Kenneth in Scotland ... Kathryn extra busy!

Kenneth has been away in Scotland for the past couple of weeks attending meetings, discussing the work and speaking at a couple of groups. He did also hope to get some days teaching work as we desperately need the money .. but by the time he was able to get away, exam time had come to Scotland and so the demand for supply teachers to cover for classes was lower. In the past he has managed to get a few days here and there, but this time, nothing at all.

However, it's still been good for him to be in Scotland spending time with family and friends, though as is always the case he is limited and can't see everyone he would like to. The photo shows him and Lauri (Vis de Copil Scotland) in a meeting (note the co-ordinated sitting position!) Actually the photo was taken the last time we were over together while we were making a Business Plan, but I don't have any photos of this trip!

Much has happened over these last couple of weeks including the addition of several new volunteers at the "Secret Garden". There is a project for young people in Arad called the "Millennium Project" which has volunteers from all over Europe and even as far afield as Turkey. I have been privileged to meet people from a wide range of countries including Germany, France, Holland, Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and UK. Some of them want to come on a regular basis for the rest of their time in Arad. They are a lovely crowd of young people and I think it's a great initiative to bring together young folk from so many countries to work together on projects. As well as social and community projects they participate in environmental projects such as planting trees.

We also have two young Romanian volunteers coming to the centre although at the moment they are in the middle of exams. Finally we have two girls, one from Poland and the other from Spain based in Arad with another youth initiative who also want to be involved in our work. It's exciting for us and very encouraging that so many people want to help us and be involved in our work with the poor and needy. Of course this doesn't decrease our need for long term volunteers but it means we can do more activities in the day centre. If Irina and I are alone it takes all our time to supervise and maintain discipline while making sandwiches, soup, teas and coffees ... at the same time loading and unloading the washing machine, and answering everyone's questions. Having an extra volunteer or two (or more) is a great help and really benefits both us and our clients. On Wednesday 5 volunteers came and played games and helped young people with drawing and basic literacy and yesterday a German volunteer came to do musical activities with the homeless young people.