Romanian Handicapped Ministries, Inc.
Updates
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| Dedicated to demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ, and sharing His plan for hope and a future to the handicapped in Romania. (Jer. 29:11) |
| Hopenotes - RHM's Newsletter |
| Newsletter Download may take a little time. Please be patient. |
| 2006 Spring To Romania with Love Foundation Accredited Clinic Space Needed Church Visit Street Scene 2006 Summer To Romania with Love - Team Experience 2005 Spring "50-50 Fellowship" New Directors A Pastor's Point of View Letter to the Editor Pure Love Among Us Romanian Baptist Ministers Conference 2005 Summer Land of Challenge and Reward Daily Ministry Healing Love Day Camp 2005 |
| Hopenotes are in pdf file. If you do not have Adobe Reader, click on link below for free download. http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html |
| Spring 2004 A Star Shown over Constanta February Conference in Florida 2004 Trip Plans Firming Up Grand Opening of Clinic Loving through Literacy 2003 Spring Increased Vision Abundantly Above! Music and Munoz Vision Trip Planned Florida Romanian Baptist Conference 2003 Fall Greetings Employees' Visas Denied Church Proposal Looking for Clinic Site Successful 2003 Day Camp |
| 2008 Winter Land for Day Care Center One of God's Hidden Treasures Summer Team Call 2007 Fall How Does God View Affliction Tenth Anniversary of Day Camps A Visit to the Happy Place 2007 Summer Hope for the Children RHM's 10th Anniversary Camp 2007 Spring From Romania with Love Prevention Project Well Received The Giving Doll Project Christmas in Constanta From the President's Desk Romania's First Friendship Games |
A Personal Day Center Visit, June 28 - July 11, 2007
Following the end of the 2007 summer day camp, a team mate (Johanna Martin) and I remained two more weeks to
experience a little of the daily operation of the Day Center. Camp is a fun, busy time, far from the normal, daily routine for
the Day Center program. Since I work with the parents during camp, this allowed me the opportunity to also interact with
the campers in a more natural setting. They were like well-behaved little children who loved to be loved, and who freely
and frequently showed their love for each other.
I was impressed by the professional level of work being done by the staff, the evaluations and records they maintain, the
warmth and caring they display. What a beautiful ministry of love, compassion and respect for the dignity of personhood.
Activities wait for all to arrive and if anyone is later, the time is filled with unstructured chat and laughter. It was easy to see
that for these members, the Day Center is definitely a Happy Place! It vibrates with a spirit of joy and fun.
Legislations change frequently in Romania, but hopefully, the quality of ministry will change only for the better as time
progresses. Currently, mentally disabled people are designated by 3 Levels which are determined by a facility/agency prior
to their coming to the RHM-RO Foundation. All of our members are at either Level 1 or Level 2 mental disability.
Level 1 –
• A relative is required to be an at-home caregiver.
• State grants the monthly equivalent of $123 USD.
Level 2 –
• Ability to care for self for short periods, if necessary.
• Limited scholastic ability, so no public education.
• State grants the monthly equivalent of $98 USD.
Level 3 –
• Public education, but students have difficulty in competing academically or socially.
• State grants the monthly equivalent of $14 USD.
IQ scores are not based on multiple intelligence spectrums, but by subjective questions. Therefore, careful monthly
reevaluations assure that Day Center expectations remain appropriate.
On any average day, time blocks are scheduled in from 9 AM till 2 PM for physical therapy, free interaction with each other
and simple, basic academics.
1. Categories for Functional Literacy, an outstanding English-Romanian program created especially for RHM by Amanda
Conrad in 2003-2004, provides an interactive method for learning language.
2. Language Arts - writing names, copying letters or strokes, syllabic division, simple crossword puzzles, mazes, drawing,
coloring, etc.
3. Math – main emphasis on money recognition; counting objects, number recognition, telling time, number games, etc.
4. Computers – type-copying letters from the printed page, fascination with moving screensavers, and discovery what
striking keys produce on the screen.
5. Music – CDs play during writing, calisthenics, rest breaks, singing and dancing.
6. Bible concepts – projector presentations, DVDs, stories with related activities (e.g., building a Tower of Babel; puppets
shows).
7. Health/Hygiene – personal cleanliness; Dr. Gabi helps very overweight students to reduce weight.
8. Social/Art & Crafts – Friday is reserved for socializing activities, birthdays, crafts and team games that always result in
cheers and high-fives all around - no matter who wins.
Parent Involvement
Parents are responsible to get their children to the Center in the mornings and help with other task when asked. Some will
be a part the Foundation Board and be more actively involved.
Physical Therapy
The four large muscle PT machines (a stepper, a stationary bike, a vibrator/belt massage, and a treadmill) fill virtually every
inch of Dr. Gabi’s tiny office. Small muscles get a work out with hand massage, hand grips, balls to squeeze, bands to
stretch, small weights; pencils, markers, crayons, fancy-cut scissors, and the two computers. All have learned the sequence
of their individual therapy program.
Staff
I was impressed with the professionalism of our staff, the maintenance of a joyful, happy atmosphere and their sincere love
for each member. Gabi, an energetic, happy-spirited physician and Liviu, a witty, creative social worker are multi-taskers:
teachers, careful record keepers, custodians, and counselors – everything that isn't driving (50 miles a day), maintenance
or administrative in nature. That is
Silviu’s area.
Acceptance into the Program
When new people seek to join the Foundation, a 3-4 week adjustment period is provided to see if there is an appropriate fit.
Two persons have needed to be refused due to aggressive behavior.
Major Needs
1. Space
Until I visited it, I never imagined how tight the Day Center is when everyone is there – sort of a sardine situation. (I dubbed
it Squeeze City.)
Though the Foundation could legally carry 25 members without having to hire additional staff, this is currently only a
ludicrous thought. They are supposed to have only ten students at one time in the place, so there is no extra space to
work individually with any of the diverse needs.
2. Curriculum
Another major need is curriculum - a guide for goals, expectations, activities, etc. Very little guidance is available even in the
US, and teachers of disabled children and adults are “on their own” as to practical applications.
3. An academic teacher
Gabi and Liviu fill 5 individual roles, thus are overloaded. Please pray God to send us a pedagogically trained person to be a
teacher. The law requires a certified teacher be a Romanian citizen, so Americans don’t qualify except as volunteers. Please
pray for these 3 needs!
Dorothy Faye Geverdt
Following the end of the 2007 summer day camp, a team mate (Johanna Martin) and I remained two more weeks to
experience a little of the daily operation of the Day Center. Camp is a fun, busy time, far from the normal, daily routine for
the Day Center program. Since I work with the parents during camp, this allowed me the opportunity to also interact with
the campers in a more natural setting. They were like well-behaved little children who loved to be loved, and who freely
and frequently showed their love for each other.
I was impressed by the professional level of work being done by the staff, the evaluations and records they maintain, the
warmth and caring they display. What a beautiful ministry of love, compassion and respect for the dignity of personhood.
Activities wait for all to arrive and if anyone is later, the time is filled with unstructured chat and laughter. It was easy to see
that for these members, the Day Center is definitely a Happy Place! It vibrates with a spirit of joy and fun.
Legislations change frequently in Romania, but hopefully, the quality of ministry will change only for the better as time
progresses. Currently, mentally disabled people are designated by 3 Levels which are determined by a facility/agency prior
to their coming to the RHM-RO Foundation. All of our members are at either Level 1 or Level 2 mental disability.
Level 1 –
• A relative is required to be an at-home caregiver.
• State grants the monthly equivalent of $123 USD.
Level 2 –
• Ability to care for self for short periods, if necessary.
• Limited scholastic ability, so no public education.
• State grants the monthly equivalent of $98 USD.
Level 3 –
• Public education, but students have difficulty in competing academically or socially.
• State grants the monthly equivalent of $14 USD.
IQ scores are not based on multiple intelligence spectrums, but by subjective questions. Therefore, careful monthly
reevaluations assure that Day Center expectations remain appropriate.
On any average day, time blocks are scheduled in from 9 AM till 2 PM for physical therapy, free interaction with each other
and simple, basic academics.
1. Categories for Functional Literacy, an outstanding English-Romanian program created especially for RHM by Amanda
Conrad in 2003-2004, provides an interactive method for learning language.
2. Language Arts - writing names, copying letters or strokes, syllabic division, simple crossword puzzles, mazes, drawing,
coloring, etc.
3. Math – main emphasis on money recognition; counting objects, number recognition, telling time, number games, etc.
4. Computers – type-copying letters from the printed page, fascination with moving screensavers, and discovery what
striking keys produce on the screen.
5. Music – CDs play during writing, calisthenics, rest breaks, singing and dancing.
6. Bible concepts – projector presentations, DVDs, stories with related activities (e.g., building a Tower of Babel; puppets
shows).
7. Health/Hygiene – personal cleanliness; Dr. Gabi helps very overweight students to reduce weight.
8. Social/Art & Crafts – Friday is reserved for socializing activities, birthdays, crafts and team games that always result in
cheers and high-fives all around - no matter who wins.
Parent Involvement
Parents are responsible to get their children to the Center in the mornings and help with other task when asked. Some will
be a part the Foundation Board and be more actively involved.
Physical Therapy
The four large muscle PT machines (a stepper, a stationary bike, a vibrator/belt massage, and a treadmill) fill virtually every
inch of Dr. Gabi’s tiny office. Small muscles get a work out with hand massage, hand grips, balls to squeeze, bands to
stretch, small weights; pencils, markers, crayons, fancy-cut scissors, and the two computers. All have learned the sequence
of their individual therapy program.
Staff
I was impressed with the professionalism of our staff, the maintenance of a joyful, happy atmosphere and their sincere love
for each member. Gabi, an energetic, happy-spirited physician and Liviu, a witty, creative social worker are multi-taskers:
teachers, careful record keepers, custodians, and counselors – everything that isn't driving (50 miles a day), maintenance
or administrative in nature. That is
Silviu’s area.
Acceptance into the Program
When new people seek to join the Foundation, a 3-4 week adjustment period is provided to see if there is an appropriate fit.
Two persons have needed to be refused due to aggressive behavior.
Major Needs
1. Space
Until I visited it, I never imagined how tight the Day Center is when everyone is there – sort of a sardine situation. (I dubbed
it Squeeze City.)
Though the Foundation could legally carry 25 members without having to hire additional staff, this is currently only a
ludicrous thought. They are supposed to have only ten students at one time in the place, so there is no extra space to
work individually with any of the diverse needs.
2. Curriculum
Another major need is curriculum - a guide for goals, expectations, activities, etc. Very little guidance is available even in the
US, and teachers of disabled children and adults are “on their own” as to practical applications.
3. An academic teacher
Gabi and Liviu fill 5 individual roles, thus are overloaded. Please pray God to send us a pedagogically trained person to be a
teacher. The law requires a certified teacher be a Romanian citizen, so Americans don’t qualify except as volunteers. Please
pray for these 3 needs!
Dorothy Faye Geverdt