Breaking bread...

Another interesting week has flown by. More work on the database and time spent in Brasov. It really is a wonderful place to find respite from the summer heat.

A personal note: Got another tattoo this week to reflect the time spent at the hospice. 'Pretuim fiecare clipa de viata' written around my wrist. A reminder to live well and live every moment. Now this is not to say to do everything regardless of whether you want to or not, more making sure that you are true to yourself, your own desires and needs. I started riding a push scooter to and from work much to the amusement of the locals. I ate rich and tasty Italian food from a local restaurant. I drank beer and read novels in the evening. It was just what I needed as I am still not feeling 100% and it is nice just to chill and take it easy.

Hospice Activity: Went and visited a gypsy family during a home care visit this week. A little baby recovering from a congenital heart disorder. She was such a sweetie!! I was warned that she was very shy, having only ever been with family, but while the nurse was speaking to her mother, I started making basic hand movements to her, psych 101, and she was soon copying me and smiling when she mimicked the movements accurately. Bravo! Simple enjoyment for she and I.

I was fascinated by the family's house and surroundings. In our society they would be seen to be exceptionally poor, living in little more than a shanty, but the basic family values give them a different type of wealth. They have each other and for that, they seem happy. I think having the hospice understand their unique needs is so important. Instead of forcing them into a situation where their daughter is hospitalized, they understand the want from the family to keep her at home for as long as they can while still providing quality medical care. (as well as donated clothes and toys!)

Wind down: Went to the salt mines near Brasov with the uk volunteers yesterday and marveled at the cathedral ceilings, the natural designs in the rock face of the cavern, the artwork and just being underground! Also visited the salt lake and mud baths where I opted to look after the bags in lieu of getting muddy. Sun bathing was divine. it was nice to soak up the rays and just relax.

Lessons learned: Early Sunday morning headed back to Bucharest to charge my phone and have lunch with a friend. At the station in Brasov, I encountered a small group of kids. Younger than my girls, dirty, skinny and obviously lacking base necessities and begging for any food or money. I contemplated just giving them one lei and sending them on their way but changed my mind quickly when I thought of strangers ignoring my children had they been in the same circumstance. So we had breakfast. Nothing fancy. Just fruit filled pastries and a bottle of water each but the smile and gratitude was enough to make it more than worthwhile (and for less than two australian dollars per head, how could i not?) The little girl out of the group came to me, smiled, patted her tummy and said, "full". If I do nothing else of value today, I will be happy to know that this small act made a difference to someone.


Dani /x

Little steps...

After my 30 day PULSE review last week, I have been reflecting on my achievements to date with the project -

• Small wins in terms of IT processes and overall objective progressing nicely
• Volunteered at all fundraising events to date - a lot of hard work from the team for big results
• English speaking guide for new Children's Hospice Site when UK volunteers came over to assist with clearing of pathways
• Assisted with the Bucharest Summer Holiday Club
• Ran a 4km race
• Jumped in a cat suit (sounds funny when it is like that, not a big pink and cream fluffy thing) for a photo opportunity

And this not including the other parts of my role, where participation wasn't so great, but in terms of information and understanding, I have learnt a great deal. ie. attendance at the 20th anniversary event.

I really feel very blessed, there has been some negative experiences - gastro, given a hard time over my pronunciation of Romanian words, being ripped off financially by taxi drivers, door people etc, however the good times have far outweighed the bad. I won't be in contact with everyone I meet here forever and ever, but I know, by listening to their stories, having them trust me to share these elements of their lives is worth more than gold. I know that I have made some life long friends as well.

My goals for the next few months:

• Obtain my VISA - urgent, urgent, urgent
• Attend and assist the Brasov Holiday Club and then Summer Camp
• Run a 10km race - If I can get 1000 pounds, I am determined to wear green Lycra (eww) and an Aussie flag as my cape. I'll start up the web site soon, so start donating!!
• Complete my IT project, finish the team's intranet
• Harass and hassle people for support - whether it be financial, volunteers, gifts for auction or hardware for IT (this has already begun!)
• Spend some quality time with the patients and with their permission, start writing their stories.

Time seems to be flying - it seems like I have been here forever, and for not long at all, it is very surreal. Soon I will be back home and I wonder how I will feel, will I have changed to people around me? Will they seemed to have changed to me?

Pondering...

Dani xxx

My last 24 hours...

Friday
7am - Struggle to get up after hitting snooze from 6am - Hilarious Girls Night with the UK Hospice ladies the night before. Wish I had remembered to take some photos!

8am - Picked up for work by Alex, our office manager, make him wait while I scoff down my marmite on toast and coffee - the breakfast of champions.

8.15am - Meetings at the Hospice

10am - 4pm Training on database, involvement and discussion with key members of the team.

4.15pm Don on the Bagpuss outfit for the Hospice (another one for my bucket list - be a team mascot!). Pose with Hospice volunteer and his Olympic relay torch

4.30pm - Scramble out of the Bagpuss suit to have a photo myself with the torch

5.38pm - Catch train from Otford to Luton airport

8.30pm - Overly zealous customs officials bin my vegemite and marmite. Weep as I watch and salute the jars as they are thrown away. I think this is the grounds for an international incident!

11.55pm - Board the red-eye flight back to Bucharest. Sit next to two very different guys, one an au pair, the other a construction worker. Amusing tales and one very sad one.

The construction worker, drinking copious amounts of white wine, launches into a story about his first born - arriving 24 weeks premature. He spoke of the treatment of his new born baby. She unfortunately didn't survive due to the lack of knowledge around her condition. He said that after four years he can speak openly, but the situation is so heart-breaking. I was so thankful to be a part of the Hospice - knowing their area of expertise is not maternity, however it is dealing with families who cope with loss and the grief that follows. And grateful to live in Australia where healthcare is so good and available to all that require it. 

During the flight, significant turbulence - everyone applauds on landing.

Saturday
5.15am Land in Bucharest, not as bad as it sounds - lose two hour on the flight over.

5.20am Rather cranky customs official goes over passport and length of stay (around 50 days before I MUST get a visa). Craving sleep.

5.30am Avoid taxi rank and the 3.50lei per km fees (Got caught on this on entry, Taxi from the airport should cost 20-30lei, not the 330lei charged when I first arrived! Decide on the bus and train transfer to Bucharest instead (haven't tried it but figure it will be OK)

5.48am waiting on the train, maybe I should have paid the exorbitant costs of a taxi

5.51am picked up by what looks like a cargo train. Hmmm, I may end up in the wilds of Romania!!

5.54am Fear coursed through me as I watched a man being bailed up by two train officials, hoping my ticket is acceptable. I have heard stories of foreigners paying massive fines for not understanding the complex ticketing system.

5.57am Phew - all OK, breathe massive sigh of relief

6.20am Hmmm, really not recognising my surroundings

6.44am Success! Dropped at Gara de Nord, run the gauntlet of taxis to the metro. One train till home!

6.56am Arrive home, kick of shoes, pour iced tea. As Tony from the medical team says - I am too old for this!!

7.55am Washing on, showered, nap time!

Crosul hospice incurajeaza alergatorii amatori sau incepatori si este dedicat bolnavilor incurabili pacienti Hospice Casa Sperantei

You are probably wondering what on Earth the title of my post is referring to. This was the blurb for Hospice Casa Sperantei's Fun Run/Marathon that took place last weekend it loosely means - Hospice of Hope amateur runners supporting terminally ill patients.

Last week I had the privilege of working at the Hospice in Brasov. Even though all the patients are suffering from terminal or life-limiting illness, the staff fill their hearts with such joy. I was amused to watch three wheel chair bound children playing a game of chasey around the garden. It took me a while to notice the wasted body, legs and feet of one child, I was so focused on the pure happiness that filled his face.

With that image in mind, I took on the four km fun run on the weekend. I am by no means a runner, so this was a huge challenge, but with such a fantastic cause how could I refuse? I am sore today, but so happy with the achievement.

Me with a REAL runner, Marius Istrate from GSK (printed with permission)

I am now working towards a ten kilometre run in August/September and aiming for sponsorship of around AUD$1,000 which would cover a nurse's salary for one month AND allow the care teams to make five personal visits to patients in their home during a month.

I will keep you updated on the details.

la revedere

Dani

Puppy!!

Buna dimineata de la Brasov!

Brasov's old town is over 1600 years old!! The streets are small, made for walking, not so much for cars, and many streets cobblestones. It is lovely. I really enjoy being immersed in the history of Europe. I keep pinching myself, in case I am dreaming.

IT Objectives

This week I am working with the incredibly talented IT team (team of one) on my IT project, I think our brainstorming has brought some key solutions to light and I am extremely excited by the possibility of not one solution - a database, but several long term solutions. Brilliant! (I know that my team would recognise the excitement of me jumping up and down with me having that aha! moment). I love it!

I am also working with the Brand team. Wow. This is something I am really enjoying and would love to work with in the future. It is creative, thoughtful and long term. It is a key way of getting a message out there to a wide audience. For an NGO with limited funding and resources, what they have achieved, and the awards they have won is incredible.

Fundraising

Earlier this week I attended my first quiz night. It was so much fun. People who know me, know that I have no idea of current events, news items etc, but there was something for everyone. We had around 200 people in groups of six teams, and it was very competitive, arguing over answers to questions, finger pointing at potential cheaters. Hilarious. Mind you, a slab of Heineken was up for grabs, so you can understand the intensity. The event is popular and successful and for a one time event, last year, it has become a regular, popular occurrence.

(P.S. If you want to go to a good English pub in Romania with great atmosphere, karaoke, go to Mojo! I think this is my new local - they even made me my favourite cocktail, a Fruit Tingle!)

Random Corner

And now to my post title - Puppy!! Since arriving at the Hospice in Brasov, I noticed that staff were feeding a very skinny, very scared puppy. It is probably twelve months old and the sweetest thing. It has obviously been beaten at some stage as it is very fearful and has had damage done to the upper part of his body (his fur). So yesterday, I started helping with pretzels, sausages and pork ribs being on the menu. As you can imagine, I now have a new best friend, he answers to my whistle and I am keen on naming him "Skippy" as a reminder of our most famous kangaroo and because he has a very skinny upper body and wider hips because of his fur. Let's see if it takes. Generosity at the Hospicee doesn't stop with patients, help from the Hospice is available for all (although the staff fund animal help!)

So for now, it is farewell, from Dani (and Skippy)

Canicula - or HEAT WAVE

Phew - it is soooo hot! Like crazy hot. The temperature conditions are very similar to Melbourne, very hot summers and very cold winters. I have to say, because of this, I have been very remiss in blogging or doing very much at all. I live on iced tea (yum) and homemade Limonada (Lemonade made with fresh lemons and honey) which most cafes and restaurants have.

It is funny as we don't complain about the heat much at home (well not as much as I am now) - we are in temperature controlled offices which rarely move the thermometer needle past 25 degrees, in any season. Here, working  for an NGO, comfort of staff is the last priority, for obvious reasons. The patient must always come first. The Hospice relies heavily on donations of furniture, computer equipment, mobile phones etc to keep operations running (Even things you don't think of like water and toilet paper!). We have two very small air conditioners which makes working conditions manageable, but nothing like home. How lucky we are!

I look forward to working with Richard, last years PULSE volunteer in Ethiopia as we seem to have a similar way of thinking - what can we do post-assignment to continue making a sustainable difference? Although Romania is beautiful, they still need support in terms of health care. Having experienced a minor illness while I was here, I was so grateful to have contacts at the Hospice in terms of assistance, (A huge shout out and thank you to Ruxandra Ciocarlan, one of the doctors, who came to see me and make sure I was OK during her personal time - it was very much appreciated) but not everyone here is so lucky. There is such limited resources and medication for those who are seriously ill. I am thankful to be a part of a supportive company that is helping the situation, but I know that more needs to be done.

I can't believe I have already been here a month,  have to say, I see the end looming and it is coming far too quickly for my liking! There is so much I want to do and help with, I only hope that I have time to do it all.

I also want to travel - everywhere is so close in Europe and reasonably cheap to fly to for a weekend getaway. If you have any tips on what I just can't miss while I am here, let me know!

Oh - just a quick update on my adventures of last weekend - Friday night - attended an American Embassy BBQ for the 4th July celebrations, Saturday was a walk around Herastrau Park and a trip to the mall where I watched Albă ca Zăpada şi omul vânătoare (no hints to what it was!) and then Sunday, a walk to the Peasants Museum. Did you know that peasants refers to villagers here? Not people who are necessarily poor, just people who live simply, not like the city dwellers. I loved the museum, it was so quaint! I actually imagined I was one of the Grimm Brothers strolling around the village. The reason? You could see where the stories came from - there are buildings made of straw, of sticks, of brick (you can see where this is going, right?) There are towering churches with high steeples - the artwork inside, intricate and disturbing. There was one mural of heaven and hell - heaven depicted as angels and light and hell depicted and a ravenous beast eating the entangled poor souls who dwell there. No wonder people embrace religion if this is their fear!

Any way I must sign off for now, I am sure that this blog is more garbled and incoherent than ones past - (send some coolness, Melbourne!)

Ciao!

Dani

Home - Sick

You know when you are feeling really, REALLY unwell, and all you want is your mum, your dad, your children? This is me, right, now.

I have had the most amazing couple of days. Last week I attended one of the fundraising events, the Olympic Dinner, hosted and attended by top Romanian athletes and Romanian business people. It was an incredible night, pulled together over ten days by the amazing Bucharest fundraising team. It is an eye-opener, what can be done with limited budget and time. I am so happy to say that it was a highly successful night and they managed to raise much needed funding for the new hospice.

Next, Brasov - where we had the 20th anniversary of the Hospices of Hope. It was an inspiring session, with speeches from significant contributors throughout that time, and also a verbal history of the successes and hurdles faced by the team. It really goes to show that without dedication and determination, charities can fall down very quickly. It was immensely lucky that Graham Perolls, the trustees, his family, and team in Brasov continued to fight for such a  worthy cause. Without this support so many families would be without medical care, without psychological and spiritual support through their final days, or through a family members final days. I couldn't think of anything worse than spending your final moments in a hospital bed, scared, alone, and without the Hospices assistance.

Then adventure time! Kim, also a PULSE volunteer and I, spent the weekend with the medical team, firstly staying overnight in a beautiful monastery and then a trek through the mountains the day following. It was such an amazing experience. Very relaxing, very spiritual.

and of course, after such an incredible adventure, my body has gone kaput. I am home at the moment, waiting to feel a little better. I did want to lose that extra five kilos, but this is a little extreme. And to top it off, I have thrown my back out... What a nightmare!

I miss my babies, my family, my friends, I know that I will feel better soon, but is funny how these moments make you crave the simplicity of every day existence.

Dani...

xxx