Fifteen years ago Sisters Aloysius Kiernan and Marie Therese O'Sullivan embarked on a mission to the Budimex Children's Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, to offer their services. It was the aftermath of the Fall of Nicolae Ceausescu and difficult times for the people.
On a grey, wet afternoon I touched down at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport. The greyness was soon replaced by the welcome smiles of Sister Aloysius and Traian Despa who greeted me with a white rose - the Romanians love flowers. We drove into the city in heavy traffic. Having driven in London for many years I would not have the courage to drive in Bucharest.
At the apartment I presented Aloysius with our new Mercy Calendar. The message for the day read:
"Catherine connected the rich and the poor, the healthy and the sick
to do the work of God"(M Joanna Regan)
This sums up the mission in Romania with Mercy at its heart.
Since my previous visit in 2002 things have really developed. Aloysius had devised a programme for me. My first of many visits was to the Budamex Children's Hospital. The Oncology and Cancer Wards have been refurbished. They are bright and attractive with new toilets and showers for children and parents. Drinking water is provided and a microwave for parents to use. Spending days, weeks
and months in the same environment they welcome visitors and
especially toys from London.
On my previous visit I met Adrian Vlad. Over the years he has...
...had 13 operations. Now he is in good health and training to be a nurse. There are many more success stories like this, all due to love,
support and encouragement.
Visiting the abandoned babies is always a mixture of sadness and joy - sad to see them lying all day in cots waiting to be noticed and hopefully picked up. The smiles and the joy when cuddled is rewarding.
Cristian Mirica (3 years) is unable to sit, walk or speak. He had an operation for a cleft palate on the day I left. Hopefully he will now be able to eat solid food to improve his health and development. His greatest joy is to be wheeled round the hospital in a buggy.
Danuts (6 years) came into the hospital for a knee operation. On my previous visit he was an abandoned child of three. Having no knee caps or hip joints he could not walk. After several operations he is now mobile and was adopted two years ago. It is a joy to see him developing so well and happy.
Since my last visit meals on wheels have been set up in collaboration with St Theresa's Parish. Meals are delivered daily to 21 houses - the elderly living alone and single parent families. They are also supported with bags of food and money. In addition, the elderly have a weekly visit by teenagers from St Theresa's Parish.
The Porohousci Family receive daily meals and support. There are 11 children. The house which was refurbished is spick and span with everything in order. The children are delightful, they regaled us with songs and hymns. Mother has Parkinson's disease and liver problems. She grew up in an orphanage and is determined her children will not have a similar experience. Her request before we left was for boots for the children. This family and many others have
had their houses rebuilt, providing heating, hot water and...
...other necessary facilities.
With Traian I visited an Orphanage in Tincabesti, one hour's drive
north of Bucharest. It houses children and adults (from 3-20 years) referred to as disabled. My own thoughts are that the lack of stimulation for some in their early years hampered their development. The environment was clean and attractive with good displays. The most recent development was the refurbishment of toilets and the gym. The latter is a real source of stimulation and enjoyment for all. The young people, many of them bigger than me, were lively and happy.
Nazareth is an apartment bought and supported by the Congregation to give a more normal life away from the hospital. The boys are developing and doing well at school. It is now a real family set up with Mr & Mrs Bucura and their 3 grown up sons living with
and caring for them.
The Recuperare (Rehabilitation Centre) is situated at the back of the hospital. The therapy provision has increased and the rooms have been refurbished and equipped to create a stimulating environment for the children.
The continued financial support of the Congregation, relatives and friends enables the mission in Romania to continue and develop. It is
greatly helped by the many volunteers who have visited over the years. As Romania goes into the EU in January 2007 there is much apprehension among the young and old. Hopefully it will improve the lives of all, particularly the disadvantaged.
Sister Ita Keane