Ukraine Refugee Crisis – Report Thursday April 22nd 2022

Our sincere thanks for your continued support, financially and in prayer for the ongoing efforts of how Smiles is assisting the Ukrainian Refugee Response.

We have been humbled by the support and generosity of the Smiles Family and as a result, tremendous results have been possible for those we assist.
After an amazing effort from several Smiles Staff, we managed to get the Emergency Housing Unit fully furnished with beautiful new supplies for the Refugee families. The place really looked super and provides a lovely home for the families. EHU Family.

We are delighted to have mothers and children being provided safe and comfortable housing and as you can see, the children are very happy with their new, temporary home.
Thank you for making Smiles!

NB This is the sort of project that St Peters helps to finance through our regular donations to Smiles. Jam sales etc..

Smiles hold a Zoom Prayer Meeting on the last Monday of each Month. Next one will be 30th May at 7.00pm. If you would like to join in please contact John Hastings-Thomson at hastingsthomson@btinternet.com and he will let you have the link when he receives it a few days before the meeting.

Mission Trip to Smiles - Part Two from Dinah
                                                      

During my week with Smiles we had some choice about places we could help. I chose to work on the Monday with a team in the glasshouse. The glasshouse produces plants for sale to supermarkets etc. The profits go towards supporting the work of Smiles, as a commercial enterprise . 

It was physically hard work, on the knees and back. When we had finished that task, three to four hours later we were asked to do the same to another group of plants, before we left.  

Smiles have a centre at Solante, where they have a disability centre, with spacious rooms, a pool and a well equipped sensory room, which was incredible.
The disability club was run by a trained staff member. Today she was doing activities around the theme of understanding our emotions and feelings. Local parents bring their Downs Syndrome children, and children with special needs are brought from a local school. A clock face with emoji pictures was passed round the circle and the children moved the arrow to show how they felt that day. We sang, played games, and decorated a face picture. Then there were snacks. A boy called Akasj took a shine to me. 
In the afternoon we held a service for the assisted living residents, all women, followed by a game of skittles with a soft ball. I was shown around the accommodation and met an incredible blind lady, who I let feel my height to see how tall I was. Staff from Smiles translated.
Some of the residents were dumped there by relatives, who wouldn't pay their keep. Smiles won't turn anyone away, they will find the money. 

13.4.22

Dinah, Jane and John's Visit to Smiles

We were there for the dedication of the site for Smiles latest project - Sunset House. On the Sunday Morning we woke up to a light covering of snow which could have made any digging difficult. Fortunately, by mid-afternoon the snow had disappeared and the dedication went ahead more or less to plan. The sun even made a brief appearance. Our photograph from St. Peters was there! 

We had three encounters with Ukrainian Refugees. On Monday we spent time helping to staff the Refugee Reception Centre in Oradea which has been set up by the City Authorities. As you will see from photographs it is very light and welcoming with some amazing art work. Smiles are responsible for staffing the centre for one day a week. On a Monday. the 12 hours were split into 4 3-hour shifts. Photos show the Reception Area and two Ukrainian Boys playing in the the children's play area. The facilities also included a parent and toddlers’ area, sleeping area, café, medical facilities with a doctor and nurse, food distribution area, clothes distribution. Two families, who need long term accommodation, are being accommodated in a house owned by Smiles in Mierlau. When we visited, they were busy involved in chopping wood for next winter.

9.3.22

2.3.22    Ukraine Refugee Crisis – News Report

The Smiles Foundation’s Response to the War in Ukraine and the Refugees fleeing to Europe

Oradea, where Smiles is based, is becoming a transit area for refugees hopefully moving onto friends/relatives elsewhere in Europe. Smiles have already dispatched two van loads of supplies and are now organising a coach to take a group of 60 refugees to Italy on Wednesday. They have prepared their Gepiu Centre to receive refugees in transit or for a longer stay. By the time you read this some refugees may have already arrived.

Smiles are ideally placed to help but they will need money. Anyone who can contribute please visit the Smiles website at: https://www.thesmilesfoundation.org/ukraine-refugee-crisis-news-report/ where donations can be made.

Dinah, Jane and John H-T are booked to be in Oradea with Smiles during the first week in April and will keep you posted on developments. In the meantime please pray for the refugees and the people trying to help them.