A Week Later.....

I am home, I have settled back into it all, if 'settled' is the word....

I have caught up with my work and other stuff, so my systems are in automatic, but my mind is elsewhere.

The film Rich made was so emotive - very cleverly recorded at those times of night when all your thoughts seep out into the richness of reality. I cannot forget the promise I made to Paula and Gabriela, but I have to pace myself and gain a balance so that I can be influential in some way.

I took some time out to reflect over the weekend and indulge in a visit to Hidden House - a lovely peaceful place of dreams and reflections.

The 'Temple' has come on a long way - I would love to spend more time there, but maybe it is getting too cold? I would still like to take the Bubbles out there to play....

I know realise that I have to spend regular time in quiet places in order to settle my spirit, I was grateful to be able to breakfast in such a lovely place.

I discovered some moss

and found a Spirit Jar....

The surreal experiences I encountered in Romania have changed me, in a positive way...

My mind needs to fly with those Bubbles and think hard.....

Film

The film made by RJ Feaver documenting my visit can now be seen at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZagiRt6NmQE&hd=1

Wednesday 9th November - Between Two Worlds

As I flew back to England, I tried to unravel all the thoughts in my mind, the previous evening we had lit a Sky Lantern outside the Sanctuary....

......every Sky Lantern carries a wish and I wished for the continuation of the work of Love Light Romania - as a result of my visit I will do everything I can to support them to grow and continue into the future

I will continue with this blog on my return to mark progress.

As my plane came into land at Luton, I thought of the young people at the Sanctuary getting up for school and daily programmes.....

Thank you all for making me so welcome oOO oOO oOO

Tuesday 8th November

Today was my last day at The Sanctuary. It was also the day of Jo's monthly HIV support group meeting.
Every month she hosts this meeting for individuals affected by HIV in the area, along with mutual support and discussion they are given medicines and toiletries donated to the Foundation.

This month they also had some Bubble Therapy

Joined by some of the young people from the Sanctuary and using what was left of the Brockley Bubbles donated solution we Bubbled the village once again.....

It was lovely to see everyone have a go, even those who were hesitant at first

We made those Bubbles fly!

Prior to everyone leaving we put some people in a Bubble

Cristi discovered that he could put himslef in a Bubble

As the sun set

and the moon shone over the Sanctuary

I reflected on my journey - I am reluctant to leave, but needs must, so I set off to the airport hotel.

Monday 7th November (con)

Later on in the day we went back up into the hills with Rodica and Imre to practice their Bubbling and for Rich to shoot some more footage for the film.

Rob drove us this time - a differrent style of off roading to his mum (I wanted to get out and walk at one point). We did get a bit stuck and had to get out whilst Rob manoeuvred the vehicle safely, but we got there in the end.

It was great to see Rodica and Imre enjoying their bubblin' - they were singing and dancing (Imre cannot communicate too well, but with the help of the Bubbles he really came out of himself).

As the sun began to set Rob lit a fire

and we played....

Until the Transylvnian moon shone high in the sky. We drove back through the forest in the dark.....bit scarey, but we made it!

Monday 7th November

This morning I visited a nursery school in Medias

I was met by the Director, Maria and we chatted in the office whilst the children were getting ready.

I was taken into the yard where there were about 150 children singing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' for me, as I was English.

The Bubbles got loads of cheers and before long there were faces lined up against the upstairs and downstairs windows too

The orderly circle did not last for long, soon the temptation was too much and they all started running for the Bubbles

I got all the teachers doing 'have a go'

This is the Director, Maria enjoying Bubble Therapy

I have never been covered in so much Bubble solution in one go - it was great to stand by and let them get on with it...

This is the third school I have visited during my adventure, such a contrast between these young people and others I have seen during the week.

At a meeting later on n the day parents were asking when I was going to return.......

Back to Jacodu

Today we went back to the Jacodu village with Terry, John and Luke. 

Johnny was busy helping unload a delivery of bricks and building materials for Erica's building   (You can find out more about Erica's story on http://www.rjamesfeaver.co.uk/erica-audio-presentation/ )

Johnny is 14, he goes to school and is keen to learn. Love Light Romania are looking for funding to get some starter tool packs for young people like him - so that they can learn a trade and stand a better chance of changing the cycle of poverty for future generations.

I did not take Bubbles on this visit, which  meant I had more time to have a look around.

All the red roofs are the new ones provided by Love Light Romania - the Jacodu project aims to better the opportunities for the 64 children in the village by ensuring they are warm and dry in their homes (donated stoves have also been fitted into the buildings)

Toilets have been built

Laundry packs (washing bowls etc) have also been distributed and every month toiletry packs are taken over. The aim is to ensure basic needs are being met and enabling the young people to attend school and get an education.

 

Some of the children who already attend school get there by bicycle. If they get a puncture and do not have the equiment to repair it, they walk. Love Light Romania are in need of basic items such as puncture repair kits to distribute in this village.

Blankets and hats brought over by Terry, John and Luke were distributed -  is unusual for the weather to be so warm mthis time of year - soon the snow will come....

We drove on up to the village to see the house that Love Light Romania have managed to purchase for the Jacodu Kids Club

A few kilometres up the hill from the village, in a peaceful spot with a lovely calm presence to it is 'Nancy's House' (named after the lady who donated the money that enabled Love Light Romania to purchase it

Once the renovations are complete, the aim is to set up a kids club for the children of Jacodu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op6a350A7EU

The barn will be transformed into living accommodation - the money raised from renting this will hopefully be sufficient to fund the project

We had a picnic lunch in the garden - Rich made the tea!

Terry enjoyed drinking it!

It was a long day, on the way back I enjoyed watching the sun set and the moon rise over the Transylvanian countryside.