be invested
in Containers and Conversions to provide the first Module at the
Container Village of 9 units. Six will be for accommodation plus two for
Hygiene facilities and one to be used as a ‘Day Centre’ for meetings,
counselling and daily activities.
We have five units completed and have 4 containers delivered but we need
the final 4 converted. This we anticipate costing £12,000 ($18,000).
Then we have contents to provide and to make the site of the Container
Village more like ‘home’. This all required that special person with
passion and vision to coordinate the project and make it happen.
We
thank God for the opportunity provided through Raul Gherle who
has joined Smiles to Manage the Homeless Project. Joining in July 2011,
Raul comes with tremendous experience in Social Care and a heart of love
for those in need.
As Raul prepares for the challenge ahead, he has many needs that perhaps
you can help with. See his
Introductory Report and see how
you can help us make this project the success it needs to be. Hundreds
of Homeless people are praying for a Miracle – let’s work together to
see it happen.
We don’t want to
limit our dreams for the future. We have the skills, we have the heart
and we hope that we will persuade others to join our efforts. We’ve
testified over the years so many broken lives being fixed with this
medicine called “love”.
In the Smiles Foundation - we have enough for everybody!
We trust and pray for support to fulfil our dreams.
IF I WAS HOMELESS ............WOULD YOU HELP ME?
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