Selsey Romanain Orphan Appeal - Registered Charity

The early days…

Our work began in Romania in 1991 after dramatic media coverage swept the world revealing a country that had been shrouded in secrecy for generations. The conditions that were found were nothing short of horrendous, showing a large number of orphanages filled with thousands of seriously neglected children. However these institutions were only the tip of the iceberg with a huge list of secret and forgotten orphanages gradually coming to light. Work began in earnest and registration was applied for back in the U.K. Our first projects involved the delivery of three articulated lorries full of aid that we had collected in Selsey and the surrounding area. We also teamed up with another group from Britain to refurbish a sanatorium that was in a dreadful state and was more of a hazard to health than a help for the children that were in there. The children in there all had heart, muscle or bone disease. We successfully refurbished the building and were able to dramatically improve the conditions for the children. During the next two years we continued to deliver lorries of aid to orphanages and institutions. Our registration was finally granted in 1993.

Getting a feel for things…

In 1993 after many trips to Romania and after getting a real feel for the problems of the area, we decided that we should direct some of our efforts to help slow down the flow of babies in to the orphanages. To do this we decided to help medical dispensaries, schools and kindergartens in out lying rural areas, a case of tackling the cause and not just the symptoms. In the autumn of 1993 we found such an area in dire need near the town of Alba Iulia. The main village of the group was Ighiu, which includes an overall population of around seven to eight thousand.

Continuing our work…

Our main work is building, refurbishing, digging wells and septic tanks, plumbing, electric's and sanitation and we still continue to supply medical equipment and medical supplies, toys, shoes and general supplies to orphanages, medical dispensaries and schools. All our projects are on going and include four medical dispensaries, two schools, an orphanage, a kindergarten, a hospital and a 'Street Kitchen'.
We generally visit at least twice a year and we carry out maintenance on all previous works and begin new projects.
All of our workers, who give a great deal of their time and effort, are volunteers and receive no remuneration. For that we thank them.

The future…

There is no quick fix for the problems in Romania and we will continue to do what we can for the foreseeable future to ease the suffering and the conditions of the people and children that we have the fortune and pleasure to meet.

FROM 1991- 2001 A BRIEF HISTORY