Team Journal


Diapers hanging to dry outside the hospital

    Today, Tuesday 7/16 was our first day of work. At 8:15, the hospital volunteers boarded the van for the short ride to Tutova. There, volunteers met the children and started the day’s tasks to get acquainted, feed and play with the children. We lifted, cradled, chased and cuddled kids all day long. Taking the children out was pleasant, but only a few managed to "swim." Each child was beautiful and a challenge. Words used to describe the day: exhausting, fun, overwhelming....    
    The teachers left at 8:45 to meet their classes, which ranged from 4 to 14 students. The report is that Andrei met his goal of assuring 5 verbs would be known and conjugated! The English level of almost all the students was exceptional, and the teachers were abuzz with ideas about how to enliven and keep up with the kids.                    
    Mihaela took us out to a lovely dinner, which we capped with a rendition of "Happy Birthday" sung for Ed (happy 30). Linda met with the travel agent, and after considerable discussion, we decided to go to the Painted Monasteries with a possible arrangement for some to go to Trannsylvania. Busy days, lots of challenges, and fun!

Wednesday, July 17, 2002
    We all started off to our respective workplaces, some with a little apprehension (after a wild day at the hospital), but everyone with a lot of enthusiasm.
    The teachers had a better idea of what the students could understand, so the lessons were all very engaging. Carol organized a mini-society, complete with lawyers, bankers and regular working people, and she showed the children the value of money, savings and expenses. It proved to be a real eye-opener for the kids when they were left with hardly any money from a big salary!
    Donna and Bruce took the kids on a tour of the neighborhood. The children were eager to explain the rituals that took place at the local church during service. They also visited an apartment building.
    The younger students were also much more lively today. After a lively discussion about Britney Spears (prompted by a magazine article), we (Roxanna’s class) went out to the market to find ingredients for a three course meal: a salad, main course (ghiveci), and fruit cocktail. We also decorated the "table" with a few flowers.
    The high schoolers were content to just lay back and talk about their preferred topics.
    After lunch, Donna, Bruce and I went to help out at the hospital. It seemed like the day had been a little more relaxed than yesterday’s. The weather helped, of course. The toddlers were having fun in the wading pool and catching a little suntan in the meantime.    
    The playroom was also full of infants, some playing and some just content to be around a loving person. Of course, some were making more noise than others. Robert was, by far, the most vociferous. All he wanted was to be held or driven around in the carriage.
    All the volunteers could notice how much of a difference it made from one day to another (since the children were getting one-on-one attention and were able to get out of their cribs). Even though the staff is very loving and attentive with the children, it is impossible to give the amount of affection and stimulation needed for each child.

"If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not love in vain.
If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin into his nest,
I shall not live in vain."
-Emily Dickinson

Thursday, July 18, 2002
    We woke to air that was a bit cooler outside (with a hint of rain) and went off to the hospital and school. The school children kept us busy with a very full day of planned lessons and unexpected delights at the museum. Barlad’s art exhibits (and pride in them) were very special, but the most exciting thing was the way the children were so eager to make sure they showed us everything and told us what it meant to them. The high school age students hiked to another high school out on the hills and watched military maneuvers of a nearby installation.
    At the hospital, the workers reported that the babies were precious as usual. Some said they noticed more interaction between individual babies and less of the self-stimulating movements such as the hand waving of our newest crawler. The babies adored the yogurt and couldn’t get enough. The hospital workers arrived at the school--slightly damp after being caught in the rain- to join the rest in watching a dance exhibition. The younger students were cute and proficient; the older students had great rhythm and gymnastic moves.
    A short rest and off to supper at the Malvina Restaurant where we were served kabobs and yummy desserts. The dance teacher and the principal joined us at dinner, and the principal answered questions regarding future plans for the school. Even though our rooms were still warm, the night air turned cool and clear.

"Judge the day not by the harvest you have reaped, but by the seeds you have sown."

Friday, July 19, 2002
    A short work day for the hospital staff. Vasilica’s mother and Alexandra’s mother visited. Alexandra is the "thyroid" baby whose mother is visiting often, but could not deal with feeding Alexandra properly. It seemed that the GV workers welcomed the short day.
    At school, Ed and Andrei took their combined students to the wonderful museum and then to "Spider Man" (in English with Romanian sub-titles). We passed Roxanna’s class while they snacked at the Arcadia. Carol did a field trip to the post office and children’s library. Donna and Bruce’s class worked on homonyms and idioms and did a banking field trip.
    We left for our weekend trip and waved goodbye to Ed, who has been called to Bucharest on business. We rode to Roman through heavy rains, but our bathroom stop was dry overhead. We revitalized Roman’s economy, but Carol’s pear (ceramic, of course) caused a slight delay o the way to Suceava. The driver stopped to lend assistance to an injured man, but when we found out he was injured by his brother, we left.
    At Suceava we were lucky that the driver stopped the rain and got us a good rate at the fortress. Beautiful ruins and informative description (in English).
    Eleven of us went to a close-by Italian restaurant and enjoyed each other and a fine meal. Upon returning to the hotel, Donna and Bruce decided to walk/drink with Lorian, the tour guide. While we were waiting as Lorian asked directions on the street, a small dog was struck, dragged to its feet, flipped over and apparently died. Somehow, 5 minutes later we had the dog resurrection as the dog whimpered, shook itself and got up and limped away. We went to a bar and solved most of the world’s economic and political problems.
    
        "We must wage peace, not one nation at a time, but one person at a time."

Saturday, July 20, 2002
    Our hotel had an unusual ambiance. We were awakened by an active rooster and had breakfast to interior rain. We spent a relaxing morning viewing pastoral countryside. The fields of corn, sunflowers and enclosed vegetable gardens looked lush and fresh after the rain. We passed down rows of trees with their trunks of white and we found the pastel painted houses a visual delight.
    We stopped to see the statue of Bedgrehn I, who was the father of Stephen the Great, and enjoyed our stop at the Black Pottery shop. The visit to the magnificent Sucevita Monastery will remain the highlight of the trip. The Voronet Monastery, known for its blue color, was also impressive. We enjoyed looking at and hearing about the painted panels.
    We were fed 6 delicious Romanian courses at Albu House and were given a painted egg demonstration.
    Driving through the gentle hills of Bucovina was not without excitement. We saw storks nesting in utility poles, detoured through a flood area, witnesses a funeral procession and passed a truck accident.
    Our guide and driver got us safely to our lovely air-conditioned hotel. We decided to do individual activities for the evening. It was a very good day.

Sunday, July 21, 2002
    The group awoke in Hotel Traian in the city of Iasi. Breakfast was at the hotel, and then some of us took the opportunity to explore the city a little before meeting back at the hotel at 9:30. From there our guide, Lorian, led us on an informative walk all around the city.
    We saw an intricately carved Catholic church, Orthodox churches, and many historical statues and sites. We ended up at the impressive building that housed the cultural center, where we split up. The group visited the museums of Art, History, Ethnography, and Polytechnics. Seeing these artifacts really helped give us a sense of Romania’s rich and diverse cultural background. Thankfully, the van picked us up from there and we had lunch on a beautiful lake in a Romanian restaurant. After a couple of hours lunch became dinner, and we called the hotel to tell them we wouldn’t make it to dinner there. Julian, the driver, made excellent time, however, swerving around pedestrians, accidents and dogs through pounding rain. Because of the rain we decided not to stop at the University, and instead, Lorian gave us another of his informative history talks on what we could not see. The cooling rain continued and made the road more precarious as we edged by deep trenches and saw flood waters claim several gardens, fields and most of the street. We arrived back "home" in Barlad in time for some to eat dinner in the hotel. Most went to bed early, tired from the walking, to get rested up for the next day back with our babies and students. Though the weekend was fun, we definitely missed them.

Monday, July 22, 2002
    Today we got to sleep in--breakfast not until 8am. We were all anxious to see "our" babies and students after a weekend away from them. The day at the hospital went well. Some of the babies were eager to see us again, and others took some time to readjust to us. The weather was much cooler and more forgiving on all; we didn’t feel like "wet noodles" by lunch. Some of us even had enough energy to go for a walk along the road for exercise after lunch. Progress by several children was seen today. Some crawled for the first time, and Paula became hard to keep track of as she explored the hall and rooms with her walker. "Big Gabi" also showed improvement in his interactions with Linda. At the end of the day, as we waited to board the van back to Barlad, 2 teenage girls stopped to eagerly visit with us in English.
    At school, Carol and her class ran post office errands for some of the volunteers--what turned out to be quite a formidable task was made much easier by their eager assistance. Donna and Bruce went to the train station with their class and visited the homes of several students. They also learned body parts in English with "Pin the tail on the body part."
    After the evening dinner, two of Mihaela’s friends (a business man and a "tax man") stopped by for many, many questions from the group--very informative.

Tuesday, July 23, 2002
    Today started as usual, but the air outside was more like fall than summer. Those of us that went to the hospital had a normal day, however, those of us that worked in the non-mobile room had our hands full with the 2 new crawlers! The babies were more into the routine today--they were so happy to greet us, and much more playful than yesterday.
    Reade and Evin went to the school in the morning to teach country line dancing to the students. The students loved it!! Although the babies missed them at the hospital in the morning, they were overjoyed when the teaching volunteers came to see them in the afternoon.
    After lunch, Dr. Joan’s expertise was called in to help a 3-year-old who had gotten into a liquor cabinet, and was in very bad shape.
    Our young friends from the village of Tutova came to the hospital in the afternoon, ready to speak with us.
    Although our day was as tiring as every other, we were refreshed to remember that we had the evening to ourselves!

    Day twelve began with cornflakes and a bag of new shoes for the toddlers. Upon arrival, the hospital workers were greeted with squeals and hugs from the toddlers, and outstretched arms from the babies in their cribs. As everyday, the children had already been bathed and clothed and were ready to begin their time with us.
    During the course of the day, the children were fed, hugged, changed, rocked, burped, swung, walked, read to, strolled, kissed, groomed and "skinny dipped."
    During lunch, Ramona shared her background in law, accomplishments as a poet, and some of the challenges faced living in Romania.
    Meanwhile, the school teachers put together a field trip to the zoo at 7 cents a head. Another group walked to the Internet cafe and visited English-only websites. The school declared that the teachers’ donation of a CD/tape player was "like gold" to the staff and students.
    After our work day, some of us visited an art exhibit of local students. More than one volunteer expressed an interest in purchasing their work--there is some real talent here. Others took advantage of a much-needed massage.
    In the evening, all of us enjoyed a lesson in Romanian history from the school’s history teacher. It was, as everything is in Romania, educational and enlightening.

Friday, July 26, 2002
    
    Our last day of work began with only a quote for the journal due to Kelly’s unfortunate illness the day before. After a long breakfast, the hospital volunteers left to visit the placement center and the teachers went off to school. everyone was impressed with the quality and size of the apartments at the center. We found sleepy boys and girls lethargically trying to neaten up themselves and their rooms while we looked around. It was already bottle-time for our babies when we left the center. We marched through the rain to the hospital for the last time to find happy, fed babies and the toddlers running with outstretched arms. The short morning passed as usual and we put the babies in bed with heavy hearts and tears in our eyes.
    We had a small celebration with the staff and doctor, then said our good-byes and thank-yous. After a silent ride back to the hotel, we had a quick lunch.
    At the school, the teachers talked, played games, and sang songs inside. They had their own celebration with a liquor surprise in the chocolate cake. The kids sang a Moldova song, then the volunteers sang, "God Bless America." Even the male teacher got emotional when it came time to leave.
    After lunch we waved off the three-weekers for their weekend trip to Transylvania. Dinner was weird without the three-weekers, but we had a nice, long talk before turning in for the night. We had an unforgettable two weeks and we were sad to leave our new friends.

Sunday, July 28, 2002

    Neither broken wipers, nor landslides, nor speeding ticket, nor dark of night would keep our group from their weekend in Sinaia. Following a series of frustrating, yet somewhat comical events, we arrived at the Hotel Sinaia at 11pm, a mere eight hours after leaving Barlad.
    After a well-deserved rest, we awoke to find that an early morning rain had left a mist over the village. Before heading out to explore the garden area, we said farewell to Roxanna and Andre. Roxanna, of course, made sure our travel arrangements back to Barlad were confirmed before she and Andre left for Bucharest. We realized we would be alone in Romania for the first time without a reliable translator!
    Without a set itinerary, we were free to spend the day as we wished. Dr. Joan hired a car and set off the see the Black Cathedral and Braun Castle in Brassov. Patsy, Carol, Joan and I stopped at the monastery before touring Peles and Pelisor castles. The lingering mist added to the fairy tale quality of the castles. In addition to its splendor, Peles castle even had the modern day conveniences of a miniature lift and a central vacuum system. The beauty of the castles was made even more impressive by the fact that King Carol financed their construction with his own funds. Our day of sightseeing, shopping and relaxing ended with a dinner at an outdoor cafe. While some of us opted for an ordinary piece of chicken, the more adventurous diners enjoyed bear.
    The sunny, clear skies on Sunday were perfect to take the skytram up Mount Sinaia. The views from the summits more than made up for the queasy feeling as the tram dipped and swayed. The tranquil surroundings and unbelievable views made for a memorable morning.
    Watched over by the transportation gods, our trip back to Barlad was uneventful and completed in a record 4 hours.
    It is hard to believe that it was only two weeks ago that we first traveled along that road. In that short period we have gained a better appreciation of the Romanian way of life, formed new friendships, given of ourselves and received so much more in return.
    We returned to the Hotel Moldova, our home away from home, refreshed and ready to face the week ahead.

Monday, July 29, 2002

    Today was a day of adjustments as the three weekers adjusted to the absence of the two weekers, more than half of our team gone.
    At the hospital that meant that we all helped with all the children more than we had before when we focused on our assigned group of children. An approach of grab a toddler here, pick up a baby there, made it work, though on the way to lunch there were laughing comments like, "Is Friday a half day?" Afternoon brought terrific thunder showers which cut off the electricity for awhile. A challenging day.
    At school, our lone remaining teacher found her class markedly changed where her group of very sweet girls was joined by three boys, who were definitely acting like boys will act. She, too, prevailed in good spirits.
    After dinner, three of us had a night on the town, so to speak, attending a movie nearby, always a fun experience in a new country.
    A good day.

"This is the day which the Lord has given me.
I will rejoice and be glad in it."
And... "Waking up is the first blessing."

Tuesday, July 30, 2002

    Tuesday began as a beautiful, clear morning, though the toll of the trip may be beginning to show itself among the 3 weekers. We’re noticing that meals have become more sparse, not what they used to be. Not really "nit-picking," but we no longer were served fruit, hadn’t had omelettes lately, and, horror among horrors, no hot coffee! It may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back, but Carol had had enough. As our representative, she marched into the kitchen with the lukewarm pot of coffee and told them, "Hot, hot, hot!!" Her teaching skills extended even to the kitchen staff, and they now understood the English word "hot." The hot coffee was much appreciated as we began our second day of the last week of service.
    At the hospital, the day stretched out, with all of us playing/loving/holding our babies, Joan with her toddlers, trying to assist each other with baby transport and diaper changes throughout the day. Bravo to Elizabeth, who had all 10 or 11 of the non-mobile infants out of their cribs at once. Even if they didn’t get 1 on 1, it still seems important for them to move beyond the "crib walls." Meanwhile back at the school, our lone teacher, carol, had her hands full with 11 children, 5 of them boys. However, with the possibility of having to sit alternately between girls as Carol had suggested, they decided to stick together and the boys settled in a bit more.
    After work, we all rested, internetted, even had a few massages. Then a real treat- dinner at Mihaela’s home, with Mama’s cooking! It was excellent. Besides the treat of being in a local home (and it was a lovely home), the home atmosphere was a nice change after the hotel/restaurant meals of the last 2 1/2 weeks. Mama’s dessert, the fruit cocktail, put our American version to shame, surpassing all the desserts of this trip!
    We walked back to the hotel, misted by a light rain, bellies full. Amazing to think only 4 days left in Romania!

Wednesday, July 31, 2002

    Thirteen down and one and one half days to go-- but then who is really counting!
    What a surprise awaited us on arrival at the breakfast table-- Carol’s encounter with the kitchen really paid off-- there was juice/fresh fruits, omelettes, toast plus all the usual and two pots of "real, real, real" hot coffee. The old adage is certainly true, even here in Romania-- "The squeaky wheel gets the grease!"
    The hospital schedule was much more organized now after a couple of days running on a reduced staff. The non-mobile toddlers joined the very active mobile toddlers for a great session watching the VCR Mozart tape. A couple of the isolation infants moved out into the "big ward/play room" and tow of the isolation infants got an outing for a supplemental dose of Vitamin D.
    Lunch was delicious as per "Mama’s kitchen."
    The trio of pups enjoyed the leftovers with great relish.
    Our afternoon ended at three-- but between nap and our departure the toddlers had a prolonged session in the wading pool-- "la naturale."
    The Barlad museum was attended by Joan, Elizabeth and Dr. Joan, to our great delight.
    Carol continued with her dynamic school program-- adding an extra/additional student to her daily growing class.
    Dr. Joan had a delightful evening with Dr. A.-- her son who is at the University studying computers and her niece who is a 2nd year medical student. A delicious Romanian meal was had at the outdoor dining room of the Nightingale Restaurant. Dr. A. again noted the need of diapers, safety pins, and diaper rash ointments for the children’s program. She wishes to restore the hospital’s kitchen, which future groups might assist her efforts. Nutritional medical literature is also requested re: feeding the malnourished child and the need for trace elements in the growing/developing child’s diet.
    A good day as we ready ourselves for departure andour various travel plans.

" Our children are our lives--they inhabit the earth."
   - Literal translation from the Koran
Translated to our project-- it can mean that the children inhabit our past, which they carry forward, and they are the future-- thus the most important project of our life-- the rearing/nurturing of children.

Thursday, August 1, 2002

    Sugar Pops (courtesy of Patsy) and a beautiful day greeted us at the usual breakfast. Ramona treated us to a watermelon for dessert at lunch: Mama’s potato salad. We are winding down, both physically and emotionally. We have fortunately been free of any illnesses or mishaps this week (save Linda’s being locked in her room), but we still miss the two-weekers. Carol’s kids have brought siblings and friends, and learned to play Hearts.
    Patsy had one last massage-- a record fourth-- and we all had one last pizza at Alona’s, where Dr. D. and her children briefly joined us for good-byes. We approach our final day with many mixed feelings.

Friday, August 2, 2002

    There we are, on a beautiful Friday morning, our last day of the service. After a nice breakfast with, this time, "hot, hot, hot" coffee, we’re ready to go and do our jobs again. When you think of all the smiles waiting for us, you know we will have a wonderful day.
    As we get there, I can notice how those beautiful little hearts- God bless them - became so fond of you guys. Dr. Joan is welcomed by a whole group of toddlers that would grab their chair as soon as they see her, to watch TV, quiet and smiley, in her majestic presence. Patsy and Linda go for their three little charges. I think that they can actually feel them in the air and smell them, because we barely got there and Nicu started his "ta-ta-ta" welcome.
    Joan used a kind, gentle style to her Paula and Georgiana, who has something of the appearance of a princess. And Elizabeth runs the whole kingdom, successfully assisted by Laura. Apparently, they are the only ones able to keep peace in their kingdom, because every time a suspect (that is, me) goes there, Robert immediately starts to cry.
    When I saw my Gabi playing in the pool with the other toddlers, I all of a sudden realized what huge change you people bring in their lives. That each simple smile and each single hand brings them closer to being strong and loving human beings, as we try to be-- That each child has something from each of you.
    After coming back from the clinic, we met again in the evening for a lovely fairwell dinner. Tears in everybody’s eyes, flowers and smiles, life lessons taught, but not preached by Carol, naturally felt and lived by all of us. I love you all for bringing the best of your life experience and living it here for these children. You were my most wonderful birthday present.

                    If love is the Heaven you bring in someone’s life, day by day,
                                    then our babies surely live in Heaven.

With all our love and respect,
Laura and Ramona

    I had a dream one day--it was a life’s dream, now I’m glad that I can dream. I know why the sun is in the sky, why the grass is so green: because you are. I must sing like Louis Armstrong: "What a wonderful life." Everybody is so lovely, and I want you to take with you all the beautiful memories from Barlad and from Romania. In the end: God bless you!
The same,
Laura

Addendum

    After good-byes to Patsy (off to Amsterdam), Elizabeth (London), Linda (home) at the airport, and Carol at the airport hotel, the Joans were off to some luxury at the Athenee Palace Hilton, where we said our good-byes to dear Laura and Ramona. Massages were $30 here, and far less brutal. On Sunday morning we had a tour of the city in a newish-looking Hilton van. THE DOOR KEPT FALLING OFF!
    -Joan

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