Gepiu
Community Project Report
(February 2013)
The year that just ended
for the Community Centre in Gepiu was a great year. (if we put aside
some of the financial pressures!)
We started 2012 with
around 25 children in the after-school
program.
Some of them came for the first time into the program and we were glad
that we could help them because they all came from families with
difficulties. One of their greatest
desires was to go on a summer camp, as
many of them had never experienced something like that. We explained we
don’t have the funds for that so we told the children that unfortunately
it won’t be possible this year. They understood the problem but they
decided to do something about it. They started praying every day with a
simple child faith. We encouraged them to do that, but because I know
the economic problems in the world, I doubted, but God taught me a
lesson. He listens to our prayers in a miraculous way, so 20 children
were able to attend camp in summer 2012 because a School raised the
money for Gepiu. Some were so excited about going that they couldn’t
sleep the night before. 
In September we
started a new academic year and we had 39 children register. We are not
suppose to have more than 30, but what can we say to the 9 extra?
However, it is more than we can fit in the 2 class rooms (or have money
in the budget) but we couldn’t say no to them after we hear each of
their stories. We started using the upstairs living room for the
lessons. Of course we need more staff, but we couldn’t employ anyone,
without the budget. I am pleased that we ended the year with the same
staff that we began, so we could offer stability to those children that
don’t have it at home.
We continue to take
the students to the high school
in Oradea. Each year we have more and more
children wanting to continue their education. We are very glad to see
that our after school program is preparing them for high school and they
don’t abandon school after grade 8. Because the fuel price increased a
lot last year we had to ask the parents to contribute a little to the
cost, but even so I’m not sure how we will be able continue to do the
transport this year as the program is not fully sponsored. We did learn
the lesson from the children, so we will continue to pray until God
provides all we need! 
Every Thursday we
meet with the
teenagers and the
youth for
worship, bible study and fun activities. From September we start
partnering with different churches so the youth from there will also
come to our programs and we hope in this way we will attract more
teenagers as the spiritual side is very important, if not more than the
education.
The
elderly lunches
are a blessing for all who attend but also for us each month. None of
you could understand what I am saying unless you’ve been a part of one.
If you have never been to an Elderly Lunch in Gepiu I encourage you to
come. It is one of those things you need to do at least once in your
life. The people are so joyful and so happy to be together. This year we
had around 10 new elderly coming. Most of them are not believers and we
feel so blessed to share God’s word with them and show them His love
through all we do. 
As I prepare to
write this report, a song came to my mind and the verses are like this:
"There comes a time when we heed a
certain call, When the world must come together as one, There are people
dying, And it's time to lend a hand to life, The greatest gift of all."
Maybe the children
of Gepiu won’t literally die if The Smiles Foundation won’t be in their
life, but every day something inside of them is dying if they don’t feel
the love and the comfort that comes through the people that are in the
Centre. The faith of the students that go to high school, for a better
future will die if they can’t continue their education. The joyful heart
of the elderly will die if the monthly lunches will stop. So thank you
for giving those people the hope of a better future, for
sending them your heart so they'll know that
someone cares, and their lives will be stronger and free, as God has
shown us by turning stone to bread, so we all must lend a helping hand."
Thank you for
realising that a change can only come when we stand together as one and
be assured that the children in Gepiu are saying a prayer for you every
day, thanking God for your help and asking God for many blessings for
you and your dear ones.
We wish you to be as
blessed in the New Year as you blessed us in the last year.
Georgeta Opreanu
(Deputy Director of Smiles)
Project Director to Gepiu.
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