On-Site Diary
26th November 2009 - Adrian Woodroffe
On behalf of all the youngsters over here who will benefit from receiving a Christmas shoebox present; the families and individuals who will be given a Family Box and food supplies; the pupils at the RCC and its FFLC who will benefit from some of the other supplies included on that truck; those who will be able to make purchases from the 'shop' being held at the Centre next week, I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my sincere thanks to all involved with the collecting and packing of items; the loading of supplies on the truck; and the tremendous help received this end with the efficient unloading and correctly putting items in the right rooms at the RCC. Even with there being three (short and well-deserved) breaks during the unloading, it was all complete and the provisions stored in rooms very quickly. In fact, the elapsed time from when the unloading started, to when the driver and truck left the RCC was less than two hours - and for the tremendous help and speed worked by RCC/FFLC personnel and pupils during that period, I am extremely very grateful indeed. Delia/Cristina Taras, I again reiterate my thanks to you and your staff for the help provided on Friday. Virtually everything unloaded was put in the right rooms, first time - and that in itself is a major achievement and helps considerably. 31st October 2009 - ED.
Adrian emailed through photographs of the ICT room which now looks amazing. The walls have been re-boarded and there is safety wiring. In addition there are workbenches and PC's. The kitchen units have been fitted and look great. The husband of one of the members of staff fitted it and it took him 2 days. It looks as though all the units have fitted in the space available. The youngsters are going to be filling the cupboards with the kitchen items they have to hand. 4th September 2009 - Clare Williams
The cargo from the August lorries is being stored up in one of the volunteers rooms and one of the classrooms of the FFLC. Adrian, has tried to get it into some sort of order and we helped deliver some of the family boxes with Adrian, his daughter, sister and neice. A huge team from TEECH were on the way to Moldova with a lorry full of stuff the week before but were refused entry due to Swine Flu restrictions. They therefore detoured to the FFLC and slept on floors in RCC and set about painting, building etc the FFLC. Amoungst other things they painted the stairway up to the centre,add murals there are in the RCC. They also put toilets in the ‘homeless’ wing opposite the FFLC. Much of the centre now looks close to what it did. The kitchen is going in and will look amazing. The IT room is now boarded and wired and needs plastering. The garage is coming on at a tremendous rate with workmen in there daily. 19th April 2009 - Sandra Dolan
The first task was to see the damage done to the FFLC. At first sight, which was my first glimpse of the landing as I walked up the stairs, all the bright yellow paintwork of the walls had turned grey/black. It was very depressing. Going through the door to the Centre was like walking into a black tunnel. The worst of the smoke damage was actually in the corridor. The ceiling is absolutely black. The rooms were not so bad and some rooms were untouched. The ladies had done a fantastic job of scrubbing done the paintwork but it was clear that no further improvement would be achieved by cleaning. The floorboards were lifted so that they wouldn’t be damaged, and all the furniture had been moved into the classrooms. Such a lot of hard work had been done. Assuming that the furniture can be cleaned, then it will alright to use again. The computer room itself is every bit as bad as it looked in Adrian’s photographs, completely gutted. Quite shocking. It is frightening to see how much damage a fire can do in a short space of time. However, looking at the bigger picture, it was fortunate indeed that no-one was hurt, that Vasilica’s class was there, they escaped unharmed and the alarm was raised so that the building was evacuated.
Mihai Tudorache has been hired to carry out the major repair work. He intends to cover the hall ceiling and the walls and ceiling of the computer room with plasterboard before painting them. The whole area will be painted in fact, The colours will be the same as before. Nice and bright and cheerful again. Woodwork and floors will also need to be cleaned. I suggested that we provide some money to pay volunteers to come in and do the cleaning during the Easter break. Delia replied that they would have done the work for nothing – they would to.
Delia and Cristina have been very energetic in raising money for the repairs. The company Fin Forest has donated 3000 Ron, Moinesti Council and the Mayor of Asau provided 4000 Ron’s worth of materials, and the ladies have applied for a 2000 Ron grant. More monies are coming in from various sources, which is fantastic. I am particularly pleased to see that local businesses starting to support charities financially. It bodes well for the future. Later in the week we talked to the Comanesti Mayor. He will provide men and machinery to clean the outside wall. Delia is hoping that a friend of hers will provide the money to pay for Mihai’s work. Hopefully the youngsters will be able to return to their Centre in May.
Tour of the RCC Classes
I then visited each class. The children each said a few words about them selves. The teachers explained how they were getting on, progress and problems. Easter art work was underway in all classes. I ended up with an armful of lovely pictures/creations myself. The children in the Kindergarten are very happy with their teacher, Elena. There is a lovely atmosphere in that room. Two of the children travel 25 km each day by public transport to get to the RCC.
9th January 2009 - Lyn Jenkins
I was one of the volunteers in the second group arriving in December to distribute Family Boxes and Christmas shoeboxes. This was my 6th visit. I had visited three times previously to deliver the shoeboxes at Christmas, once to deliver the Family boxes in the Spring/Summer and once to help decorate the Foundations for Life Centre.
Having seen the state of the area before the conversion to the Foundations for Life Centre it is great to see what has been achieved in a relatively short space of time.
The youngsters looked so happy and cheerful as they opened the door and rushed into the centre. They were busy practising for the Christmas concert. They were busy making Christmas items in the craft room. Korband had donated in excess of 2000 Friendship Bracelet kits and I was fortunate to be able to spend time with some of the youngsters showing them how to make them. I am sure they will enjoy making them and giving them to their friends who will love them!
There were surprised looks on the faces of the youngsters as they came into the centre one day, because overnight we had decorated the entrance hall, putting up a Christmas tree for them. They are not used to artificial Christmas trees so I do hope they don’t throw it away afterwards!
We unpacked a lot of the items we had taken over; material for the sewing room, arts and crafts materials, tools for the woodwork room, CDs, guitars and various other instruments for the music room and many more items. 3M had generously provided a pallet of goodies for the centre.
I know all these items will be put to good use, but they still need more.
My next challenge will be to try and get a kiln (just to keep Adrian quiet!) so the youngsters can use the potter’s wheels and bake the items they make. It would be lovely to see them do this and see what they can produce.
The kitchen had just had the cooker connected and the washing machine installed, although we didn’t try them! They also now have a microwave oven, electric food mixer, toaster and many more items that will come in handy. I hope by the next visit the kitchen will have units installed and be fully functional so the youngsters can learn to cook and bake cakes!
It would be great if the garage was converted for the youngsters to learn their mechanic skills, by the next visit, but I mustn’t be impatient and expect too much too soon. BHRG have done a wonderful job with the centre and given the youngsters the opportunity to learn important skills. It is great to see the youngsters hard at work and enjoying it.
3rd April 2008 - Clare Williams
I was shown around the Foundations for Life centre this morning and saw lots of good works going on. As you push open the entrance door you enter a bright corridor with the beginnings of the students work being displayed on the walls. Off this corridor are 11 rooms, The centres director's office, 2 en-suite guest rooms for volunteers use, a toilet and showeroom, sewing room, craft room, woodwork room, art/project room, ICT room, kitchen and music/lounge.
There were young men using the work benches, sawing metal and making springs. The teacher, a metals engineer, explained that they have a good variety of tools and equipment of which she is teaching the pupils the names and uses of through a mix of theoretical and practical lessons. She said they then plan to do set project work with a finished outcome.
In the sewing room the textiles professor had two groups at work in sets of 4. One group was knitting parts for a doll. The whole class will be knitting the various parts and then it will be sewn together. The other group had card and material and were designing a fashion outfit each. The teacher explined that they hope to make these outfits and then exhibit them in a fashion show at the centre.
The craft room has an array of evidence of creative works. The staff and children make use of everything they can get hold of. They had cut grooves into card through which they had strung string and through this the students have used lengths of colourful material to create weavings. The pupils come into the craft room in the afternoons and make their creations. The teacher explained that they are going through consumables at a fast rate and always need new supplies. They need bulk glue/paints/paper etc which they can purchase locally but need a budget for this. There are also 2 large potters wheels in the room ready for use. The Director explained that once they have put up plastic sheeting to protect the walls and floor and brought in some clay they will start using them. As there is no kiln at present they will be restricted on the products they are able to produce at present.
As I walked past the comfortable and welcoming lounge/music room one afternoon I saw a group of friends happy being with each other watching television. There are lovely leather sofas, a hi-fi system, a few musical instruments but the room is lacking books, a piano, CD's and tapes.
In the spacious kitchen they have a cooker which will be in use once a safety socket is in place. They also plan to install a wall to wall work bench with over and under cupboards so that the students can commence cookery lessons.
There are a large number of PC's in the ICT room which were donated by an english primary school in working order, unfortuately once they had travelled out to Romania and up into the room and switched on they found that they are not now working. The good news is that a handy technical chap has been looking at them and with some swapping of parts has already managed to get two of them up and running so they will very soon be in use.
The garage is still a project to be begun as there are no funds for this at present. The hope is for this to become a work shop learning basic mechanics and car washing.
Below are excerpts from Adrian Woodroffe's emailed accounts of the ‘Foundation for Life Centre’s’ volunteers trip Saturday 17th-Sunday 25th February 2007 and his other visits in 2006. The accounts do not include all emailed information but seek to provide the reader with a general account of activity and work to the FFL Centre during that week. Photographs to accompany the text can be viewed on the ‘Photographs’ page of this website.
Sunday 18th February 2007
We had a quick tour of the 'Foundations for Life Centre' (FFLC) which really is looking very good indeed - thanks to Director Delia and the team of builders/painters/decorators who have been working there for about four months now. Well done to all concerned.
Then it was downstairs, back in to the Robert Cole Centre where I gave the new comers and old-timers a tour of the Day Centre, culminating with showing them the gymnasium, which is full of furniture and equipment, some needing assembling, for the FFLC. They spotted the two potters wheels and were relieved to see that is what they were - and not kilns that I had mentioned in previous correspondence. Potters wheels are obviously sssoooo much lighter than kilns and so it shouldn't be a problem getting them up stairs and in one of the rooms in the FFLC.
We went back in to the gymnasium where the volunteers tried to find all the parts for two eight-seater carousel units and then they manhandled one set upstairs to the Volunteers bedroom where assembly is due to be contemplated before actual assembly is made in the soon-to-be computer room in the FFLC.
I managed to escape around 6:30pm before any hard work commenced. I think the painting, decorating, cleaning, cabinet moving and furniture assembly is to begin in earnest tomorrow. Hopefully the local cockerel will be crowing again in the morning so that the volunteers don't oversleep.
Tuesday 20th February 2007
Those volunteers have been working hard today.
Virtually all the furniture, cupboards, wall charts and other stuff for the Foundations for Life Centre has now been positioned in the various rooms and the volunteers even managed to stop for a coffee - before 9:40am!
Only one of the two carousel desk units (for eight people to sit around) is required for the FFLC, but it was too large to fit in to a single room and therefore it's been assembled in two parts - half in the IT room and the other half in one of the other rooms. However, that has resulted in the remaining carousel unit having a spare centre support piece but no legs. I'm sure it won't be a problem because the Romanians are very resourceful and I'm sure someone will be able to knock-up enough new legs for it.
The attached two photos (on the ‘Photographs’ Page) show Director Delia Barzu, the team of volunteers and half an assembled carousel desk unit in the IT room.
Wednesday 21st February 2007
I left home at 7:30am in order to be at the Robert Cole Centre (RCC) in time for the planned 8:00am departure for an 'excursion' with some of the volunteers. Jayne and Lyn were to stay behind as they were keen and eager to paint Director Delia Barzu's office in the Foundations for Life Centre (FFLC).
The rest of us got in to one of the RCC minibuses but as there was then going to be a delay until the driver arrived, I took the opportunity of popping in to the RCC to talk to Lyn and Jayne about a musical keyboard for the FFLC.
After our excursion, during which we visited a state-run institution where around 150 patients live; three lovely bungalows, set in beautiful countryside where 36 special needs young adults live; and a hospital to visit some children and adults suffering the effects of HIV/AIDS, we got back to the RCC at 2:15pm.
Jayne and Lyn told us that they'd managed to put two coats of paint on the ceiling in Delia's office, plus one coat of paint on the walls. (I think a further two coats of paint was speckled all over their faces and clothing.) The walls of Delia's new office certainly look very colourful and bright. In fact, Jayne has promised to buy Delia some sunglasses to help protect her eyes from the glare! Louise and Julie immediately began painting the walls in the entrance corridor to the FFLC. Karen and Stewart went in to town to change some money and I was forced to sit with Lyn and Jayne and drink cups of tea and have half a cup-a-soup.
Thursday 22nd February 2007
Today the team of intrepid volunteers have been painting, moving more furniture and making bits and pieces out of odds and ends. Please see the two attached photos (On the ‘Photographs’ page). One shows a handmade coat rack for the Woodwork room made by disassembling a table and using the base support unit and a set of blunt 'cup hook' screws. (The other photo is for the Sewing room and is of some wool that has been knitted together and made in to a lovely and colourful pattern and inserted in to one of the wooden photo frames that came here on the last truck. The artistes responsible for the attached creations are holding their respective masterpieces in the photos attached. Two sets of each were made. Total cost for all materials purchased... around £1.
I think it's really good that the volunteers have been so practically and actively involved in making such lovely items for those two rooms. I hope it will be both an encouragement and an inspiration to the teaching staff and children. Perhaps the youngsters in the FFLC will be able to design and create beautiful, practical, useful, aesthetic and wonderful works with the facilities and opportunities they are provided once the Centre is up and running.
Also today Louise checked the sewing machines and advises that they are all in good working order. She said that some are particularly good. I mentioned that Casa Lumina have a number of sewing machines too but that I thought some may be in need of attention/repair. Louise indicated that she'd be happy to take a look at them so I phoned Sister Betty to see if Casa Lumina would like to take up that offer…she's keen for Louise to have a look at Casa Lumina's sewing machines and she'll get them and whatever parts for them she can find and have them ready. Louise will go to Casa Lumina at around 10:00am tomorrow.
The volunteers tried to continue with some painting in the FFLC today but as some flooring had just been laid it wasn't practical or possible for them to get to the areas that needed attention.
Referring to the workmen, one of the volunteers said that she'd never seen so many men doing nothing. I explained that I thought they were possibly trying to comply with some sort of international building regulations. However, they must have been doing something right, because the refurbishment works for FFLC really has progressed considerably and the rooms are looking very good indeed.
Friday 23rd February 2007
As the workmen at the FFLC were laying floors in the rooms where the volunteers had hoped to paint, the volunteers couldn't get in to those rooms and so they didn't have a very productive day in the FFLC yesterday.
Louise and Julie went to Casa Lumina yesterday morning and managed to have a look at all the sewing machines they've got there - advising as to which ones are in working order and they will provide details as to what parts are needed for those that aren't. What was thought to have been one complete knitting machine, packed in three separate boxes, was also looked at by Louise and Julie but it seems to be parts for two separate such machines. We'll see if we can track down the person who had sent the boxes here and hopefully the rest of the parts could then follow.
Saturday 24th February 2007
On their last full day here, the volunteers cleaned the rooms in the Foundations for Life Centre in the morning, vacuuming and mopping floors, cleaning tables and chairs and positioning some more of the furniture in the rooms there. Understandably, with the workmen cutting and laying floor tiles; drilling and fixing; installing and fitting etc., there is, and will continue to be for some time, considerable dust and debris.
I took the attached six photos in the afternoon (on the ‘Photographs’ page). A huge amount of work has been undertaken in the rooms of the Foundations for Life Centre. (The last photo is of the roof of the garage we have relatively recently purchased - and as can be seen, much work is needed - for which funding is required - to make the garage suitable and secure for the storage of the Robert Cole Centre vehicles.)
Back in the volunteers room at the RCC, Jayne and Lyn were going to do some cleaning, in an attempt to tidy up a bit before leaving in the morning and they were also going to label and seal the boxes in that room, whose contents are destined for use within the Foundations for Life Centre.
All six volunteers and I went to Intim restaurant where we all had very good (and extremely hot) meals. Towards the end of the evening I asked each of the volunteers what they had found to be one of the best or most rewarding parts of their trip here.
Their individual responses included: seeing Casa Lumina and the youngsters there (and how totally different it was compared to the awful conditions in which they had been living prior to 2000). the prayer session at Casa Lumina on Friday afternoon seeing the lovely Miorita bungalows painting and getting the rooms ready in the Foundations for Life Centre and seeing the significant changes that had been made to the rooms at the Foundations for Life Centre.
Earlier in the evening Lyn had given me a lovely A3 size poster of musical instruments that is to be put on a wall in the music room in the Foundations for Life Centre. In order to make it more long-lasting I took it home and have laminated it.
I hope you like the attached photos (on the ’Photographs’ page) and approve of how the volunteers have left the Foundations for Life Centre. They've all indicated that they may return here sometime.
17th November 2006
As you can see from the Photographs page, there are many workmen there, very actively working. New double-glazed windows have been installed, electric wiring has been connected to a number of the rooms with light sockets and two electric sockets in most of the rooms. The computer room has wiring for quite a lot of plug socket outlets. A huge amount of work has been undertaken - a credit to those responsible. Particular thanks and gratitude to Delia for overseeing this very important work in order to further improve the skills, abilities and future of the youngsters who have graduated class 8. Well done!
13th October 2006
On 5th October 2006 I was advised that it will be necessary to have a "Project" undertaken for the refurbishment works. That will involve a company coming to the Robert Cole Centre and measuring each of the rooms on the 1st floor where the refurbishment for the Foundations for Life Centre is to take place, taking due account and consideration of the proposed changes we want to make ( e.g. partial removal of some walls etc.) A similar measurement exercise was undertaken earlier in the year in order for the Robert Cole Centre to get the Fire Authority's approval before the necessary Accreditation or Licence was issued.
I hope that company will be able to produce more than a mere plan of the rooms on the 1st floor of the building, but also to incorporate appropriate Contract particulars, Management of Works, Quality Standards/Controls documentation as well as possibly providing documentation to cover the necessary Supervision/Inspection during the works. Perhaps they could also help with the definitions for Materials and Workmanship, Schedule of Works, Electrical specification, Contract Drawings and Tender documentation. I've already begun to document some of the above and when the company comes to do the measurements I'll arrange to go through those details with them and see what they can help with.
31st July 2006
We hope to undertake work on the 1st floor of the building in which the Robert Cole Centre (Special Needs School) is located. We are planning to create a Vocational and Life-skills training centre, initially for 12 of the children who graduated class 8 in June 2006 so that they can be further helped to develop and grow in their understanding of life, their surroundings, their culture and also in order to give them a greater purpose and improve their levels of self worth, helping them to more easily and readily integrate into society.
Once the centre becomes more established, and subject to there being appropriate support and need in the area, we may be able to offer its support and services to other children and maybe young adults from the town.
We also aim to assist with the development of a Community/ Medical Centre, where perhaps a Dentist, Doctor, Optician and Pharmacist could be based, and health care advice and support could be given (primarily for the predominantly elderly and poor residents who live in this area of the town).
However, extensive refurbishment will be necessary – there are currently holes in floors, walls and ceilings, flaking paint, old broken wooden flooring, some broken single pain windows in damaged wooden frames and doors are in a bad state of repair. Electricity supply would need to be replaced and new lighting and electric sockets installed. In order to help reduce heat loss it may be appropriate to have false ceilings put in. The toilet facilities will need to be refurbished too with appropriate water supplies to that area. There will also be a need to have a Receptionist area or waiting room for patients prior to them receiving consultation.
Equipment such as tables, chairs, workbenches, sewing machines etc would need to be acquired for the Vocational & life-skills centre.
Safety equipment too, such as fire extinguishers, fire alarms, burglar alarm, backup generator/batteries etc. may also be needed. We don't have enough money to complete all that is necessary at this stage, but we continue to hope and pray that further funding will be forthcoming in order that we can provide the appropriate level and extent of support and services in order to further help those in so much need.
Currently a number of Sinistrati (families who were made homeless following the July 2005) floods live in rooms on that floor and they would of course need to be found more appropriate accommodation by the Local Authority in Comanesti before we can commence the extensive work that is necessary on that floor.
On behalf of all the youngsters over here who will benefit from receiving a Christmas shoebox present; the families and individuals who will be given a Family Box and food supplies; the pupils at the RCC and its FFLC who will benefit from some of the other supplies included on that truck; those who will be able to make purchases from the 'shop' being held at the Centre next week, I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my sincere thanks to all involved with the collecting and packing of items; the loading of supplies on the truck; and the tremendous help received this end with the efficient unloading and correctly putting items in the right rooms at the RCC. Even with there being three (short and well-deserved) breaks during the unloading, it was all complete and the provisions stored in rooms very quickly. In fact, the elapsed time from when the unloading started, to when the driver and truck left the RCC was less than two hours - and for the tremendous help and speed worked by RCC/FFLC personnel and pupils during that period, I am extremely very grateful indeed. Delia/Cristina Taras, I again reiterate my thanks to you and your staff for the help provided on Friday. Virtually everything unloaded was put in the right rooms, first time - and that in itself is a major achievement and helps considerably. 31st October 2009 - ED.
Adrian emailed through photographs of the ICT room which now looks amazing. The walls have been re-boarded and there is safety wiring. In addition there are workbenches and PC's. The kitchen units have been fitted and look great. The husband of one of the members of staff fitted it and it took him 2 days. It looks as though all the units have fitted in the space available. The youngsters are going to be filling the cupboards with the kitchen items they have to hand. 4th September 2009 - Clare Williams
The cargo from the August lorries is being stored up in one of the volunteers rooms and one of the classrooms of the FFLC. Adrian, has tried to get it into some sort of order and we helped deliver some of the family boxes with Adrian, his daughter, sister and neice. A huge team from TEECH were on the way to Moldova with a lorry full of stuff the week before but were refused entry due to Swine Flu restrictions. They therefore detoured to the FFLC and slept on floors in RCC and set about painting, building etc the FFLC. Amoungst other things they painted the stairway up to the centre,add murals there are in the RCC. They also put toilets in the ‘homeless’ wing opposite the FFLC. Much of the centre now looks close to what it did. The kitchen is going in and will look amazing. The IT room is now boarded and wired and needs plastering. The garage is coming on at a tremendous rate with workmen in there daily. 19th April 2009 - Sandra Dolan
The first task was to see the damage done to the FFLC. At first sight, which was my first glimpse of the landing as I walked up the stairs, all the bright yellow paintwork of the walls had turned grey/black. It was very depressing. Going through the door to the Centre was like walking into a black tunnel. The worst of the smoke damage was actually in the corridor. The ceiling is absolutely black. The rooms were not so bad and some rooms were untouched. The ladies had done a fantastic job of scrubbing done the paintwork but it was clear that no further improvement would be achieved by cleaning. The floorboards were lifted so that they wouldn’t be damaged, and all the furniture had been moved into the classrooms. Such a lot of hard work had been done. Assuming that the furniture can be cleaned, then it will alright to use again. The computer room itself is every bit as bad as it looked in Adrian’s photographs, completely gutted. Quite shocking. It is frightening to see how much damage a fire can do in a short space of time. However, looking at the bigger picture, it was fortunate indeed that no-one was hurt, that Vasilica’s class was there, they escaped unharmed and the alarm was raised so that the building was evacuated.
Mihai Tudorache has been hired to carry out the major repair work. He intends to cover the hall ceiling and the walls and ceiling of the computer room with plasterboard before painting them. The whole area will be painted in fact, The colours will be the same as before. Nice and bright and cheerful again. Woodwork and floors will also need to be cleaned. I suggested that we provide some money to pay volunteers to come in and do the cleaning during the Easter break. Delia replied that they would have done the work for nothing – they would to.
Delia and Cristina have been very energetic in raising money for the repairs. The company Fin Forest has donated 3000 Ron, Moinesti Council and the Mayor of Asau provided 4000 Ron’s worth of materials, and the ladies have applied for a 2000 Ron grant. More monies are coming in from various sources, which is fantastic. I am particularly pleased to see that local businesses starting to support charities financially. It bodes well for the future. Later in the week we talked to the Comanesti Mayor. He will provide men and machinery to clean the outside wall. Delia is hoping that a friend of hers will provide the money to pay for Mihai’s work. Hopefully the youngsters will be able to return to their Centre in May.
Tour of the RCC Classes
I then visited each class. The children each said a few words about them selves. The teachers explained how they were getting on, progress and problems. Easter art work was underway in all classes. I ended up with an armful of lovely pictures/creations myself. The children in the Kindergarten are very happy with their teacher, Elena. There is a lovely atmosphere in that room. Two of the children travel 25 km each day by public transport to get to the RCC.
9th January 2009 - Lyn Jenkins
I was one of the volunteers in the second group arriving in December to distribute Family Boxes and Christmas shoeboxes. This was my 6th visit. I had visited three times previously to deliver the shoeboxes at Christmas, once to deliver the Family boxes in the Spring/Summer and once to help decorate the Foundations for Life Centre.
Having seen the state of the area before the conversion to the Foundations for Life Centre it is great to see what has been achieved in a relatively short space of time.
The youngsters looked so happy and cheerful as they opened the door and rushed into the centre. They were busy practising for the Christmas concert. They were busy making Christmas items in the craft room. Korband had donated in excess of 2000 Friendship Bracelet kits and I was fortunate to be able to spend time with some of the youngsters showing them how to make them. I am sure they will enjoy making them and giving them to their friends who will love them!
There were surprised looks on the faces of the youngsters as they came into the centre one day, because overnight we had decorated the entrance hall, putting up a Christmas tree for them. They are not used to artificial Christmas trees so I do hope they don’t throw it away afterwards!
We unpacked a lot of the items we had taken over; material for the sewing room, arts and crafts materials, tools for the woodwork room, CDs, guitars and various other instruments for the music room and many more items. 3M had generously provided a pallet of goodies for the centre.
I know all these items will be put to good use, but they still need more.
My next challenge will be to try and get a kiln (just to keep Adrian quiet!) so the youngsters can use the potter’s wheels and bake the items they make. It would be lovely to see them do this and see what they can produce.
The kitchen had just had the cooker connected and the washing machine installed, although we didn’t try them! They also now have a microwave oven, electric food mixer, toaster and many more items that will come in handy. I hope by the next visit the kitchen will have units installed and be fully functional so the youngsters can learn to cook and bake cakes!
It would be great if the garage was converted for the youngsters to learn their mechanic skills, by the next visit, but I mustn’t be impatient and expect too much too soon. BHRG have done a wonderful job with the centre and given the youngsters the opportunity to learn important skills. It is great to see the youngsters hard at work and enjoying it.
3rd April 2008 - Clare Williams
I was shown around the Foundations for Life centre this morning and saw lots of good works going on. As you push open the entrance door you enter a bright corridor with the beginnings of the students work being displayed on the walls. Off this corridor are 11 rooms, The centres director's office, 2 en-suite guest rooms for volunteers use, a toilet and showeroom, sewing room, craft room, woodwork room, art/project room, ICT room, kitchen and music/lounge.
There were young men using the work benches, sawing metal and making springs. The teacher, a metals engineer, explained that they have a good variety of tools and equipment of which she is teaching the pupils the names and uses of through a mix of theoretical and practical lessons. She said they then plan to do set project work with a finished outcome.
In the sewing room the textiles professor had two groups at work in sets of 4. One group was knitting parts for a doll. The whole class will be knitting the various parts and then it will be sewn together. The other group had card and material and were designing a fashion outfit each. The teacher explined that they hope to make these outfits and then exhibit them in a fashion show at the centre.
The craft room has an array of evidence of creative works. The staff and children make use of everything they can get hold of. They had cut grooves into card through which they had strung string and through this the students have used lengths of colourful material to create weavings. The pupils come into the craft room in the afternoons and make their creations. The teacher explained that they are going through consumables at a fast rate and always need new supplies. They need bulk glue/paints/paper etc which they can purchase locally but need a budget for this. There are also 2 large potters wheels in the room ready for use. The Director explained that once they have put up plastic sheeting to protect the walls and floor and brought in some clay they will start using them. As there is no kiln at present they will be restricted on the products they are able to produce at present.
As I walked past the comfortable and welcoming lounge/music room one afternoon I saw a group of friends happy being with each other watching television. There are lovely leather sofas, a hi-fi system, a few musical instruments but the room is lacking books, a piano, CD's and tapes.
In the spacious kitchen they have a cooker which will be in use once a safety socket is in place. They also plan to install a wall to wall work bench with over and under cupboards so that the students can commence cookery lessons.
There are a large number of PC's in the ICT room which were donated by an english primary school in working order, unfortuately once they had travelled out to Romania and up into the room and switched on they found that they are not now working. The good news is that a handy technical chap has been looking at them and with some swapping of parts has already managed to get two of them up and running so they will very soon be in use.
The garage is still a project to be begun as there are no funds for this at present. The hope is for this to become a work shop learning basic mechanics and car washing.
Below are excerpts from Adrian Woodroffe's emailed accounts of the ‘Foundation for Life Centre’s’ volunteers trip Saturday 17th-Sunday 25th February 2007 and his other visits in 2006. The accounts do not include all emailed information but seek to provide the reader with a general account of activity and work to the FFL Centre during that week. Photographs to accompany the text can be viewed on the ‘Photographs’ page of this website.
Sunday 18th February 2007
We had a quick tour of the 'Foundations for Life Centre' (FFLC) which really is looking very good indeed - thanks to Director Delia and the team of builders/painters/decorators who have been working there for about four months now. Well done to all concerned.
Then it was downstairs, back in to the Robert Cole Centre where I gave the new comers and old-timers a tour of the Day Centre, culminating with showing them the gymnasium, which is full of furniture and equipment, some needing assembling, for the FFLC. They spotted the two potters wheels and were relieved to see that is what they were - and not kilns that I had mentioned in previous correspondence. Potters wheels are obviously sssoooo much lighter than kilns and so it shouldn't be a problem getting them up stairs and in one of the rooms in the FFLC.
We went back in to the gymnasium where the volunteers tried to find all the parts for two eight-seater carousel units and then they manhandled one set upstairs to the Volunteers bedroom where assembly is due to be contemplated before actual assembly is made in the soon-to-be computer room in the FFLC.
I managed to escape around 6:30pm before any hard work commenced. I think the painting, decorating, cleaning, cabinet moving and furniture assembly is to begin in earnest tomorrow. Hopefully the local cockerel will be crowing again in the morning so that the volunteers don't oversleep.
Tuesday 20th February 2007
Those volunteers have been working hard today.
Virtually all the furniture, cupboards, wall charts and other stuff for the Foundations for Life Centre has now been positioned in the various rooms and the volunteers even managed to stop for a coffee - before 9:40am!
Only one of the two carousel desk units (for eight people to sit around) is required for the FFLC, but it was too large to fit in to a single room and therefore it's been assembled in two parts - half in the IT room and the other half in one of the other rooms. However, that has resulted in the remaining carousel unit having a spare centre support piece but no legs. I'm sure it won't be a problem because the Romanians are very resourceful and I'm sure someone will be able to knock-up enough new legs for it.
The attached two photos (on the ‘Photographs’ Page) show Director Delia Barzu, the team of volunteers and half an assembled carousel desk unit in the IT room.
Wednesday 21st February 2007
I left home at 7:30am in order to be at the Robert Cole Centre (RCC) in time for the planned 8:00am departure for an 'excursion' with some of the volunteers. Jayne and Lyn were to stay behind as they were keen and eager to paint Director Delia Barzu's office in the Foundations for Life Centre (FFLC).
The rest of us got in to one of the RCC minibuses but as there was then going to be a delay until the driver arrived, I took the opportunity of popping in to the RCC to talk to Lyn and Jayne about a musical keyboard for the FFLC.
After our excursion, during which we visited a state-run institution where around 150 patients live; three lovely bungalows, set in beautiful countryside where 36 special needs young adults live; and a hospital to visit some children and adults suffering the effects of HIV/AIDS, we got back to the RCC at 2:15pm.
Jayne and Lyn told us that they'd managed to put two coats of paint on the ceiling in Delia's office, plus one coat of paint on the walls. (I think a further two coats of paint was speckled all over their faces and clothing.) The walls of Delia's new office certainly look very colourful and bright. In fact, Jayne has promised to buy Delia some sunglasses to help protect her eyes from the glare! Louise and Julie immediately began painting the walls in the entrance corridor to the FFLC. Karen and Stewart went in to town to change some money and I was forced to sit with Lyn and Jayne and drink cups of tea and have half a cup-a-soup.
Thursday 22nd February 2007
Today the team of intrepid volunteers have been painting, moving more furniture and making bits and pieces out of odds and ends. Please see the two attached photos (On the ‘Photographs’ page). One shows a handmade coat rack for the Woodwork room made by disassembling a table and using the base support unit and a set of blunt 'cup hook' screws. (The other photo is for the Sewing room and is of some wool that has been knitted together and made in to a lovely and colourful pattern and inserted in to one of the wooden photo frames that came here on the last truck. The artistes responsible for the attached creations are holding their respective masterpieces in the photos attached. Two sets of each were made. Total cost for all materials purchased... around £1.
I think it's really good that the volunteers have been so practically and actively involved in making such lovely items for those two rooms. I hope it will be both an encouragement and an inspiration to the teaching staff and children. Perhaps the youngsters in the FFLC will be able to design and create beautiful, practical, useful, aesthetic and wonderful works with the facilities and opportunities they are provided once the Centre is up and running.
Also today Louise checked the sewing machines and advises that they are all in good working order. She said that some are particularly good. I mentioned that Casa Lumina have a number of sewing machines too but that I thought some may be in need of attention/repair. Louise indicated that she'd be happy to take a look at them so I phoned Sister Betty to see if Casa Lumina would like to take up that offer…she's keen for Louise to have a look at Casa Lumina's sewing machines and she'll get them and whatever parts for them she can find and have them ready. Louise will go to Casa Lumina at around 10:00am tomorrow.
The volunteers tried to continue with some painting in the FFLC today but as some flooring had just been laid it wasn't practical or possible for them to get to the areas that needed attention.
Referring to the workmen, one of the volunteers said that she'd never seen so many men doing nothing. I explained that I thought they were possibly trying to comply with some sort of international building regulations. However, they must have been doing something right, because the refurbishment works for FFLC really has progressed considerably and the rooms are looking very good indeed.
Friday 23rd February 2007
As the workmen at the FFLC were laying floors in the rooms where the volunteers had hoped to paint, the volunteers couldn't get in to those rooms and so they didn't have a very productive day in the FFLC yesterday.
Louise and Julie went to Casa Lumina yesterday morning and managed to have a look at all the sewing machines they've got there - advising as to which ones are in working order and they will provide details as to what parts are needed for those that aren't. What was thought to have been one complete knitting machine, packed in three separate boxes, was also looked at by Louise and Julie but it seems to be parts for two separate such machines. We'll see if we can track down the person who had sent the boxes here and hopefully the rest of the parts could then follow.
Saturday 24th February 2007
On their last full day here, the volunteers cleaned the rooms in the Foundations for Life Centre in the morning, vacuuming and mopping floors, cleaning tables and chairs and positioning some more of the furniture in the rooms there. Understandably, with the workmen cutting and laying floor tiles; drilling and fixing; installing and fitting etc., there is, and will continue to be for some time, considerable dust and debris.
I took the attached six photos in the afternoon (on the ‘Photographs’ page). A huge amount of work has been undertaken in the rooms of the Foundations for Life Centre. (The last photo is of the roof of the garage we have relatively recently purchased - and as can be seen, much work is needed - for which funding is required - to make the garage suitable and secure for the storage of the Robert Cole Centre vehicles.)
Back in the volunteers room at the RCC, Jayne and Lyn were going to do some cleaning, in an attempt to tidy up a bit before leaving in the morning and they were also going to label and seal the boxes in that room, whose contents are destined for use within the Foundations for Life Centre.
All six volunteers and I went to Intim restaurant where we all had very good (and extremely hot) meals. Towards the end of the evening I asked each of the volunteers what they had found to be one of the best or most rewarding parts of their trip here.
Their individual responses included: seeing Casa Lumina and the youngsters there (and how totally different it was compared to the awful conditions in which they had been living prior to 2000). the prayer session at Casa Lumina on Friday afternoon seeing the lovely Miorita bungalows painting and getting the rooms ready in the Foundations for Life Centre and seeing the significant changes that had been made to the rooms at the Foundations for Life Centre.
Earlier in the evening Lyn had given me a lovely A3 size poster of musical instruments that is to be put on a wall in the music room in the Foundations for Life Centre. In order to make it more long-lasting I took it home and have laminated it.
I hope you like the attached photos (on the ’Photographs’ page) and approve of how the volunteers have left the Foundations for Life Centre. They've all indicated that they may return here sometime.
17th November 2006
As you can see from the Photographs page, there are many workmen there, very actively working. New double-glazed windows have been installed, electric wiring has been connected to a number of the rooms with light sockets and two electric sockets in most of the rooms. The computer room has wiring for quite a lot of plug socket outlets. A huge amount of work has been undertaken - a credit to those responsible. Particular thanks and gratitude to Delia for overseeing this very important work in order to further improve the skills, abilities and future of the youngsters who have graduated class 8. Well done!
13th October 2006
On 5th October 2006 I was advised that it will be necessary to have a "Project" undertaken for the refurbishment works. That will involve a company coming to the Robert Cole Centre and measuring each of the rooms on the 1st floor where the refurbishment for the Foundations for Life Centre is to take place, taking due account and consideration of the proposed changes we want to make ( e.g. partial removal of some walls etc.) A similar measurement exercise was undertaken earlier in the year in order for the Robert Cole Centre to get the Fire Authority's approval before the necessary Accreditation or Licence was issued.
I hope that company will be able to produce more than a mere plan of the rooms on the 1st floor of the building, but also to incorporate appropriate Contract particulars, Management of Works, Quality Standards/Controls documentation as well as possibly providing documentation to cover the necessary Supervision/Inspection during the works. Perhaps they could also help with the definitions for Materials and Workmanship, Schedule of Works, Electrical specification, Contract Drawings and Tender documentation. I've already begun to document some of the above and when the company comes to do the measurements I'll arrange to go through those details with them and see what they can help with.
31st July 2006
We hope to undertake work on the 1st floor of the building in which the Robert Cole Centre (Special Needs School) is located. We are planning to create a Vocational and Life-skills training centre, initially for 12 of the children who graduated class 8 in June 2006 so that they can be further helped to develop and grow in their understanding of life, their surroundings, their culture and also in order to give them a greater purpose and improve their levels of self worth, helping them to more easily and readily integrate into society.
Once the centre becomes more established, and subject to there being appropriate support and need in the area, we may be able to offer its support and services to other children and maybe young adults from the town.
We also aim to assist with the development of a Community/ Medical Centre, where perhaps a Dentist, Doctor, Optician and Pharmacist could be based, and health care advice and support could be given (primarily for the predominantly elderly and poor residents who live in this area of the town).
However, extensive refurbishment will be necessary – there are currently holes in floors, walls and ceilings, flaking paint, old broken wooden flooring, some broken single pain windows in damaged wooden frames and doors are in a bad state of repair. Electricity supply would need to be replaced and new lighting and electric sockets installed. In order to help reduce heat loss it may be appropriate to have false ceilings put in. The toilet facilities will need to be refurbished too with appropriate water supplies to that area. There will also be a need to have a Receptionist area or waiting room for patients prior to them receiving consultation.
Equipment such as tables, chairs, workbenches, sewing machines etc would need to be acquired for the Vocational & life-skills centre.
Safety equipment too, such as fire extinguishers, fire alarms, burglar alarm, backup generator/batteries etc. may also be needed. We don't have enough money to complete all that is necessary at this stage, but we continue to hope and pray that further funding will be forthcoming in order that we can provide the appropriate level and extent of support and services in order to further help those in so much need.
Currently a number of Sinistrati (families who were made homeless following the July 2005) floods live in rooms on that floor and they would of course need to be found more appropriate accommodation by the Local Authority in Comanesti before we can commence the extensive work that is necessary on that floor.
