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'Children of Romania (Congleton)' |
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 Douglas Parker playing with the children |
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In February 2004, when Douglas Parker was Mayor of the Borough of Congleton, he was invited by Warrington Business Link to take part in a civic visit to Hungary. The civic party visited local businesses and opened a Great Britain exhibition. On the last evening, after evaluating the visit, the delegates began to discuss some of their ambitions in life, which had not yet been achieved. Douglas said that he would like to drive a lorry-load of goods to a children’s orphanage in Romania. The interpreter for the visit was Dr. Agnes Madarassy who then informed the delegates that she was the chairperson of a Franciscan Foundation, which cares for destitute children in Romania. In the meantime, whilst Douglas and Agnes were discussing the work of the Foundation, Douglas’s wife Hilary was at home in Congleton when the telephone rang. An old friend of Douglas’s, Charles Faulkner, phoned to say that he was closing his factory which manufactured children’s clothes and had a lot of surplus clothing which he wanted to go to Romania – could Douglas get it there for him? |
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On returning home from his civic visit, Douglas received the message from Charles and within a month had borrowed a minibus and taken the clothing to the children’s home at Déva in Transylvania. After delivering his load, Douglas was shown round the home by Agnes and introduced to Brother Csaba who had founded the organisation. | |
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Brother Csaba then took Douglas into the town and showed him the ‘phantom blocks’ where 10 - 12 people live in one room without water, gas or electricity. These buildings have a floating population of occupants who appear from nowhere one day and may be gone the next; hence 'phantom'. Douglas was so moved by the appalling conditions in which people are living and impressed by the work of the Foundation, that he decided to set up a charity to support Brother Csaba and his followers. And so ‘Children of Romania (Congleton)’ began. |
with 'phantom' child at the window |
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Since the start of the charity in March 2004, Douglas has made several trips to Romania, taking goods and money for the children. Whilst on a visit to the homes in December 2004, he was taken to a village named Torockó where the Foundation had recently purchased an old house in very poor condition, and which was home to 13 children. There was no bathroom in the house – the only toilet was in an old stable block across a very rough yard – and no running water. (Water for the house was obtained from a well in the yard). The only cooking facility was a flat steel plate above a single gas ring. There was a table and some chairs, but only enough room for 8 children to sit round, whilst the remaining 5 children ate standing up. Douglas asked if the money he had taken could be used to make improvements in the home. Agnes, who was his guide for the visit, said the money from Congleton would be sufficient to build a new bathroom and kitchen. |
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 village of Torockó |
 Congleton House, Torockó |
 Brother Csaba |
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On his return to Romania the following spring, Douglas was delighted to see the work that had been done. The old stable block had been completely rebuilt and contained a dining room (with a long table and benches made by the older boys), a new kitchen, showers, toilets and two dormitories above. There are now approximately 30 children living there and work is under way to renovate the old part of the house. Agnes suggested that the house should be called ‘Congleton House’. The charity, ‘Children of Romania (Congleton)’, now works to maintain this home. For background information on the village of Torocko, which is known in Romanian as Rimetea, see http://www.rounite.com/2009/04/24/rimetea/ |
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In September 2005, Brother Csaba opened five after-school clubs where children can study under the supervision of a qualified teacher. These children may have families of their own but live in very poor conditions, with no facilities for doing homework, e.g. no proper lighting, no tables or no space. There are also play facilities for younger children and all are given a hot meal, warm clothing and the opportunity to discuss their problems. | |
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There are now 30 after school clubs catering for over 500 children, giving them a chance to develop their potential and increase their prospects of employment. We aim to support these clubs also, with both money and equipment. Since 2005 we have held many fundraising events, which have been well supported by the people of Congleton and surrounding areas. Our expenses are kept to the absolute minimum, so that a very high percentage of the money we raise is presented directly to Brother Csaba or to Dr. Agnes Madarassy, the chairperson of the Foundation. We know the money is used wisely, enhancing the lives of many children who come from appalling conditions. Hilary Parker |
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