Here is your opportunity to
be part of our first project. Read below to see how you can help the vulnerable senior citizens in Bucharest through Our Lady of Mercy.
Our Lady of Mercy Romania / Asociatia Fecioara Maria a Milostivirii
In 2000, Sister Rose Carmel McNamara, came to
Romania from Ireland and was struck by the vulnerability and hopelessness of
the people that society had forgotten. Over the next five years, together with
a local team of volunteers and assistance from Ireland, Sister Rose worked with
the needy and in 2005, the Our Lady of Mercy Romania Association was created.
The organisation encourages people to live their
lives independently regardless of their age or material status. Today, their
main aim is to support senior citizens with low pensions and low income
families struggling to educate and raise their children.
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| Giving English lessons to local children |
Our Lady Of Mercy runs out is based in Sector 2 of Bucharest where more than 120 senior citizens who are mostly housebound, with little or no pension, congregate on a monthly basis to eat, laugh and integrate together – a place where they can enjoy themselves and forget about their worries! At the end of their time together, they are given basic provisions to take home. This time is given to offer encouragement, support, comfort and most importantly, friendship which many of their beneficiaries experience so little of.
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| The beneficiaries come together once a month for food and fellowship |
Chief Executive of Bridging The Gap, John McKellar,
has visited the project on two occasions and has this to say:
“I visited the project just before Easter and was
encouraged by not only the welcome that the senior citizens received, but the
way in which they laughed and shared with one another. At one point, they were
up on their feet dancing to an Irish jig and their lust for life and fun was
infectious. In a society where many react only to the needs of the vulnerable
children needing support, it is hugely encouraging to see that the elderly of
Bucharest are not forgotten”.
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| Our Lady of Mercy ensures that the beneficiaries have fun as well as receive help and support |
So What Can You DO?
The Our Lady Of Mercy Centre is a hub of
activity which consists of the organisation’s office, a learning space for
young people and also a food store, kitchen and eating area. Hygiene and safety
are of primary importance and for this reason, the centre needs refurbished.
The following is needed:
·
The
apartment needs a bright coat of paint – this includes 2 bathrooms, a kitchen,
hallway and three large rooms
·
Re-flooring
throughout the apartment
Paints,
painting materials and equipment will be needed for this task and if you are
able to help us resource these, this would move along the process. We also are
looking for:
·
A
team to come in and complete the renovation works. No building skills are
necessary, just an enthusiastic work ethic, the willingness to have fun and a
little bit of hard work. This could be you and a group of friends or why not a
team from your workplace?
Our Lady of
Mercy supports senior citizens and families on a monthly basis with basic food
packages. There are around 120 people who benefit from these packages every
month which include non-perishable foods including sugar, flour, pasta and oil
and toiletries including:
- Diapers (adult and childrens' sizes)
- Washing detergents
- Toothbrushes and toothpastes
- Soaps
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| There are 14 local volunteers who give up their time so generously to come in and cook for the beneficiaries |
Sister Rose
tells us the importance of this by saying “Our people cannot feed themselves
adequately with their pensions or wages which shows why we need non perishable foods and toiletries. Some of
our seniors have been bed ridden for years due to strokes and so our help is so
vital”.
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| The care packages of food and toiletries are so vital for the beneficiaries |
If you would
like to learn more about Our Lady Of Mercy, please visit their website or Like
their Facebook page
Additionally,
if you feel you would like to support the organisation through offering your
time to renovate or supplying any of the materials or supplies mentioned above,
please contact us by emailing john.mckellar@bridgingthegap.ro
THANK YOU!
