- In 2004, Second Chance opened its first
senior center for the retired citizens of Corlatesti, one of the
villages of Berceni. After the initiative of Second Chance, the seniors
have successfully taken matters in their own hands and have registered
as an official division of “The Ploiesti Pensioners”. They have elected
a president, vice-president and secretary to organize their events.
They, for instance, organized a second hand clothes sale with which
profits all 40 pensioners were able to go on a weekend trip to Moldavia.
The project was sponsored by St. Boniface Church in Geneva, Switzerland.
- In 2003, Second Chance received a food
grant from Caritas/USAID so that 117 of Berceni’s poorest families
received monthly food vouchers for potatoes, cornmeal, oil and rice.
More than 20 ton of food was distributed over a 12 month period.
- In 2004 and 2005, Second Chance
distributed nearly a full warehouse of winter clothing.
- Three computer labs have been installed
for over 500 children at local schools. Internet was installed in the
Middle School with the help of the Mayor’s office.
- Second Chance renovated all 5
kindergartens with the help of volunteers from the community and the
Mayor’s Office.
- A medical assistance program was set up
to provide the Berceni community’s local doctor with diabetes testing
kits, stethoscopes, blood pressure machine, sterilized one-use syringes
and other medical supplies.
- For its projects, Second Chance has
temporarily hired unemployed people from the community to help them gain
some working experience and earn either money or goods such as food or
housing materials. Both skilled and unskilled laborers have helped
rebuild community schools, computer labs, lavatories and schoolyard
fences.
- Nicolette Mak, a Second Chance
volunteer, has organized funding for a physically disabled Berceni girl
called Mihaela. Funds were raised in the Netherlands and sponsorship was
provided by the Amsterdam Medical Center and the Ronald McDonald House
to help Mihaela. Her leg was amputated and she received a prosthesis.
Her rehabilitation was organized through the local outreach center in
Bucharest. Follow-up and prostheses adapted to her growth are ensured
today.
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