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INTRODUCTION TO Silistra Orphanages March 28, 2009,

Hi Guys

Well it's time for us to start planning our next trip to the Silistra Orphanage. You will probably remember that Dougie and myself Berni sent a lorry load of goods over to the Orphanage in October 2008 and paid for all the transport ourself. It was a wonderful success, that we said we would do it again this year. Most of you followed the blog and seen the pictures.

I have had a small amount of participation from various companies I wrote to. They have send a few boxes of stuff which is a great help, but Freecycle and Netmums still remain our main suppliers. We have filled 79 boxes already but this is now shared between, our own Orphanage and a baby Orphanage in Silistra, we have been told about and what they need etc. We will visit them in Sept with some goods and see what it is like etc. We have also been collecting stuff for our villagers and the home for the elderly and also the Hospital - which we have a few wheelchairs, crutches and walking aids and a mobility scooter - although I am not sure what to do with the mobility scooter yet - I would like to trade it in for some wheelchairs, as they would be much more useful. We will have to look at that in due course.

I have approached our local TA and the WI and they are all collecting for us now, how wonderful is that. thumbsup Got the Brownies and possibly one school doing shoe box appeal for Christmas too. We are over the moon as we were donated an ex hire 40ft by 40ft marquee. All we need to do is buy the metal stakes. They are expensive here in UK £3.50 each and we need about 60, so we will get them made up in BG, which will help the local ironmonger business too.

Now that we have asked people to help, we are just delighted with the response and they are more than happy to be able to help in some way. Mind you, it is still very hard to get a foot in the door - Most companies have their own charities etc they donate to and believe me, it can be very disponding work, but then you get one that say YES, wow! it like you hit the jackpot thumbsup

We have people dropping stuff off and having a coffee and a chat and they are happy to see for themselves what we are like and get more info on our cause, nine times out of ten they will come back with more stuff.

Dougie and I wash, sort, pack the clothes and label the toiletries in Bulgarian. Then we label the boxes and store. But our spare room is getting jammed packed now so we are looking for a kind soul to donate warehouse space. The TA has offered to keep their stuff there until we find suitable storage space. so no panic yet. I am sure something will turn up. The RAF may also be helping us the end of April.

We will be paying the transport again ourself, although, when we are back on our feet properly we will be doing carboot sales, raffles etc to raise the funds. As most of you already know Dougie has had heart surgery in Nov 08 it went well, but he has to undergo another op. He is gutted, as he wanted to be in BG for April, still it can't be helped, his health comes first. I too went down with an illness 3 days after Dougie came out of hospital from his surgery, I was rushed in for another 8 days - We have been lucky in the past with only had minor ailments, the normal cold etc but for both of us to be struck down with major illness at once. it's just unbelievable. I am doing well too, again just a small op and please God we will be back to normal.

Bulgariabill has been a tower of strength to us and has build us a website and it will be going live in April, so hopefully we may get donations from there to make the improvements necessary in the Orphanage, but who knows what will happen.

I have written to various transport companies as they might be in a position to offer us some free space, but with the credit crunch, it is very difficult on them too. But I will keep trying.

I have contacted Opticians and now have 3 of them collecting recycling specs for us, I just need to find an Optician in Silistra to test for free I am working on that too.

I also need to find a way of getting the marquee out as the centre pole is about 25ft long with no breaks, so an all in one unit, the rest folds down - Could be, if we can't get it transported as a whole, we might be able to get a new pole in BG, but I have no idea of the cost, would that be possible??

Well now, you are all up to date again. Unfortunately, it is unlikely we will be moving to BG for another few years until Dougie health is all clear. But we can go for the summer months. We will start off by going for a month in Sept, naturally we want to be there when the lorry load arrives. Oh! it's so exciting I can't wait. We would love to have a big party at the Orphanage in our new marquee so might plan something around that -so watch this space.


Oddy [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Brilliant!!!! thanks

So we are looking for a man in the NO than [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Oddy

Hi Oddy can you give me some idea of the size of transport you will need by the time you have all the doors and floor ready ? I know that's a difficult question but it will give me some idea who I can ask ? if I can find the right people [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Well now Nets Good question

A 40FT container would be plenty big

ONLY JOKING HONEST!!

I am hoping to buy the flooring and the doors over there as they would be much cheaper and of course proper wood flooring would be better, unless I can talk someone into donating them here [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] So once we have raised the funds for them, we will then start on the transport costs of the goods. I would say we will have up to 10 or 20cub mts again next year. But you never know what might happen by next year.

We also want to get blankets and linen for the Home for the Elderly, they are in desperate need. Plus we need to help the refuge centre too. There is only so much we can do, we are only two people, we need the big guys and they are very difficult to pin down, but I am on the case [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

With all your eyes and ears everywhere, that man/woman in the NO just might turn up. - God, is indeed good.

Thank you all for your support we really do appreciate it.

Oddy

I love this post there is always something that puts a smile on my face in a nice way by the way [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] I think like its been said already perhaps we can do something here but we don't know it yet, I will be looking at all my friends and seeing if they can help in someway all the best to you both and you have my support with all you are doing

Well done am I dreaming or do you 2 really exist in this day and age

Thanks Guys [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Oddy [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Bernie and Dougie you don't need to thank us its you 2 who are doing such a fabulous job and making those children's live so much better and happier in all sorts of ways

sarah

:Sunny

We can but try Sarah - it's not easy but it is well worth it when we see their little faces

Oddy [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I love your new avatar Bernie is that Doogle and his family?

Talikng about avatars Ilove your signature is it Uncle Bulgaria ?

That' perfect,greethings!If on the world all the people are like you...I think that we would living in a paradise :)
If I have any mistakes,sorry... My english is bad

I've been trying to get on [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] for a few days now and it always says

Sorry for the inconvenience.
Our website is currently undergoing a major update.
Please try back soon !
Thank you for your understanding.

Anybody know what's wrong?

Hi All
Yes As it says it is under maintenance, Mail was sent to all members on the site.
Due to continual technical problems with th current host , I am in the process of moving hosts and designing a fresh new site.
I have spoken with Bernie and we hope to coincide the re launch with the update after she returns to UK

Thanks for patience
Bill
Site Manager

Thanks for the update Bill I have only just received an email about it today that's why I didn't know.

Your not alone Sally I got an email this morning too I did have a look about 2 days a go and it was under maintenance then, I'm sure it'll be back soon but more importantly the Lady of the moment will be back on Monday and next week at some point after speaking to Ashley we should have the pictures on the forum in Silistra's own Gallery with a slide show so something more to look forward to.