What charity are you volunteering for and what are they all about?

I am volunteering for a charity called The Biggin Hill Romania Group, who are a group of people who dedicate time to bring hope and love to the disadvantaged people of Romania who live in such hardship. In Romania (Comanesti) they have set up a centre for any children regardless of disabilities or homeless problems, where they can come in each day and meet other children in a warm building. The group also have projects involving particular families who they help for example by donations or helping them. Many volunteers go out to Romania during the year to work with the children and families, as well as the volunteers who go over in December to deliver shoe boxes of essentials made back here by people in England.

Where and when are you going?

I will be visiting the town of Comanesti, in Romania on the 2nd of December 2008 to visit the Robert Cole Centre (where we sort and deliver all the boxes from). I will also be visiting family homes to deliver family boxes, as well as an AIDS unit, orphanage and a mental institute to give them a little hope and to show them that they are valued this Christmas.

Who from this university are going?

I am going with Simon Bedford, Sophie Murdoch and Gemma Meakins who are also Year three Primary Education students at Christ Church. Sophie and I are President and Vice President of the cheerleading squad here and hope to promote this charity throughout the University and do some fundraising before we go in December, and take a donation out with us for provisions where needed. Examples of provisions brought with donations from last year were a pram for a lady who had to carry her baby everywhere, money towards a gentleman who had lost his house in a fire and was rebuilding it for him and his five daughters.

What sort of thing will you be taking with you?

Shoe boxes will be going out in the lorries during November so they are ready for us volunteers to distribute in December. I found from last year that I did not need so many items of clothing to wear while I was out there, although it was very cold. So I will be filling up my suitcase with provisions such as extra clothing to give out, which is always very gratefully received.

What was your experience like last year?

It was an experience of a lifetime, which felt like entering a completely different world. I was aware but did not consider how much we take for granted in this world, and how much some people really do suffer without dignity. It is so rewarding to know you have made someone smile and have given people hope and love. These people really do have very little and just to be visited and given a small gift made them so happy. I cannot describe the feeling and emotion to see children getting excited when they open their boxes, or grown adults crying with happiness when you give them a donation to be able to buy clean water and some food for their family.

Finally , how can other students get involved?

Give donations
Raise money within teams
Start collecting items for shoe boxes next year
Visit the website to see what the charity does and ways in which you can help
Contact Becky Cotter (r.cotter147@canterbury.ac.uk) for further information

http://www.foundationsforlife.co.uk/index.htm

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