Moldova Mission Trip 2011
Staff and pupils in Cullybackey High School took part in a summer mission trip to Moldova (Eastern Europe) in July with an organisation called 'Vision of Good Hope'. 'Vision of Good Hope' is a Northern Ireland based Christian charity which has provided and runs an orphanage and rehabilitation centre in Moldova. The charity was founded in 2002 to help the very needy population there and particularly the orphaned or abused children. The House of Hope now offers these little ones a loving secure home, education and skills, and above all, hope for the future.
The demand for places on the mission trip was so great, 18 pupils and 7 staff, that the group had to be split in two with each group going for a period of one week between the 4th and 18th of July.
As part of the trip staff and pupils took part in many activities. In the morning we spent time helping around the orphanage, this involved gardening and painting the play park. Some also helped the painting of rooms for a local poor family. In the afternoons we visited the local community, this included visits to other orphanages, schools and the medical centre and they also had the opportunity to give out hampers to the local community. On some afternoons we also got the chance to take the children out of the orphanage on trips, these included the lagoon, a boat trip and ice-skating. In the evenings we held a kids club with Bible stories, songs and crafts. We also had time for outdoor games.
To provide aid in Moldova we were involved in a number of fundraising activities up until July. These included a quiz sheet, sponsored abseil from the Europa hotel, pampered chef evening, fashion show, sponsored walk, coffee morning and generous donations. Altogether we raised £11,258 with approx £4,000 already having been handed over during the trip. Two workers from the House of Hope Marina the missionary and Luda the cook visited the school on the 20th September and accepted the balance of £7200 at a school assembly. The full amount raised went solely on the project with pupils and staff all paying their own travel expenses. The money will go towards sponsoring a teacher at the orphanage, refurbishment of a room, new heating, help for the local community and general orphanage running expenses.
We would like to thank everyone for their support, both the staff and pupils had a very worthwhile experience and we will have many lifelong memories. We would also encourage you to support the work of Vision of Good Hope by visiting their charity shops in Church Street and Larne Road Ballymena.