Health Seica
This programme began in 1996 as an attempt to treat the prevalence of hypertension in the community. However, at that time the local Romanian doctors asked the charity to concentrate on sick children and ante and post natal cases rather than high blood pressure. Since then the goal posts have moved several more times and the charity has learnt to answer the questions ‘THEY’ are asking, not the ones the charity is asking!
Currently most money goes to people who cannot afford treatment, particularly children such as:
- a little child of 5 with a rare kidney disease had much needed surgery .
- a 12 year old girl, Lucia, had her deformed leg restructured and her whole life changed - she could walk and not just hobble in pain.
- Raluca had eye surgery to restore her sight.
- Alina, 16, was sponsored for specialised treatment in Bucharest to save her sight.
- 2 little girls both had treatment for large deforming strawberry marks (haemangioma) on their faces. Anca, aged 2, had surgery very successfully, but Maria, aged 4, had to go 300 miles to Bucharest each month for expensive laser treatment.
- Anca, aged 2, had surgery very successfully, but Maria, aged 4, has to go 300 miles to Bucharest each month for expensive laser treatment. She needs £100 per month sponsorship.
- Bianca at 15 was losing her hearing rapidly and needed expensive digital hearing aids. These have changed her life and in 2014 at 23 she has attained a good degree in Sibiu university, and has a job.
Older people benefit as well:
- Ana, who at 76 has elephantiasis, receives help with her medication and in her home.
- Rafila, a mum of 4, had a small operation on both her ears, and was jubilant when the bandages came off and she could hear.
And there are many others who have been helped over the years.
Spring 2012 –a little 9 year old child with Spina Bifida desperately needed surgery. The money was been raised for her, for which we give thanks to God, and the generosity of people in the UK – but the operation had to be cancelled due to her general health being so fragile.
2014 – the charity has used the money raised to purchase a shower trolley for her. Currently she is bathed in the kitchen in a baby bath on the floor. The trolley will be taken out in June 2014 and revolutionise her life.