Shoe Factory

Earlier this year we visited the Shoe Shop for the Society of the Disabled. We were so impressed with the work that these people do and the quality of the shoes they make on old antique sewing machines. We wanted to help this shoe shop and were excited when this project was approved. We were able to provide 5 new machines. (2 single stitch, 1 double stitch, 1 flat bed, and 1 skiving machine.) I have posted pictures of the old machines, and also the new machines. Constantine and his wife were so excited about the new machines. This will make their work so much easier, and they will be able to produce more shoes faster with better quality. By the way they can make any shoe you want, you just have to go in and have your foot measured.

Pensioners

On Thursday June 25, 2009 Elder Hinson and I were able to take the YSA’s from Chisinau Branch to Balti for a service project. We have been working with the Pensioners (retired individuals) organization to bring humanitarian aid to these individuals. The Pensioners live on about 50 dollars a month that they receive from the Moldovan government ( social security). The Mayor’s office allocated their organization 28 hectares of land (about 67 acres). Each spring they distribute plots of land among the elderly to farm. They depend on their crops to provide food to eat throughout the year. They also sell their excess produce for extra income. Our project was to bring a new Roto-Tiller and hygiene kits to the pensioners. We were so excited when this project was approved and thought it would be a good opportunity for our YSA’s to serve. We first had to go and buy all the hygiene kit supplies. What a job!!!! Without a car I wondered how we were going to accomplish this. There is a very special lady in our branch, and she is a great shopper and speaks 3 languages. Hripsime agreed to help me purchase all the supplies at the Piata (out door market). Her daughter Hasmic and Sora Telford also wanted to get in on the fun, and so we had a wonderful ladies day out shopping!!! By the time we had 100 towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo we could not carry it all so we got a taxi to take us back to the church where we stored it until the YSA’s could put it together at their service project. On Thursday we loaded up the maxi taxi and headed to Balti for the ceremony. We drove out into the pensioner’s fields where they were anxiously waiting for us. They were so grateful for the Roto-Tiller which will make farm work so much easier. They were also so happy to receive the hygiene kits. One woman showed us her arms where the weeds and bushes had scratched them, and was grateful for the soap to be able to clean her arms. (These people can’t afford to purchase these items). We don’t appreciate so many simple things that we have. The young people (YSA’s) that went felt a wonderful spirit at this ceremony. 2 of the young people that went are investigators and were very touched by the acts of service provided for these elderly people. We finished the day with a great lunch at Andy’s pizza.

R.S. visit to orphanage

On Saturday May 30th the Chisinau Branch Relief Society went to an orphanage to deliver pillows that they had made at an enrichment night activity. It was a very emotional experience for me. Elder Hinson and I have not visited any orphanages while we have been here. The children we usually deal with have families (parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.) that take care of them. These beautiful children have no one except those teachers who work in this facility. The R.S. brought the pillows that they had made, and also cookies, candy, juice, and other treats. These children were so grateful for everything!!!!! They hugged their pillows. It didn’t matter what color their pillow was because it was something that belong to just them. The children then each recited a poem, and when I asked what they were saying one of the sisters told me they were talking about their mothers. I just about lost control of myself! It was hard to see these beautiful children without loving parents to take care of them. I am always reminded to be grateful for the blessing I have been given, and to try harder to do more to help my fellow beings.

Spring in Moldova

As we drive through Moldova we are amazed at how beautiful the countryside is in the spring. There are so many wild flowers blooming everywhere. The hills are covered either in yellow or deep green. We have enjoyed spring after a cold dreary winter!

Cotiujenii Mari

Counterpart International asked Elder Hinson and me if we would like to do an inspection of a Container donation. We were excited to see how the goods were blessing the lives of individuals. We went to a daycare for children whose parents are working out of Moldova (in other parts of Europe). These children are left with grandparents, older siblings, aunts, uncles, neighbors, or anybody they can find to take them. This facility gives these children a stable environment where they feel safe and secure. When the children are finished with school they can come to this daycare and learn computer skills, exercise, play games, and have a good meal. Some of the children are handicapped and stay at the facility all day. The children receive clothing donated by LDS Charities. The quilts also donated by LDS Charities provide warmth and comfort to these children. We are always amazed at the Directors and teachers at these facilities. They are angels sent from heaven because they love and care for these little children without much compensation. They are doing a wonderful job!