Letter from Romania
From Hajnalka Mátéffy, cofounder and full-time employee of the RIG Bautzen sponsored youth project „Feherlofia“ in Cristuru-Secuiesc (Székelykeresztúr)
Dear friends and supporters!
A great many good things happened to our teenagers in the recent years. They live in smaller communities and go to school together with children and teenagers from town. They attend the childrens' service at the catholic church. But still, they remain greatly disadvantaged compared to the other teenagers in town.
Picture: Celebrating Birthday with the teenagers.
What they most gravely lack is the binding relationship with their parents and parents' love. I remember how important it was for me as a teenager to have my mother at my side. Thus I was not afraid of replying to opinions and notions that did not comply with my opinion and morals. I was not afraid of being myself because I knew that there was somebody to love my anyway, standing by me even if I would have lost everything else. I could talk with her about the worries and feelings of a small or growing-up girl. And she listened to me, regardless of of her work, her chores and her other 3 children. She comforted me, encouraged me and celebrated my successes with me. She understood me and my life.
Having grown up, I am still amazed at how much I learnt from her. I can do my chores, cook, iron, sew, knit, start a garden, without ever having learnt that consciously. Back then, I went to work with my mother and my family. I helped her with her daily chores. We had good talks while doing that. It sometimes felt compulsive since many of my friends just enjoyed playing. But it was still nice living together in a big family. And I realized the benefits of being forced to work in order to achieve something in contrast to just spending the days on one's whim. All the people around me worked to achieve something.
Picture: Post-flooding cleanup mission.
Today, having the teenagers around me and planning so many things together, I have understood that a family is irreplaceable. Not just as a group of loving people, but also as a learning environment where a child can spontaneously, effortlessly and playfully learn the most important skills to manage its everyday life.
The teenagers are very eager to learn and and some are highly gifted, but they lack motivation and perseverance. They only get motivated if they are personally touched by something.
I am always looking for ways to work collaboratively. Occasionally, we work for the benefit of the public. I get them involved with the work and programme preparation at Fehérlófia. After a working day together, they often tell me that they they enjoyed it alot.
However, I often have twice the normal work if I involve them. Until now, they have not learnt to prepare work, tidy up afterwards or work independently. We even clean the dishes together with the 14- to 17-year-olds so they can learn that. I am aware of the fact that their education in the orphanage and the living often stuck with mere knowledge transfer. They were educated to conformity and obedience.
With your help, I hope that we can change this hopeless situation and prepare the teenagers for an independent life in a better way.
I am grateful of your past, present and future support. Without you, this serendipity and this chance for the many single teenagers in Keresztúr would not be possible.
Today I read about a copule in Hungary having their twentieth child. If for Christmas they are sitting at a table with their relatives and grandchildren, they are 57 people celebrating altogether. They are all well and happy to live in such an extended family.
Thinking of this, and praying for your and our children and your families, I'm wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May god bless you.
Yours
Hajnalka Mátéffy
In February and March 2006, Hajnalka Mátéffy will be in Germany. We would like to introduce the work in Romania to many more people since we urgently need donations to keep up our work in the future. I am asking you to spread the word and recommend us. Hajnalka Mátéffy would be happy to talk about our work in church communities, clubs and initiatives.
e-Mail: feherlofia@netter.ro
mobile: +49 176 50029795 (from 20 th January 2006)
or contact
Ulrike Heinitz, Romanian Action Group Bautzen, Public Relations
e-Mail: info@rig-bautzen.de
Veröffentlicht am 22.12.05 15:17
