24th August 2008
Due to unforseen logistical problems the proposed humanitarian aid trip to Romania planned for September 2008 has had to be put back by eight weeks to November 2008.
This is a dissapointment but the extra weeks in preparation will ensure that we have sufficient experienced aid workers to help unload and deliver the boxes of aid to the families and other groups while we are there.
The large number of families we are helping this year, with the inception of the Adopt a Family project, has meant much more paperwork and planning than we have had to complete in the past.
It is imperative that we get the aid out to the poor families in the rural areas of Romania before the winter fully sets in.
November is not the first choice of months for travelling out to Romania to deliver aid but we have very good knowledge of what to expect as far as the weather is concerned and have the experienced personel on board now to ensure that all the aid is delivered without major problems.
One aspect which has really effected us this year is the increase in transport costs - over £1000 more than May 2007. However when this is set along side the value of the goods we have collected and the number of needy Romanians we touch whilst on the aid trip it is, in fact, very good value for money.
More funding is still needed and any donations would be very helpfull even at this stage of the planning.
Weighing some of the 100 pieces of special equipment for dissabled children and preparing the transportation paperwork in readiness for the
Drop in the Ocean Humanitarian Aid Trip to Romania November 2008.
1st August 2008
It's all hands to the pumps, so to speak, at the moment for the Oak Tree team and all their helpers and supporters.
Provisional dates in September 2008 have been set down for the Drop in the Ocean Project 2008 to take place taking much needed humanitarian aid out to families and other groups in Romania
Saturday 22nd March 2008
Syngenta Limited at Alderly Edge, Cheshire have kindly donated five pallets of computer equipment to Oak Tree which will be transported over to Romania and split between two village schools and a children disabled association.
Pictured below is Martin Williams and David MCasey from Syngenta waiting to load the pallets on to the back of the Oak Tree wagon:
Tuesday 18th March 2008
Collection of donated clothing, toys and educational supplies from the residents of Wessen Court, Marsden, Huddersfield.
Although not our youngest supporters the residents have been supporting Oak Tree for many years and have again been busy knitting and collecting vital basic aid for poor families in the villages of Romania.
Pictured below is Mrs Margaret Leyland just finishing the boxes and bags ready to be handed over:
9th February 2008
Oak Tree Foundation launches its appeal for help from groups in the
Drop in the Ocean Family Box Project 2008.
An appeal has gone out to individuals and members of church groups, Mother's Unions, WI, Cubs, Scouts, Guides & Brownies, Social Groups to Adopt a Family.
OTF have for many years delivered Family Boxes of clothing to a large number of poor and needy children and their families but this year they have over 60 families to support.
Help is needed and that is why this appeal has been made.
Any group that offers help will be more of less adopting the family for this years project and will be given details of the family, the number of adults, children and their sizes so that the clothing transported to Romania will fit the person who receives it. That means NO WASTE.
Everything is needed from shoes and socks to underclothes and coats. We do not expect new clothing but as long as it fit that will be OK. A guide the OTF members have used in the past is
' Would I wear it? Would I put that on my child to wear?'
If the answer is yes then it is suitable to be donated and used in Romania.
Help and assistance will be given to each group into hopw to go about things and what else can be put into the boxes ( like toothpaste and brushes). We will also provided the boxes for packing.
A photograph of the family being helped will also be given to the group so they can actually see who it is that will be receiving their gifts of help.
After the project the OTF will give up dates to the various groups as to how their adopted family is doing.
Anyone interested should look at the special page on this web site or contact the OTF via the contact page or using the telephone numbers supplied.
News came in this week of the death of Elena Szasz the 32 year old mother of eight in Sighisoara, Romania.
We understand that Elena died from cancer on the 27th November 2007, and what makes this such sad news, this was just three weeks after she gave birth to her eighth child.
Members of the OTF have know Elena and her children for a number of years and we know that the family are devastated. There are now concerns over what will happen to the children of the family as father is out of work and unable to support them.
OTF are working closely with a local Christian charity - VERITAS - in Sighisoara to help the family and try to ensure that they are not split up and and the children placed into homes.