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OHIO ROMANIAN CHILDREN ASSOCIATION December 1998 Trustees of Ohio Romanian Children Association. Program Operations/Staff Requirements Proposed Central Multi-purpose Building Maps of Romania and Project Locations MissionThe mission of ORCA (Ohio Romanian Children Association) is to share knowledge and skills in the fields of child care and agriculture with citizens of Romania. ORCA endeavors to enable the Romanian people to adapt these (child care and agricultural) skills to their society through the establishment of joint demonstration projects in Romania. The ProgramORCA, a not-for-profit corporation, has acquired 75 hectares (185 acres) in Romanian Judet of Dambovita near Targoviste. ORCA intends to acquire farm machinery and begin farming 160 acres of this land. It is planned that four duplex houses and a multi-purpose building be constructed on the property to provide care for up to 80 children (10 in each house). Using the knowledge and skills of the Teaching Family Model, married couples will be employed to live with the children. Others will also be employed to assist in the management of the operations and the education and activities of the children. The initial childcare program includes 24 hour care for 40 children (10 in each home) for as long as the children are in need of care. Care of the children will involve them in learning self-maintenance skills for living independently as well as activities and recreation. Additionally, the program provides a school to educate the children. The ultimate education is to the maximum of each child’s ability and aspirations. Some will be prepared for university. A vocational program will prepare them to be a community asset. A program that allows the children and staff to integrate the farming and childcare operations is planned. Raising chickens and livestock, for example, will assist the children in learning work skills while generating revenue for the project. Long-term plans include the addition of four houses to bring the capacity of the program to 80 girls. Trustees of Ohio Romanian Children AssociationThomas Reynolds, Bellefontaine, OH President Thomas Park, Bellefontaine, OH Vice President Gerald Munn, MD, Bellefontaine, OH Association Treasurer Sally Dunnigan, Bellefontaine, OH Association Secretary Vasile Bouleanu Skokie, IL Romanian Liaison James Burkett, West Liberty, OH Ohio Representative Edward K. Core Jr. Rushsylvania, OH (Deceased) Thomas Fisher, Bellefontaine, OH The Rev. Joy French, Bellefontaine, OH The Hon. Mark O’Connor, Belle Center, OH Charles Peckham, Loveland, OH Beatrice Tierney, Alexandria, VA The NeedTraining - It is imperative that the child care staff have sufficient training in the Teaching Family Model to enable them to adequately apply the skills acquired. To enable sufficient training it is planned that one staff person will come to the United States for one to two years for a period of training. This person, with the technical assistance of skilled people from the U.S., will return to Romania and teach the other staff the knowledge and skills required. Costs for this multi-year training program include travel, living costs, stipends, etc., for bringing a Romanian to the United States, as well as travel and staff time for skilled practitioners to travel to Romania to provide technical assistance. Projected costs - $150,000 Land and Farming - Land has been granted to ORCA by the Judet of Dambovita for 75 years. Tractors, farm implements and farm buildings are required. Additionally, it is necessary to send a person to Romania who has farming skills. This person will have the responsibility of overseeing the farm operations and teaching agricultural skills to the people of Romania. Costs of this four-year program include farm machinery; farm buildings; the initial costs of operation, e.g. seeds, fuel, etc.; and the support of a person from American to live in Romania. Projected costs - $675,000 Houses and multi-purpose building - To enable the adequate care and training for the children, housing and a multi-purpose building are required. The multi-purpose building will house the classrooms and activity space. Each housing unit will provide for 10 children and a married adult couple. Costs include construction for two duplexes (4 housing units) and a multi-purpose building, and furnishings. Projected costs - $450,000 Program Operations/Staff RequirementsStaff requirements for program operations follow: 1 Director 8 Teaching Parents (4 married couples) 8 Teaching Parent Assistants 1 Assistant Director 4 Teachers 2 Teacher Aides 1 Cook Operational costs include personnel, maintenance, insurance, food, clothing, supplies, utilities, vehicles, medical and travel. Annual operational costs are projected to be $600,000. Projected costs - $600,000 Total Project Costs - $1,875,000 Proposed Central Multi-purpose BuildingOur Central Building will be based on this recently completed kindergarten building built by the Roman Catholic Church in Targoviste This building includes kitchen facilities as well as a children assembly area and classrooms. Maps of Romania and Project LocationsRomania and its Neighbors
Suta current girls’ school & Salcioara the 75 Hectares History of Ohio Romanian Children AssociationDecember 15, 1998 A brief history of the Ohio Romanian Children Association begins with integration of the Volunteers In Mission program, dedicated to Jesus Christ, into the Bellefontaine First United Methodist Church, 201 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, OH 43311. After an introduction to VIM, in late 1996, that church's Missions and Social Concerns Committee formed a VIM Subcommittee in early 1997. Using a member's business experience in Romania, his brief acquaintance with orphans and other public dependant children there, plus his past experience of having led about 6 missions from his prior church in Chicago, Illinois, to the Dominican Republic, they submitted a plan to their church administration for a mission to Romania. By June of 1997, they were well involved in mission endorsement, publicity, education, fund-raising, and recruitment. In late September and early October 1997, their largely self financed first 10 day mission to Romania occurred. The hardworking group, totaling 10 in all but with primarily 5 effective carpentry laborers, in just a few days, replaced 14 double windows at the orphan's residential school known as Suta Dragodana, located about 10 miles northwest of Targoviste (pop. est. 100,000), near a village called Picior de Munde. One member led others, who could be freed to go along, on a visit to another residential school for older children in the distant city of Costesti, plus two hospitals (one over 150 years old in Costesti and the other a "1950s model" in Targoviste), including their pediatrics departments. Back at Suta Dragodana, they donated food supplies of perhaps $20,000 in value and additional medical supplies. They also fed, enjoyed, and interacted, with the school's permanent student residents, and were able to accomplish a superficial evaluation of the dilapidated facility's condition. A Romanian American later described it as an old USSR barracks fit for demolition. Upon leaving Romania, Oct. 5, 1997, the missioners were surprisingly bonded to that school, its children, and staff. They knew that it was within their capacity and the capacity of the Romanians to improve not only that situation, but possibly that of the entire country's public dependant children population. Not only had they seen the slow progress of serial mission groups on bettering the lives of those children, the missioners knew that in their own state and county back home some wonderful examples of institutional dependant child care had already evolved to a high level of success. Such programs were likely to be good for others, including Romanian children, they later learned, for those programs provided examples of how responsibly led families anywhere, even including in our own homes in the U.S., could benefit families, child care institutions, and nations, around the world, because, they demonstrate how a family's responsibility is the teaching of both children and parents in successful life skills. Their last (1997) evening in Romania, after their usual daily prayer/communion, and before airplane departure to the U.S. the next morning, was spent around the dinner table speaking among themselves about, and meditating on, Romania and its children. They sensed that while missionary activity was appreciated, there, it appeared to be dabbling with problems that cried for more firm commitment and direction. Romanians, appearing somewhat dispirited because of their recent turbulent past and ongoing political infighting, not to mention their oppressive poverty and prior communistic spiritual cynicism, often seemed inured against the positive prospects and possible contributions offered by their dependant children population. Missioners wished the Romanians could see some of the best things being done in Ohio, even in their own small town of Bellefontaine, in Logan County. Within weeks they were inspired to ask, why not? After leaving some food purchase funds for the orphans, there was a small balance left from late donations and final expenses from the '97 mission. Using those funds, they might start to fulfill their wish to inspire Romania by the example of successful U.S. child care facilities. In February 1998, the VIM group brought four Romanians to Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio, U.S.A., to see how things might be done. Orphanage doctor, Carmen Anghel; Assistant Prefect of Judet Dambovita, Iulian Preda; Mayor of Targoviste, Teodor Bate, and Inspector General, Violeta Mihaescu, ran their legs off for 10 days in this area. They visited the Ross MRDD Center, RTC Industries, Children's Hospital in Columbus, the United Methodist Children's Home in Worthington, a nearby Joint Vocational School, Green Hills Care Center, local public schools, and Adriel School for Handicapped Children in neighboring West Liberty, Ohio. They met Bishop Judith Craig, Mayor Gail Hamilton, State of Ohio legislators and supreme court justices at the State House, had a conference dinner with the Logan County Extension Agent, visited the Wish family farm and another Amish family farm, toured museums including Logan County Historical and U.S. Air Force exhibitions, they met, dined, and conversed, with local service club and church groups, joined the missioners at church, huddled at times among themselves, and socialized briefly in the homes where they were quartered as personal guests. They must have learned fantastic things, for those who accompanied them were themselves stunned at how much and how well things are done here for children. Perhaps most awesome, for it fit best with their objectives, was Adriel School in West Liberty. President of Adriel School, Jim Burkett, said during his introductory remarks to the visiting group, (while speaking of handicapped public dependant children), "We know what works, what doesn't work, and what works best." Because, it was learned, Adriel School takes children there with small handicaps, and gently integrates them into society with a program called the “Teaching Family Model”. How to further nurture and develop this growing inspiration of improved child rearing and parental responsibility became a foremost concern, which operates on the principle of trying to "catch a child doing something right". They reward them, discipline them by child group mediation, ground them in the religion of their choice, train and place them for employment, and continue their social support. Since meeting him, the group has developed growing confidence in Jim Burkett and his support system, which arises from a consortium of many churches and is directed through the Mennonite Central Committee. They have been delighted to work with Jim, and to learn from him of the desire that these methods be disseminated world wide to the benefit of all children and their homelands. To the missioners' astonishment, halfway through their visitors' stay, during a luncheon with Bishop Craig, the Romanians presented to the VIM group an offer of a free 75 year land lease of fertile Romanian farmland, then 40 hectares, now increased to 75 hectares and possibly more, if it can be used toward the stated objectives of helping solve Romania's handicapped and dependant children's problem. The challenge seemed to be, "You have the insight, inspiration, and perhaps the income, to show us how it is done. Now, let us see you perform." This writer's personal view was, at that point, we might better simply define ourselves as a limited missionary cultural exchange group and decline the gift. It took about 2 months of consideration to grasp some more substantial ideas of the possibilities. Near the end of April 1998, a few missioners had established the Ohio Romanian Children Association, unofficially called O.R.C.A. The Bellefontaine First United Methodist Church, and through it the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist church, endorsed the organization much as they do Weekday Religious Education or Warm Clothes for Kids. But, they declined either administrative or direct financial responsibility, as with other organizations they endorse and may help, but don't run. The mission project is now accepted by the General Board of Global Ministries as Advance Special #194000‑1 Romania Children and is thus to be listed in their year 2001 catalog. Subsequently, on June 17, 1998, the Ohio Romanian Children Association became chartered in the State of Ohio, as a nonprofit charitable corporation (and chartered in Romania, in October '98). These Methodists, and other members including their Associate Pastor of the First UMC, Rev. Joy French, serve on the ad hoc Board of Trustees of O.R.C.A. For a few meetings they tried combined meetings of O.R.C.A. and VIM. But, O.R.C.A. is a year round nonprofit corporation responsibility, and VIM is a periodic mission activity. It became evident that while they are related, they require separate administrative attention. Presently, the missioners currently see O.R.C.A. as an ecumenical charitable organization, which can and does act as a host objective for Volunteers In Mission activities and funds. Their VIM Romania Group now meets separately. Some O.R.C.A. members are on the local church VIM Subcommittee, and through VIM can organize missions to Romania such as the one, 9/23‑10/3/98, which returned to the same area. On this most recent, 1998, mission to Romania, missioners worked at the same site at Suta Dragodana that had been visited the year before. Restoring the playground, interacting with and visiting the children, they were also able to begin preparations for some badly needed restoration of the deteriorated sewage and water system there. For, they found what at first seemed unbelievable. Raw sewerage was being pumped from a flooded basement onto the schoolyard. One missioner, with engineer's qualifications, was distracted from the full explanation of that sewerage filled basement for about 2 days. Second floor dormitory sinks, commodes, and showers, also didn't work. To the group activities of social interaction, playground repair, attending meetings to help with the Romanian incorporation of O.R.C.A., and doing other small repairs, was added the distress of wanting orphans' living conditions immediately improved. In some apparently emotional and occasionally heated meetings of the mission's leaders with local politicians and community members, both the dissatisfaction of the mission group about the public dependant children's standard of living and the local population's sense of detachment from responsibility for it were expressed. In acceptance of responsibility, and perhaps in remorse for conditions, the Romanians agreed to help on a 50:50 basis to rapidly repair the defective water and sewage systems. The mission group, on faith, accepted that agreement. Followers of the mission, back in the U.S., were amazed that the mission group embraced that extra burden. It is quite moving to contemplate the dedication and vigor with which that unique team accomplished their goal. At a cost of $21,000, their financial part was another $10,500 due. Now, it seems a miracle that the sewage and water system restorations are complete and paid for. Everyone is anxious to learn how it looks and works, after the VIM mission visit next year, in 1999. The Ohio Romanian Children's Association plan is to establish a modern residential public dependants school for girls on the land lease grant. They hope to finance it in part, and provide some education in the process, by using much of the land for farming while demonstrating American methods of, and equipment for, farming. This could provide the guidance and inspiration Romania needs to start, and advance, Teaching Family Model social environments for orphaned and foster children. Improved farms and natural environment may be a beneficial side result. Funding is the most pressing need. Ideally, O.R.C.A. would obtain a 10 million dollar foundation grant and operate the institution off that, indefinitely. Barring such a large grant, the next level of need is about $1,800,000 to build, equip, and run such a combination Teaching Family Model school and demonstration farm for its first 4 years. The lowest level of funding for survival of this mission, to date, has been supplied by current missioners, themselves, have recruited. Donors may make checks payable to the Bellefontaine First United Methodist Church and mark them Ohio Romanian Children Association. This fledgling nonprofit charitable corporation is struggling. Everything it does is accomplished by volunteer effort. Organizing with increasing sophistication as they go along, they have established a Board of Trustees which includes those participants on '97 and '98 missions to Romania, and excludes only those who, for one reason or another, are unable to get to the meetings. A recently refined Finance Committee has accounted for all past expenditures, but needs procedural guidelines more efficiently set and has written a Finance Committee constitution. They hope to acknowledge all but anonymous donors as they go along. A booklet of corporation regulations has been printed and is being reviewed, edited, and modified, as needed. A case statement has been written and awaits more action. Meanwhile, O.R.C.A. president, Tom Reynolds, continues to network worldwide and make an array of useful accomplishments. He has gained donations of food, clothing, dental equipment, and supportive services such as for transportation and storage of equipment donated, as well as providing assistance in getting travel, immigration, and training, credentials for prospective institutional employees of O.R.C.A. inside Romania. Mayor Teodor Bate provides our stable focal point for action in Romania. The mission group could be plagued by doubt, but their success to date seems to have been so blessed as to overcome great odds against it. Those who like miracles have enjoyed watching this one, so far. The O.R.C.A. group is making progress thanks in no small part to missioners' fund-raising. Because they are functioning on a fully voluntary basis, they have difficulty finding time to effectively publicize all they have done. To date, all that has been done has been from someone's donation of sacrificed funds or time. The group recognizes a need to refine their nonprofit corporate communication. One immediate benefit is an informative newsletter, which would be a good move toward making and keeping themselves better known as the Ohio Romanian Children's Association. Once the point is reached where a staff can be hired to meet the growing demands of organization, building, care delivery, communication, and demonstration farming, the O.R.C.A. may be able to exhibit more polish. For now they are relying almost entirely upon enthusiasm and goodwill. Gerald Munn, M.D. UPDATE! 2/10/99Another major step for our program for the children. Without a source for support beyond our faith and history, Joyce Rung-Donnini will be living in Romania. She has a Masters in Social Work in addition to being a licensed social worker. Joyce will live at Suta Dragodana (girls school) Joyce’s on the ground presence has allowed us to commit to the “Feed My Children” program. This will provide one nutrition fortified meal per day. Her presence provides confidence for our contributors that all donations get to the children for whom they were designated. Mayor Bate and Joyce make a formidable team Our Children
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[ORCA] [CASE STATEMENT] [1997 Mission] [1998 Mission] [1999 Mission] [2000 Mission] [Joyce's Children] [Kindergarten Children] |
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