The Smiles Foundation, Raul's Report

RAUL's INTRODUCTORY REPORT

For many years the Smiles Foundation came down the street and took the pulse of ordinary people. We are close to those with special and urgent needs. We stand by those whom society does not put any value.

Raul Gherle

Along with these people I joined. My name is Raul Gherle and after many years in the social field, I see this project as a challenge. I want to gather together people who want to dare more.

Among them are people who have never had a home. Still they do not know what the word HOME means. Do we give them more than they know? ... we are ready to recognise them and understand that they live among us and need our help?

A few days ago, one of the people I visited told me: ... so we know that it is raining outside as I slept last night inside a large wooden door in a concrete hall, but come winter... what will I do then? I promised I would come in the bad weather and find a place to stay. She had tears in her eyes, approximately 55 years old and retired with little money for disability. She looked at me long when I left and cried, you promise me!

I have around me a team capable to support me and with them I think we can do something significant for these people. Shelter - where we want to host some of them open their doors soon. For them, it is a giant step towards what we want to give them - a normal life.

Soon many of them will be responsible for a property. With neighbours and learn to live with others.

Such things can be simple and meaningless to us.
For them, huge challenges.
Same for me.
Along with them, I stand.

Raul Gherle
Manager to the Homeless Project
The Smiles Foundation

An urgent list of supplies needed for the Container Village: If you can help, please donate on line, send a payment to the office with details of your support, or telephone the office to make your donation by Visa/Mastercard. Support Options:
Item	Unit cost	Donate £s	Donate $s
Bunk beds with mattresses 44 needed	£200 / $300
Refrigerators - 6 needed	£175 / $250
Stove for cooking - 5 needed	£175 / $250
Chairs - 39 needed	£13 / $20
Kitchen tables - 8 needed	£45 / $70
Coffee table - 1 needed	£34 / $50
Bedside Cabinets - 14 needed	£34 / $50
Heating convector radiators 22 needed	£50 / $80
Office chairs - 3 needed	£40 / $60
Office desks - 3 needed	£50 / $80
Curtains or blinds - 20 needed	£13 / $20
Curtain holders - 20 needed	£20 / $30
Cutlery sets - 30 sets needed	£10 / $15
Dinner plates - 30 needed	£3 / $5
Cups - 30 needed	£2 / $4
Pillows - 62 needed	£10 / $15
Blankets - 62 needed	£13 / $20
Sheets - 63 needed	£10 / $15
Bathroom cabinets (60cm x 200) 7 needed	£50 / $80
Bathroom mirror - 5 needed	£40 / $60

To make a general donation to the Container Village
If you would like to make a telephone donation please call for the UK: 0113 276 5060 for the USA: 423 239 9525 (7am to 1pm Eastern)