january 2021 newsletter
2020 christmas shoebox appeal - the trip
A team of 4 volunteers and two vehicles have now returned from the trip across Europe to Romania and Moldova, having left just after Christmas. The trip took them across the waters to Holland, before the drive through to Romania, making shoebox and food parcel drop offs to the villages of Tilegd, Miercurea-Nirajului, Marculeni, Sercaita and Sinca. To ensure entry and customs clearance in Moldova prior to the new year, the lorry went ahead of the van for one day. They would join up again, ready for Moldovan deliveries to commence on the 1st January. Thanks goes to Slavic and Vova for ensuring a smooth entry into Moldova for the team.
During their time in Moldova they were joined by Romeo and also Iulia, who has joined TEECH on every trip since 2015 to not only help with deliveries but work her magic with translation. Visits to the villages of Berlinti, Hasnasenii Noi, Moldoveanca, Chetrosu, Baccealia and a childrens centre in Anenii Noi were made. At each village shoebox gifts were handed out to the children, either outside or with the team all wearing masks and gloves. It was unseasonably warm during the two weeks, without a flake of snow in sight. In Moldova the team also took time to visit the elderly, delivering food parcels, again with precaution due to the pandemic.
On return to England, Romania is now experiencing some snow and this can be seen in a few photos which were taken by the school teachers with which some boxes were left, to hand to the children on their return to school after the Christmas break.
TEECH would like to thank the volunteers for making the journey, plus all those who donated shoeboxes and food parcels to make the trip a huge success even in difficult times, with more rules and restrictions imposed on plans and execution.
Thank you once again to:
To view photos from the trip then please click here to take you to another page within the website.
During 2021 TEECH will see what is possible, taking into account the ongoing pandemic and the mystery of Brexit!
During their time in Moldova they were joined by Romeo and also Iulia, who has joined TEECH on every trip since 2015 to not only help with deliveries but work her magic with translation. Visits to the villages of Berlinti, Hasnasenii Noi, Moldoveanca, Chetrosu, Baccealia and a childrens centre in Anenii Noi were made. At each village shoebox gifts were handed out to the children, either outside or with the team all wearing masks and gloves. It was unseasonably warm during the two weeks, without a flake of snow in sight. In Moldova the team also took time to visit the elderly, delivering food parcels, again with precaution due to the pandemic.
On return to England, Romania is now experiencing some snow and this can be seen in a few photos which were taken by the school teachers with which some boxes were left, to hand to the children on their return to school after the Christmas break.
TEECH would like to thank the volunteers for making the journey, plus all those who donated shoeboxes and food parcels to make the trip a huge success even in difficult times, with more rules and restrictions imposed on plans and execution.
Thank you once again to:
- Rotary Club of Ipswich
- Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower
- Mandy Bainbridge and friends in Ipswich
- Many, many individuals – you know who you are
- Nicholas Church, Beverley
- Old Bucklesham School, Suffolk
- The team from Hale Newsagents & Woodfalls Post Office
- Jay and Pratap and the Sathya Sai Organisation - Region 2 UK
- ChristChurch, Clacton
- Pauls Road Primary, Plymouth
- SLP Autos, Chelmsford for 'winter preping' the van for the trip
To view photos from the trip then please click here to take you to another page within the website.
During 2021 TEECH will see what is possible, taking into account the ongoing pandemic and the mystery of Brexit!
donations reminder
Throughout 2020 TEECH received clothing donations, with sorting and boxing occurring in gardens and garages and it looks like this will continue for a few more months in 2021. Of the clothing received, a lot is ladies, with mens, boys and girls all considerably less, therefore please consider donating clothing for children, ready for the summer. If you have clothing to donate, then get in touch and we can work out a way to pass it through to us in Essex.
Please note: TEECH are no longer able to accept large or bulky medical aids. The charity will still take foldable wheelchairs, walking sticks, crutches but not walking frames, zimmer frames, commodes because they are too bulky to store and transport. If you are offered anything, then please ensure it is foldable/easily transportable and in good condition.
Now the UK has left the EU, the charity can no longer take used shoes, as these can not be imported into Moldova and delivering aid on route to Romania would require customs clearance which is not possible.
Please note: TEECH are no longer able to accept large or bulky medical aids. The charity will still take foldable wheelchairs, walking sticks, crutches but not walking frames, zimmer frames, commodes because they are too bulky to store and transport. If you are offered anything, then please ensure it is foldable/easily transportable and in good condition.
Now the UK has left the EU, the charity can no longer take used shoes, as these can not be imported into Moldova and delivering aid on route to Romania would require customs clearance which is not possible.
a reminder to use 'smile' when shopping on amazon
TEECH are set up on Amazon Smile – its Amazon as you know if but allows a donation of 0.5% of each purchase to charity. If you do use Amazon and would like to help raise a few pounds, then follow the link below to read more about it and link your normal account to the charity and continue shopping as you always have done.
When linking to TEECH, search for Telecommunications Eastern European Challenge if the link below does not work, or 1074765-0.
Thank you in advance.
When linking to TEECH, search for Telecommunications Eastern European Challenge if the link below does not work, or 1074765-0.
Thank you in advance.