We have arrived! Our long anticipated adventure in service to Romania has been set into motion. What a unique and multi-faceted journey it has already been in our travels from Minneapolis to Barlad…

So, there you have 12 thoughts to trigger memories of what we’ve already shared in our journey to where we’ve arrived. It’s hard to believe that just 12 months ago this trip was still just an idea. I am so moved by the people who made an idea a dream come true!

It has been remarkable to see people engage in this program from so many angles.

Children’s pharmacists prepared and sold medication at cost for the hospital that is hosting our volunteer efforts.

Trip participants and friends made 60 quilts as a community gift for the Failure to Thrive Clinic and babies we’ll be working with.

A nurse from Children’s-St. Paul designed and painted a “Romanian Traveler Charlie Brown” as a tribute to this trip for the 2001 “Peanuts on Parade”.

Nutrition Services showed some of their best work at our send off party and “baby shower” held for the children at Tutova Hospital with a beautiful cake spelling out B-A-B-Y in candy blocks.

The Storybook Gift Shop at Children’s-Mpls even donated pink and blue balloons to add to the backdrop of our festivities as we celebrated “going global” with our volunteer program!

Thousands of miles away, countless co-workers, volunteers, friends and family members await updates and stories of the time we’ll spend volunteering in Romania.

These contributions of time, thought and intent make quite a statement about those who make up the culture of Children's Hospitals and Clinics. The thought for the day that I’ll share is a favorite notion of what is gleaned from travels to new and different places: “I am not the same person having seen the sun shine on the other side of the world.” May we light tomorrow with today!

~Natalie, Volunteer Services, Children’s-Minneapolis

It is a beautiful day. The sun is shining and birds and sprouts are popping out on the trees and from the earth. This morning we visited a middle school and a high school, which is the oldest and judged as the finest high school in the country. Our team leader, Mihaela, has taught there and was able to give us some of its history.

After lunch, we drove to Tutova to spend some time with the children. They are so beautiful, and I believe they drink in the affection we give them. Our entire team is so enthusiastic, and. I believe, have already given their hearts to these little people. We look forward to sharing our time with them these next two weeks.

My thought for the day is taken from a clip I cut from somewhere many years ago, and posted on the refrigerator until the paper turned yellow.

~Dora, Volunteer, Children’s-Minneapolis

Today marked the beginning of many new relationships for our team. Each of us has been assigned to a room of babies or to the room of toddlers. We were both extremely excited and a little cautious as we put on our slippers and walked in the direction of those little ones that we knew would get tucked into places in our hearts to remain there forever. Smiles, hugs, kisses, songs, bottle with huge holes for pureed soup, even bigger are the diapers that somehow fit between the tiny legs, balance bars, pizza sticks and potty chairs, spit up, soup poops and tears, first stroller rides (some frightened by the first time…others mesmerized!)

We had encouraging moments when one sat alone for a few moments or let out their first giggle or sat down during a walk to communicate her desire. And we heard that Lucci (a toddler from the first group of babies that Global Volunteers worked with in Tutova) now has a loving home to go to with people who are familiar to him.

We had funny moments seeing Patty race back and forth trying to corral her three toddlers, then teaching them to “read in the bathroom” or watching Lucci run down the hall with money from Natalie’s purse, or seeing babies randomly propped up on one another, perfectly content.

We had many precious moments of 11 babies crying in colorful quilts made by Children’s-West friends, all contented because loving people were there to hold and talk to them. Or two babies holding hands, or another softly rubbing the foot of a baby next to him, or many resting heads on shoulders because they felt secure.

And we had sad moments of being reminded that innocent children get abandoned and sick and have a hard time growing up and that adults around us work so hard to make ends meet in a nation that is struggling in that slow journey between communism and autonomy.

In the midst of all these moments, what do the children teach us? That what all human beings long for is acceptance, unconditional love and someone to believe we can do it and are willing to support us along the way, continuing to love us even when we don’t feel like trying for a while.

A trip to multiple stores followed the clinic time to buy pampers (yippee!) butt cream and wipes (some babies have severe diaper rashes) And then the day was celebrated by a wonderful dinner at a little restaurant set up just for us down the street from the hotel. Stuffed tomatoes, chicken shishkabobs, and chocolate crepes were made more delightful by the opportunity to taste a wine and to toast our team leader, Mihaela for her awesome attentiveness to all of our many needs.

Watching a chicken before its last breath, discovering a fascinating hole at the end of dinner, continuing dialogue about crunchy toilet paper and experiences at the internet café, and faces of children in our minds that we look forward to seeing tomorrow with the opportunity to get down on the floor and try to put together some of the pieces of their lives.

All cause us to say “multsemesc” (thank you!) to the great day.

~Susie, Surgery, Children’s-West

At home, the first full day of spring…a time of growth. A time of beauty and change. In Tutova the grass is much greener and flowers beginning to show. In the clinic, both the volunteers and the children are beginning a similar season.

It has been a rainy day for this area. Lucci went outside anyway. We arrived cold and damp. Our hearts were warm anyways. We loved the children as much as we could, (in just a few hours). They cried when we left anyway. In the midst of this all…growth and change happened anyway.

Thick, bulky and often soaked cloth diapers and pins were replaced with Pampers. Little baby bottoms were given “naked time” in room #9. Of course one little boy couldn’t wait to sprinkle! Bottles arrived and many children were held while they ate - some likely for the first time. They seemed a bit perplexed! Toddlers learned about sharing and having the chance to take off their hats. Volunteers were changed as Andra gave us a glimpse into the lives of these children, medically and socially. What a mix of emotion - joy learning some of the infants will go home to parents who miss them. Heartache, learning so many will not. Frustration and near speechlessness, that some mothers abandoned these beautiful children. Abandoned in the truest sense of the word.

After two days we are getting to know so much about these children. After two hours, (Natalie and I could not wait any longer), we got our pictures to have to remember all the things about them. Bedtimes came a little earlier tonight, (though not soon enough for some!) It is so obvious we are giving everything we can, physically and emotionally, to these children. The bit of growth we’ve already seen gives us the strength to keep working hard so the children and staff will also reap the benefits of a great growing season.

~Jenny, Volunteer, Children’s-Minneapolis

Thursday, March 21, 2002

The sun is shining as we travel down the now familiar roads to Tutova. Our third full day of volunteering is about to begin. We have brought along the usual bag of yogurt, oranges and bananas for the toddler snack.

Ten minutes after our arrival the nursery is no longer quiet. Toddlers are released into the hallway and babies are lifted from cribs and given good-morning hugs. Thanks to Mary Walker’s expertise we have been attempting some infant massage therapy with the babies in the room three. Each was also treated to a manicure and a pedicure today.

Dr. Dahlia was kind enough to give us a tour of the hospital pharmacy and laboratory. The hospital does own a defibulizer, and EKG machine, a small autoclave and a small autoclave and a small pulmonary function machine but is very short of medications, IV bags and additional hematology equipment. Dr. Dahlea also shared with us some of her financial concerns for the hospital and took time to talk about the special needs of some of our babies at the failure to thrive nursery.

Our day concluded with another fabulous dinner with of course dessert. It’s hard to tell if our jeans are becoming tighter due to the delicious food we have been serviced, or if it’s the money belt with the 2 million lei you just put in it.

Thought for the day: Friends are friends forever if the Lord is Lord of them.

~Pat, Infant Care Center, Children’s-Mpls

Romania, a country so far away, so remote from the Minnesota Lakes, prairies and oak Savannah’s, so mystical and unknown only seven short days ago. As we meet at the morning table, all eleven Minnesotan’s and our Romanian ambassadors, Miheila and Andra, we are reminded of safety and all offered a warning of late night walks and confusing “comfort with one’s surroundings” and oblivion. It is decided that all Internet café forays after dark should be in a group of three or more.

The day is beautiful! The hospital grounds are busy with preparations for Mondays visit from the Government. Trim is being painted white, the toddler pre-school was completely emptied and wasted down, shrubs were trimmed and signs of sprucing up were everywhere. After 1 week, the team is one a roll and ready to act upon arrival. But this comes only after our visit to the placement center. There we were warmly welcomed by the director, and had a chance to ask about the program, the children and the plans to move into the new digs, right next door. The rooms were bright, the bedroom large and desks, were available for all the children. We even got to the meet Betty and Lisa, the gerbils in the HIV unit!

Back at the hospital, babies were out on the blankets, like spring flowers after an April shower! Lucci was in fine form and the toddlers were everywhere. Lots to see with wagons and horses in the yard, dogs sniffing around, and stroll steaming up and down the path. Bottles were guzzled, (no broken ones today - yeah team!!!), the last of the pampers were used and we said good-bye at noon to return to Barlad to prepare for our weekend. Lucie rode the bus with us to the corner, where he and Mihaela bid a huggy goodbye. Gelina stepped into a store to get candy to soften the loss of his “Mama” for one more day.

Then another goodbye, as Andra took her leave in Barlad. She left her mark on us all, an amazing young woman who at 21 had more depth, drive, maturity and concern for others than most find in a lifetime. She will be missed.

A flurry of activity, runs to the film store, the money exchange, the bakery, and an exchange of almost 2 inches of money took us to the next step a separation of the team.

Dora to find her heritage in Husi

Susie and Jenny to Iasi to visit Codaesi, a placement center and the painted monasteries with Andra

Mary, Patie, Pat, Natalie, Nancy, Connie, Maureen and Sandy to Transylvania with Mihaela.

Five hours later, we were in the hotel and heading to the plaza in Brasou, and absolutely stunning city, resplendent in old, European architecture. An unbelievable dinner, with eyes watering from laughter, stories of the missing bedroom door, Don’s toothbrush stand, some wine, some beer, good company and good stories.

How lucky are we to be here, to try and make a small difference to learn of the complications of political reform and to see each other in new light?

And to know first hand just a little bit, about “those babies”, the children, the workers, the system and how complicated is all is. And to know in our hearts that these eleven people on this trip, Mihaela with her 15 hours days, Andra with her school work, the staff at the hospital and those who give of themselves each day at the placement center, do make some difference.

~Sandy, Volunteer Services, Children’s-Minneapolis

Saturday, March 23, 2002

Our weekend adventure continues as we shop in the rain for souvenirs and spent the rest of our money at the department store for Tutova Pampers and wipes. We are sorry to leave the beautifully picturesque town of Barsov but anticipating what’s ahead.

Bran’s castle is our next stop. What an awesome place and how amazing it feels to walk on the same steps people did so many years ago. It is a wonderful tour made even better by a sweet tour guide who has a wonderful sense of humor is very patient with us all. As today is her birthday, we sing a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday before we leave and we have a group picture taken with her. Natalie’s Dracula teeth provide the perfect parting for the castle.

A snowy mountain ride brings us to Sinei our wonderful hotel with real toilet paper and luxury bathrooms! Another fine dinner follows with more fellowship, humor, wine, desert and stories to share.

It has been a relaxing weekend with time to absorb more of the Romanian culture we have been so eager to experience. It has also been a time to know and celebrate our teammates as we travel this adventure together. Our track turns frequently to “our” babies and toddlers. We now know them as separate little people with their own identities and are anxious to swap stories about them. It’s apparent everyone is looking forward to Monday.

As always, Mihaela is with us. She pretends she is just along for the weekend, but is graciously taking care of us. If she weren’t here, we’d still be ordering breakfast as I write this at 10pm.

Looking back on our first week, I am struck by our similarities. Romania, a scene of recent political upheaval, faring an uncertain future. America, a scene of recent terrorist attacks, uncertainty from misfortune. Underlying all, lies a common wish to provide our children a safe, secure and loving environment with a promise of a bright and hopeful future. My hope is that this volunteer trip will contribute to that wish.

~Nancy, Children’s-West

We leave our beautiful hotel rooms with a magnificent mountain-view. It’s hard to believe this weekend is almost over. We’ve grown to know each other even more and I realize how fortunate I am to be with such kind, sensitive, caning, women. Our breakfast is a sumptuous buffet of fried eggs decorated with whole peppercorns, delicious rolls, fruit, fish, sausages; it goes on and on.

Next it’s on to Peles Castle - built from 1883-1914 by King Carol the first, as a summer residence. We are all in awe of its grand beauty, even though flowers are not in bloom, we can only imagine. Natalie plans a perfect wedding ceremony outside complete with string quartet and then we go inside- for a tour-but first we must wear slippers of a sort over our shoes. (We later talk of making these for the clinic. The castle goes on and on with most intricate wood carvings, wood in-lay pictures that look as if they’ve been hand painted, colored flowered glass chandeliers and luminous mirrors that were imported with layers of silver behind to keep them distortion free. It houses an elevator, theater room, and the King’s private confessional. As we leave the grounds that not only house the King’s Castle, but the Queen’s Castle and several other homes to accommodate visiting guests. We stop at the shop shop shop for a few new souvenirs.

Next, on to the cable car. But first, to exchange money and use the ATM (which didn’t work for us in Senia). We meet for the cable car ride we find it is closed because of the winds-to the dismay of some and delight of others. We try for the morning monastery (Patty stays back with Mihaela) and find there is a Church Service going on. We observe the service and find there are no pews- the congregation kneels on the floor- the priest wears a red and gold robe. The church has several built in chairs in the entrance section and we are bot the only ones watching. We then tour the grounds a little and Sandy discovers the tomb of Take Tonescu, a German who fights for Romania.

Several quotes from speeches are written, and I thought the following would not only apply to Romanians today, but also for all individuals.

“There is no upright man who has become upright without having suffered in his life. There is no great soul who has become great without experiencing distress. No existence is more tedious than of those who never had to get over any difficulty, who never had to make any sacrifice.” - May 1915, Plor’esti.

We leave the Monastery and have lunch at a cafeteria of sorts-main courses in one room, desserts in another and yet another for ice cream. As always, dessert is a hit, and a thousand calories go down as if light as air.

The bus ride home starts out exactly on schedule, but a couple hours along the winds pick up and the rain gets worse and the bus develops a problem with the engine. It’s cold - we wear our hats and jackets and mittens. We stop several times for oil, gas, and even for our driver, Vascili, to fix the windshield wipers in the blowing cold rain. We are all so concerned for him, offering P.B. sandwiches with crackers, almonds and water. We are thankful for his patience, safe driving, and perseverance. He even gets out in this terrible weather and somehow plugs up the fumes that have been getting into the bus.

We arrive home six and a half hours later (a five hour trip). Tired, grateful to be here, a little hungry. Dora greets us with big hugs all around. We learn of her weekend looking for traces of her family and high hopes for future connection. We talked of Jenny and Susie and our curious other days with children and touring. A quick bite of dinner, and now… very much looking forward to tomorrow when we will again cuddle, kiss, change diapers, hold and feed the children whose smile, giggles, and coos have captured out hearts from the moment we set eyes on them.

~Maurine, Volunteer, Children’s-Minneapolis

Returning to Tutova today, we were excited to get back to our purpose there and to our beautiful babies.

It was also a very important day for the hospital. Dr. Delia spent her morning with a director from the Ministry of Health, along with six additional personnel who arrived for a routine inspection. Decisions to fund, or not to fund, hospitals like this one are made in large part based on their inspections. Much time and effort by the staff was put into the cleaning of the building, inside and out, as well as the grounds. Everything was ship-shape when we arrived and even the babies seemed especially happy and content. Pat was our volunteer ambassador to the visiting director and said just the right things. So looks very promising and we should know their decision tomorrow.

Our group seems very comfortable with their role at the hospital as today marks the beginning of our second week. The day went smoothly although we missed Sandy and Natalie who spent their day at Number Five Middle School, helping the students with the English. Their experience was most rewarding and it appears they have acquired a new fan club, so appreciative were three of the students that they escorted our leaders back to the hotel. Natalie perhaps they have older brothers??

Before dinner, Mihaela took us to the Children’s Hospital here in Barlad, where we were given a tour by the doctor in charge, a good friend of Dr. Dehlia’s. Her tour was most informative and she graciously answered all our questions. It is a busy facility with approximately 160 children currently being cared for. So it was nice to see the mothers able to stay with their children even though they cannot afford to pay. With one nurse covering four rooms of children, the mothers can also be of significant help.

Once again, everyone we come in contact with has been so kind to us and we have been made to feel very welcome here, which brings me to my simple thought for the day, a reminder from Lucci and Dumi: “It’s a small world after all.” What really is life without children?

~Mary, Volunteer, Children’s-Minneapolis

It is a cold windy day that changes from wind to snow in the early morning. We shouldn’t any of us complain about the cold weather as we are all from Minnesota, but last week’s beautiful Romanian spring teaser, spoiled us. At breakfast Susie announced that in a typical two-week mission trip the second Tuesday is considered hump day. And after Monday night's talk about reaching our goals, we decide that we need to get busy and do what we came here to do. First, we all whined, especially me, about what we missed from home, like hot toast, hot tea, and cold milk.

We are greeted at the clinic by smiling faces and happy sounds. Maurine and I are determined to get our babies in room 9 to accomplish our revised goals. Paula and Gabi really could crawl if they tried harder. Georgianna should be able to sit for short periods. Ionut and Marion might just be lazy. Are we making any progress at all, we ask ourselves? They should like these new foods that we are introducing to them. Why do they still spit so much formula, when we hold them to eat and we work so hard for burps before half way through the bottle and again at the end? Do we make any difference at all? We seem to make them happy when we give them one on one attention, but haven’t we seen how much the staff seems to love and care for them? Is it good for the babies to become attached to us, only to have us leave in two weeks? These questions seem to be bothering us all. I surely can’t answer them in my mind.

We leave the clinic a little early, so that we can experience a little more Romanian culture. We travel to Husi to go to a “wine tasting.” It turns out to be more of an educational experience that we expected, as we learn how to appreciate the finer qualities of wine. The trip is yet another exciting adventure to add to our memories of Romania.

Message of the day from the Serenity prayer, “God gave me the courage to change the things that I can, the strength to accept the things that I can not, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

~Connie, Surgery, Children’s-West

Today we had the pleasure of meeting Mihaela’s assistant Ramona. In addition to attending law school she also works as a teen leader. Like Andra, she’s professional, personable, intelligent, and open to all my questions.

What a delightful surprise at breakfast- plain omelets. But a disappointment to find the kitchen is out of bananas for the toddlers. Good thing I saved one from yesterday.

Arriving at the clinic my toddlers are not there to greet me. Very disappointing!

I find them attended to and enjoying a video. This is a good opportunity to prepare an unscheduled snack. Off to the kitchen, with Ramona for support, to cut bananas and oranges.

I feel so loved and appreciated each day when I’m greeted with cheers and smiles and arms reaching in the air. These little Romanians have no idea what a wonderful experience they have given to me.

~Patty, Rehabilitation Services, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics

It’s hard to believe that just two weeks ago tonight, we packed our bags and went to sleep with the anticipation of the journey ahead of us. Here we are, on the other end of our adventure in service, packing our bags and going to sleep with the anticipation of going home with new experiences and impressions of another culture under our belts. Speaking of belts…our money pouches aren’t quite so fat after souvenirs, phone bills paid to the front desk of Hotel Moldova, free time excursions bakery runs and of course trips to the Fuji shop. We’ve spent thousands, here…(32,000 lei per dollar!)

Even harder to believe…just one year ago when we made plans for this trip, many of the babies who have touched our hearts over the past two weeks were not even born yet. We leave with a glimpse of life here on the other end of our latitude. The leadership and demonstrated hopefulness and aspiration of our team leader Mihaela and her assistants Andra and Ramona leaves us with the hope and aspiration for this country and for the future of the generation that has impacted us.

Our dinner was the first of three “closing celebrations” appropriate and familiar to Minnesotans, a long, multi-tiered, 36-hour goodbye should be the perfect bridge from retreat to return. Anticipating memories and recollections of this global leap from Children’s to Romania, a stretch in more ways than one, I’ll close with a thought for our final day of volunteering in Romania.

Noroc! (Cheers!) To broadened perspective.

~Natalie, Volunteer Services, Children’s-Minneapolis

The morning began with good news, at least for the children and me. The weather is getting warmer… Maybe somewhere in Bucharest, because in Barlad and Tutova it is raining. This is the last day of work in Tutova. The last day of what, I hope, has been a good experience for everybody. I know that for the children, it meant so much to have someone to love each one of them.

The aids and nurses expressed their gratitude during the final celebration. I hope that their appreciation is a relief for you if you still think that you’ve been in their way or something. No, you are not disruptive! They might work more when teams are on site, but that’s how things should be all the time. (I’m not criticizing.) Once again, the philosophy of Global Volunteers proves to be right -- volunteers are catalysts for the local community. In our case, for the staff working at Tutova Hospital.

However, your concern that you might be disruptive shows how much you want to be of real help for both children and the staff. We cannot leave the hospital without Lucci who needs a one-minute ride in the van. As usual, he doesn’t cry when I get back to the van, but he looks so surprised. He doesn’t understand what is happening, where do I disappear every day after 4:00 P.M? He knows I go home because he has been told so, but does he know what “home” means? Speaking about that, what is home for all of us? Is it a building that can be bigger or smaller, or is it the place where we feel loved and safe? If that’s true, than Lucci, as well as the other children, has a home -- and maybe more than one.

Soon real spring will come and the children will get out enjoying the nice weather and the grass, trees, flowers, the fresh air… for most of them this is still novelty! Dumi, Andrea, David will get wild outside, making volunteers to chase them, Lucci will, hopefully, go to Gelina’s, Lavina and Gabi will get more confident in themselves, Vascilica (Vasae), Claudiu and Cristi will explore around, smelling or eating the flowers and the youngest children will crawl on the green grass. They will fall asleep in other arms, but what matters is that they are loving arms.

~Mihaela Vrinceanu, Your Romanian Team Leader!