Romania Days 1 -4

 Day 1

Colin has spent a very special and exciting day in Buhusi. The first part involved visiting Mihai Eminescu School.Colin and Keith were given the traditional welcome from 3 children in national costume of bread and salt. On a tour of the school children danced traditional Colin and Keith went next door to the secondary school-Ion Borcea High to deliver their special course to over 120 teachers.The teaches danced , sang and joined in with icebreakers as they saw how their own names, songs and dances can be used to develop links with other schools in other countries.The teachers had had a very long day-they worked from 8.00 a.m. and finished the course at 6.15 p.m. What a wonderful group of proud and happy people.

Day2

 Snow had been falling heavily overnight and the trip from Bacau to Buhusi was interesting to say the least.we walked the last km to school in falling snow as Gabby's car could not negotiate the hill.All the other vehicles managed it. In Wales cars would have not been driven but here in Romania people get to work, nowhere closes and the economy continues. Once in the high school a little late it wasamazing for us to see the course members all ready for us. They had travelled in difficult conditions because they wanted the course.They deserve respect for this. In fact they were a truly amazing group- very warm and friendly. Keith and i enjoyed taking them through the course. Lunchtime was spent in Amadeus a new modern restaurant where we enjoyed a home made selection of food.The course members were presented with their certificates. Our translators were thanked for being so fantastic and given gifts  for their hard work in translating our work.I felt that new friendships have been made and that the teachers on this course will kep in touch into the future.Thank you to the course members in Buhusi ,to the Headteachers in the schools for their hospitality, to Gabby and Dragos Stan for organising the venue and logistics for putting on the course and to Roxanna and Mirella for being our translators.Finally to the children of the schools we wish you love , hope and strength for the future. The poem below shows how I feel about Buhusi through the children.I will make it into a song.

                                  Children of Buhusi

 You see the pride in childrens faces

 With history in the dances stepped

 Their costumes weave rich culture

 As they sing a healthy tune

 Ch 

 Buhusi your beacon shines 

 Your flame is strong in young ones hearts

 Buhusi your heart is beating

 To a tune that shares your lives with a world that needs  to know.

 You feel a passion from the singing

 With drama  showing time and care

 Their welcomes kiss your conscience

 At a special time for us

Moinesti Days 3 and 4

It was great to travel 45km south west from Bacau to Moinesti in the company of Gabby Stan (Director of the teachers training centre), Dragos Stan his assistant and Keith from Schools in Europe. The heavy snow had painted a fantastic and pretty picture as we travelled. The George Enescu High School named after a famous Romanian composer looked inviting and the headteacher gave us a truly warm and enthusiastic reception. The two day course went down well and it amazed us that once again 120 teachers had braved the snow and ice to travel in their spare time (including  a Sunday) to attend our course .We danced , sang, shared stories ,looked at how to use a school (Heulfre) and a town (Denbigh) to promote international links. They were taken through the maze that is Comenius by Keith who simplified the whole process of getting a partner school and how to move it forward. At the end of the course a wonderful presentation ceremony took place and we separated as friends with the great people of Moinesti. Colin thanks  George Enescu school for hosting our course, Gabby Stan for  being a wonderful supportive host , Dragos Stan for providing the resources and setting them up and to Monica and Helen for their fantastic translating.

Back in the hotel we met with Mihaela to discuss a Comenius type course in Bacau in October. Colin was pleased to see Roxana and receive cards from their partnership school. Gifts were given and received at the end of a wonderful four days and we gave a tearful farewell to our friends.

Romania is a fantastic place to visit. It is a hidden jewel with people who are so warm and welcoming. They have a proud culture, big hearts and a willingness to give themselves to help others. The teachers are so committed to get the best for their children that they will travel miles and miles in very difficult conditions in their spare time(including weekends) to attend courses like ours. If you get the opportunity to go there do it you wont regret it.

Moinesti

There is a spirit when you smile

A welcome in your hearts

Your voices show great passion

As you lead your busy lives

But your friendship is forever

Your laughter and your care.

Your future built on hope and love

For those who wish to share.

You make us feel so humble

By the way you walk hard paths

Your dedication faultless

And commitment not in doubt

You’ve not become a partner

But a friend in all we do.

Give love , hope and strength with passion

And our world will move as one.

Colin R Moinesti, Romania Feb 15^th 2010