2008 Project & News - 2008 Masquerade Ball

1. School / orphanage for disabled children (up to 200 children) 
 
A few years ago the school had a grant from the government which they spent very wisely upgrading the building fabric of the dining area and kitchens but money ran out before they could buy new cookers etc. which means that the facilities inside the kitchen are very basic.  
There is no more money available to them from the government like before! They have their own medical facility with fully trained staff but the equipment there is so antiquated that they are unable to provide the services they would like.

Dormitories need fully equipping and decoration / lighting replaced.  Various toilets need new cisterns, at least two of them need to be provided from new (existing squat toilets but with flush cisterns).  Shower heads need to be fitted in place of mixer systems and the summer shower block needs completely re-vamping. There is an entrance/ exit into the corridor between the school and dormitory block which needs to have the steps replaced and new hand rails fitting.

As you can see lots of work is required including secure parking and storage for all of the vehicles along with somewhere to stay as well.  
We would be able to use the kitchen facilities and we could even enlist the help of the kitchen staff if required.

2. Village School (156 children at present)

Parts of the school are in reasonably good condition but other areas are poor, we were shown the Gym where some of the floor had collapsed. (not good for 5 a-side and ankle injuries!). They asked about the possibilities of building a small store room accessible through the double doors from the Gym whereby they could safely store Gym kit.

Whilst there we were shown the toilet block – must admit I used it (any port in a storm). It was terrible (I’ve seen quite a few places with poor conditions over the years – but this was bad). They asked if it was possible to make them more hygienic?
Particular mention was made of the path at the front of the school where a small child had died of head injuries when he tripped on the uneven surface and bashed his head.

Some decorating required along with building work on the older school building as well as replacing / repairing electrics – they were hoping that a more energy / cost efficient method of lighting the classrooms etc. could be provided.

Some interim work is planned here with the main work becoming our project for 2009. A full survey can be carried out whilst there during 2008!

3. Chisinau Orphanage

This began when the people that run the orphanage adopted one child into their family and it grew from there. They now have 27 orphans all living in a family atmosphere. This building of this orphanage was finished in 2000 which was at the end of a three year project by a Dutch and American charity. Unfortunately once the building was completed the funding ceased and the couple that run the orphanage had to raise some of the funds from all the profits made from a small haulage enterprise. (He owns 2 Lorries and uses them to transport freight throughout Europe).

The income from this business does not meet all of the bills which means that even basic utility items such as washing machines cannot be replaced once they fail.

Their care for the adopted members of their extended family does not stop when they reach 18 as they continue to support them even when at university and beyond until they can stand on their own two feet. They currently have two of their children at University - one there by scholarship and the other they have to pay for.