Gifts For Moldovian Children From Areas Hit by Flood

The csango children form the areas of Moldova hit by the flood were enjoying a colorful program here at Oradea. The group is participating in a series of trips during their holiday camping at Pestis, paying a short visit to our city as well. The kids were sightseeing our famouse buildings and institutions, tourist sites including the Roman-Catholic Cathedral. The beauty of this magnificent building had its effect even on these little ones, surprising their host, Zsolt Vakon, secretary of the bishopryic, singing a little Hungarian religious hymn.  Before continuing their journey to the Baths of Felix, the Oradean trip ended with the gifts offered by our organisation. The packages full of sweets, personal hygiene products and school supplies were given to the kids by Caritas CEO, abbot Joseph Rajna, hoping that the smile on their little face reflected a moment when they could let go of the painful memory of the disaster. In the making of this charitable gesture we were accorded financial support by Martha Agnes Hesz (Societas Jesu Cordis Order) and the Franz Ludwig Highschool of Bamberg.

20.08.2010

Caritas Catolica Charity Transport Being On Its Way to Moldova

The charitable event held in July, by Caritas Catolica focusing on the residents of Moldova hit by the flood, has come to be successfully finalized. The volunteers of youth organization Var-Lak was carefully selecting the necessary clothing and basic food and prepared it to be transported to Suceava. The transportation means have been assured by the county Prefecture in collbaoration with CEO of the Romanian Post, Popa Claudiu, while CEO of Electric Services, Radu Matica contributed with the necessary fuel.

Our organization is already planning to send another significant amount of goods in the close future to the areas hit by the disaster. While we are working on gathering the necessary funds that cover the expenditures of the next transport, we wish to express our sincerest gratitude for the generous-hearted citizens of Oradea and those who gave a helping hand to realize our goal.

13.08.2010

Generous Gesture To The Victims Of The Disaster in Moldova

       A charitable event was held between the 12th and 23rd of July, in the building of the former Saint Joseph Hospital. With the initiative of Caritas Catolica Oradea and the participation of volunteering members of the Var-Lak youth organization as well, a tag day was held to collect clothing, footwear and preserved food for the residents of the areas in Moldova hit by the flood. In the transportation of the collected donations a helping hand will be given by the county prefecture of Bihor. Our hopes in the power of joined forces came to be true. Those presenting at the scene had contributed with a significant amount of goods, adding to the success of diminuating the unfortunate consequences of the flood.
Our collegues prepared a few photos of the event demonstrating our devotion.

Volunteers during the selection and classification of goods:





















































































We are most thankful for all your help!

2010.07.29
_____________________________________________________________________________
Caritas Delegation In Netherland

      At the invitation of Mrs. Coby Willemsen, president of Steungroep Nederland Roemenie Foundation, a delegation of four people had a visit in the Netherlands on behalf of Caritas Catolica.
      Mrs. Hortenzia Nagy, chief accountant, Mr. Károly Kiss, manager of Caritas Marghita, Mr. Ferencz Bai, CEO of SC. General FIF Construcţii and Mr. Geyer László, architect, participated in various programs familiarizing Dutch social projects. The purpose of the visit was to learn of new techniques, successfully implemented in healthcare projects in Holland. As the renovation of the new Caritas headquarter represents a fresh start to us, our organization wants to get acquinted with new tehniques of social assistance and would like to practice them on their own at home.
      The building, which in the past gave plave to the St. Joseph Hospital, was offered by the Roman-Catholic Bishopric of Oradea in February 2010 to Caritas, with the aim of developing the new headquarter of Caritas here.
      The visit of our group of specialists in Holland was very useful, because we are currently in the the planning phase of this new and challenging project. Mrs. Coby Willemsen and her husband, Jan Willemsen, as good hosts, guided their guests through several institutions such as elderly homes, homecare- and daycare centers. We wish to express our gratitude for their hospitality.










































_____________________________________________________________________________


The Visit of the Czech Caritas in Oradea

      The Budejovice Caritas organization, represented by social worker Iveta Sveková and volunteer Alena Kohoutova, paid a short, but all the more friendly visit to their colleagues in Oradea . The purpose of the visit was to get to know the social services provided by Caritas Oradea, as well as the local staff.




(from left to right): Vilcsek Ferenc parish priest from Tileagd, Iveta Svekova, Alena Kohoutova and Rajna József manager of Caritas Catolica.




(from left to right): Hegedus Ilona external affairs rapporteur Caritas Oradea, Vera Michalicova, Alena Kohoutova, Orosz Béla reformed pastor from Ártánd, Iveta Sveková and Rajna József in the Ártánd parish yard.

      The collaboration between Caritas Oradea and Budejovice started in 2009, when owing to the initiative of the Czech organization, a truck loaded with donations was received in Oradea . After this, we have also received an invitation to visit the Czech organization.



Caritas Oradea's visit in the Czech Republic in 2009

25.05.2010
_____________________________________________________________________________
Easter at St. Martin Old People's Home

      This year, the residents of St.Martin Old People's home enjoyed a really special Easter owing to the gift-making accessories received from the dutch Stichting Oost-Europa Boskoop foundation.

































10.04.2010
_____________________________________________________________________________

Dutch Gifts For The Elderly

      The loyal Dutch supporters of Caritas Catolica, Jaap and Trijntje Stellingwerff (Stichting Oost Europa Boskoop), had come again tn visit Oradea . This time, they brought a lot of gifts for the residents of the old people's home in Oradea and Marghita.
      The collection of the presents was initiated by Mrs. Wortmann, a 99th years old lady from Rijswijk city, also an old people's home resident. Her action was assisted by her elderly-mates and by Helen de Jager, the leader of one of the Institutes, who contributed with money to the collection.
      The packages contained towels, soap-holders, sweets, porcelain windmills, as well as objects which are reminiscent of the city of Rijswijk . The elderly have decorated with cross patterns the towels and Christmas cards, so that the receivers can distinguish them. The old people's home residents warmly welcomed the packages. Indeed, the elderly expressed an honest joy and enthusiasm that truly surprised their guests.




























25.11.2009
_____________________________________________________________________________

One Million Star For The People In Need


      On the evening of Saturday, 14 November 2009, in 7 cities (Iasi, Satu Mare, Târgu Mures, Cluj, Oradea, Blaj, Timisoara) across Romania, a sea of candles were lit for the initiative entitled "One Million Stars". The goal of this global campaign is to give a sign of solidarity with the poor, marginalized people of society by illuminating a representative place or building by candles. Each candle represents a person in need.
      In Oradea, 500 candles were lit on the stairs of the National State Theatre creating a familial atmosphere. The movement was organized by the Roman and Greek Catholic Caritas (Caritas Catolica and Caritas Eparchial Oradea). Both Caritas director (Rajna József and Olimpiu Todorean) greeted the attendees, while the Greek Catholic Bishop, Virgil Bercea, blessed the candles. After praying and singing together, each of the participants could take a candle at home.
      After the event, the following Sunday was a charity day in the Catholic churches when 'the hat was passed round' for the needy of the town. The donated sum will be used by the Caritas Catolica for the benefit of children in need and by the Caritas Eparchial for his social canteen project.

      We are most thankful to everyone who joined us and for any help that was offered.







17.11.2009
_____________________________________________________________________________


Medicine- and Food Aid From Germany - 18.08.2009

      A new medicine- and food aid had arrived at Caritas Catolica sent by the firefighters of Bad Vilbel town, Germany. This time, it was also accompanied by five volunteers from Bad Vilbel. The gift contained medicine mainly (antibiotics, cold pills, infusions, cholesterol lowering drugs). Besides, they have also brought food and chocolate provided by the companies Maggi and Ferrero. The delegation was made up of: Wolfgang Potinius - director of Wetterau ltd., Oswin Veith - Provincial President, Ottmar Lich - Regional Vice President, Rainer Schwarz - President of Company OVAG and Gerhard Stengel retired firefighter, who also organizes and checks the storage and distribution of the aid packages.
      We would like to thank this way, too, the many years of voluntary support to the "FREIWILLIGE FEUERWEHR DER STADT BAD VILBEL".





18.09.2009
_____________________________________________________________________________

Donation For Children Suffering of Phenylketonuria (PKU)

      Owing to devoted sponsors, the members of PKU Life Foundation (registered in the autumn of 2005) have received a new donation. Caritas Catolica Oradea is searching for years to find donators of special food products for the PKU Life Foundation.
      At the moment, the PKU Life Foundation has 40 members across the country: Bucharest, Maramures, Carei, Satu Mare, Cluj Napoca, several towns of Bihor county and Moldova. Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disease, which means the inability of the human body to completely metabolize a compound of proteins: phenylalanine (PHE).
      The substances that result of the incomplete metabolism have a degenerative effect upon the nervous system. The treatment consists of keeping a strict diet based on food of low PHE. The PHE free milk is the main constituent of the diet of low proteins. The allowed foods for people with PKU disease are: products that lack PHE such as dietary flour, dietary pasta, egg substitutes, milk substitute, sweets and some vegetables and fruits.
      Food that a child with PKU can eat any time are water, sugar and honey!
      The processing of these special products is very expensive.
      Recently, thanks to two sponsors, namely the Aktion Brückenshlag Organization from Bamberg, we ordered special food from Germany for 17 people with PKU that cost 2500 Euros, and Mr. Attila Tilger as well (born in Oradea), who lives now in the USA has donated $ 500 to purchase special food. He is the patron of the PKU Life Foundation for years. From this we could buy rice, pasta, bread and cake spices for approx. 20 children from families with financial difficulties. Many thanks!





12.08.2009
_____________________________________________________________________________

Special Olympics!!

      Sunday, June 7th, 2009, The 4th Edition of Sports Competitions Dedicated to Intellectually Challenged People took place at the stadium of Zalau.
       The group of the organizers was made up by representatives of the Sports Management of Salaj, the Social Assistance and Child Protection Management of Salaj, Community Social Assistance Management of Zalau, the Prader Willi Association, the "Acasa" Foundation of Zalau and of the BACH office of Caritas Catolica Zalau This event focused on the same mission as in previous years, namely: to organize sports competitions for intellectually challenged children and adults offering them a chance to develop physically, to prove their courage and to share their joy for life with their family, friends and other Special Olympics competitiors and their community.
      As for the opening of the event, children from the Community Services Centre of Cehu Sivaniei and volunteers of the Prader Willi Association offered an artistic show dedicated to all of the participants.
      In the competitions participated 48 athletes with intellectual disabilities. The contest consisted of running 50, 100, 200 and 800 meters, long jump, baseball- and basketball throwing. The contests were led by judges, professors of the Sports Management.
      The training of the competitors was realized by the volunteers of the Acasa Foundation, through several sport games aiming to maintain physical endurance and to raise the level of socializing between one another.
      All the participants were given food packages offered by the Social Assistance and Child Protection Management through local sponsorships, balls offered by Prader Willi Association, medals /diplomas from the Romanian Special Olympics Organization and T-shirts / badges from the Illinois Special Olympics Organization.
      Considering the purpose of this event, that is mobilizing community resources for social integration of challenged people through sports , in the name of all of the organizers, I would like to thank to those who have voluntarily engaged in this event, proving once again that we can build a society where its' members' attitude show acceptance and granting of equal chances for all social categories .






Maria Brazdau - coordinator
Bureau of Assistance and Counceling for Challenged People of Zalau


10.06.2009
_____________________________________________________________________________
The spirit of chaerity in Christmas time at the Caritas 2008

Christmas in the prison
Homeless people`s Christmas at the shelter
Christmas at the Children`s Hospital
The making of the Christmas presents
Christmas at the Caritas center in Marghita