The news featured on this page comes from Carolyn White, volunteer administrator for NOROC, and Mary Ferris, Mission Co-Worker for the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. in Romania.

July 25, 2002

Mary Writes:

I went to the Centru today, unexpectedly, and was overwhelmed by the great things I saw. ALL the children were with their grannies. I saw one granny having gymnastics with her little ones, then time for music. Another granny was playing with play dough. All this I am certain is from Cristina's (NOROC's psychologist) and Adriana's (a Romanian pre-school teacher who is now helping NOROC) influence, and Carol Schempp's schedule. They follow it very carefully as far as I can tell. All the children have made tremendous progress. The twins are walking.

It has cooled off here now. I took a small fan I bought in Cluj and put it up on a high shelf in one of the rooms. It workes so well that everyone wants one, but I can't find them in Tulcea. I'll look around.

THIS IS PROGRESS. The new rooms are so well used and the children are all talking . . . This is the biggest of miracles . . . AND ALL the children look well nourished. To see everyone of the children out of their cribs, except for the smallest babies, was a wonderful feeling.

July 9, 2002

Carolyn returned this week from a 3.5 week trip to Tulcea, Romania with her daughter Natalie. While in Romania she visited Mary, the NOROC staff, and all of the children whom NOROC serves. She had this good news to report:

* Babies now have grannies two times per day. This double does of stimulation is very healthy because now they do not have to lay in their cribs in the dark after 4 p.m.

* ALL the first graders passed the first grade this year! This difference is thanks to the Big-hearted Teachers, who have dedicated themselves to the success of each child.

* No children were transferred to the mentally and physcially handicapped area for the last 2 years!

* Many of the youth have recent achievements to celebrate: Four 8th grade girls passed the entrance exam and hav the opportunity to continue in an academic high school. One boy was accepted into the high school for performing arts in singing. This is the first time that someone from the orphanage system was accepted! His older brother won first place in a national contest in traditional folk dance, sponsored by the European Union. He is transferring to a performing arts school in Bucuresti. A girl from the orphanage won first place in the same contest for martial arts and she has transferred to Bucuresti also!

* Mary has organized five small groups each with an adult lader and a youth leader. The groups meet for Bible study, or for fun outings like trips to a nearby forest or a monastary. The leaders help the children with any problems, such as taking them to the doctor.

* During her visit, Carolyn was able to attend one of NOROC's monthly birthday parties for seven girls and one boy. The group sang the traditional Romanian celebration song for each child using their name. One 16 year-old girl started crying because no one had ever sang to her on her birthday.

* NOROC has paid the fee for all kids to attend their 8th grade graduation banquets. They have never been able to attend before this year. These banguets are very important to the kids, since high school graduation is not traditionally celebrated.

* Using NOROC's money, Mary has been very diligent in getting eye glasses, hearing aids, and dental care for all the children who need it.

* The living skills group at the Casa NOROC Youth Center is doing great. When Carolyn visited unexpectedly, she found about 10 girls cooking and sewing. They were so excited to see her, and she was thrilled to see all that they were doing.

* NOROC has recently purchased a 9 passenger mini-van. The van was purchased as a response to so many children moving to remote village orphanages, and the need to take children and social workers to other cities for their medical attention.

* To handle the complex "rules" of Romanian roadways, NOROC hired a van-driver, Gica. (Those of you who have been to Romania understand that driving is very, very difficult. There are often sheep, horses, & carts in the road as well as drivers on either side!) Gica is a wonderful man for the job. He is the father-figure that the children need. He reminds them of their manners but gives them love also. Gica also is Mary's protector in all situations. He takes immaculate care of the minibus and will save NOROC so much money in future maintenance and repairs.

* Mary arranged for three kids from the orphanage to have major orthopedic surgery to correct problems that should have been done years an years ago. They are now recovering from their surgery. "Family" members have to change the sheets and wash the patients in the hostpital. Prayers are needed for these three.

* Carolyn took 8 trunks of supplies on the airplane with her. Thank you to all the generous people who sent NOROC so many gifts to take. Some of these gifts were given to the children in the orphanages during Carolyn's visit: the 8th graders who were successful, to the other students who won academic honors in their classes, and to the birthday kids. It is so exciting to watch the joy in the children of all ages when they receive a gift and affirmation!

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