First Mediterranea Meeting

Last Saturday morning we held an informal meeting at Amadipesment Café in Palmanova.  The meeting was well attended and attracted long serving members/volunteers, new members recently arrived to the island and people interested in discovering more.

The object of the meeting was to:

-       allow members/volunteers to get to know one another

-       receive an overview of projects on the go and plans for the future

-       have the opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions

The meeting was conducted in English and Spanish.  After a brief welcome everyone introduced themselves to the group, with members responsible for specific areas giving a brief overview of their area.

A number of issues and suggestions we raised:

Dignipacks – there was concern to bring the cost of the packs down.  It was suggested that any members or their friends connected to hotels could assist Mediterranea by taking advantage of their bulk purchasing.  It was suggested to get schools to involve their pupils in donating items.  Also members who travel and stay in hotels could collect and donate the small soaps, shampoos… provided in the rooms.

Facebook – members and those interested were reminded that Mediterranea now has a UK Facebook site where, once you have clicked the ‘like’ box, you can receive news, updates and give feedback, encouragement…

Home Alone – it was suggested to support elderly people living alone who are lonely by visiting them to chat and help out a little in their homes.  Warning was given as to the delicacy needed in taking on such a project and that linking with an organisation already involved, at least initially, would be advisable.

Fruit Picking for 4th World – various ideas were put forward for additional orchards and even a vegetable plot, all of which will be followed up.  A regularly occurring issue was transport.  Any member with access to a big car or jeep and a little time on their hands would be very welcome.

Fundraising – a number of events will take place in the coming weeks, which will be published in Facebook and the Blog.  High value items were requested for an up coming raffle.  It was suggested to hold a fundraising brainstorming for anyone interested.

What’s Going On? – a number of members expressed surprise at how much was going on in Mediterranea.

The meeting ended with an excellent resume by Dr Michael Stoma.

Feedback received since the meeting has indicated that it had been worthwhile, that it had stimulated some new ideas and had motivated potential and existing members to become involved or more involved.  A number of members expressed their hope that there would be more meetings, which could even include a social element.

If you would like to give feedback on the meeting either post directly to this Blog or write to Natalie Elfers natalie.elfers@gmail.com or Robin Griffith rgrif367@gmail.com

'Race Night' Fundraising at Papi's Bar

Come and enjoy a night at the races 

“RACE NIGHT”

Place your bet on the horses!

Saturday, 2^nd April

Papi´s Bar, Palma Nova

Time: 19.30 hours

First race starts at 20.00hrs

Prize raffles

Contact for details Pat 616 781190

Raising money for Mediterranea's projects

A Fantastic Opportunity to Own One of Pele's Footballs

We have been given a football signed by Pele together with a certificate of authenticity and a photo of the occasion on which it was signed.

If you are interested in purchasing the ball or know someone who collects such things then please contact us at mediterranea.ong@gmail.com

Eva Visits Her Sponsored Daughter

Four days ago I arrived back from Ethiopia and still I have emotions for all to see.  I don’t know if I can express all that I felt visiting the Mediterranea projects.  The first day of my visit to Akaki Kaliti was very hard.  I have never seen such poverty and this was not my first visit to Ethiopia.  In Akaki, there are living the poorest of the poor and amongst all this poverty I meet Y, my sponsored daughter.  Our greeting and meeting was very emotional.  Some days later I took Y to Addis to stay with me, it was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.  We enjoyed each other’s company so much.  I would recommend this to all sponsors.  I needed to be alone with her, and although we don’t speak the same language we understood each other perfectly through gestures and above all hugs and kisses.  (Also, I must say, that she got angry with me because I didn’t straighten her hair).

What can I say about Abugida?  It is a paradise amongst so much misery.  What caught my attention most was the food: breakfast, lunch, tea and its variety.  One of the days I tried a stew of macaronis, lentils, carrots, tomatoes and onion…it was so good I had to like my fingers!   I am ashamed to say that I also had the tea: a mixture of milk, biscuit and banana – fantastic!!  The sweet food is gorgeous!!  The children are happy (their mothers also).  I received more demonstrations of affection in 4 days at Abugida than in all of my 44 years.  This is what I miss the most, the kisses and hugs of the children.

Not everything was so lovely.  Together with Zerihun (Mediterranea’s representative in Ethiopia) we visited a number of colleges in Akaki and one in particular affected me strongly, Amanuel college: 130 children with sad looks and a crust of bread their only food to share between three classrooms whose roofs were on the point of collapsing.  How can Abugida not look like a paradise after this sight?  We have to continue working and fighting so that there can be more Abugidas in Akaki.  Thank you Mediterranea for all of your great work.

Eva Eiroa

The Mediterranea Calendars - A Big Success!

This is the first year that we have published a Mediterranea calendar and we are delighted because we achieved  €7800 in sales which, after discounting the printing costs, left us with  €5600.

Thank you so much to everyone, those of you who sold the calendars and those who bought them.

The income achieved will form an integral and important part of the expansion and improvement of our school projects in Akaki, Ethiopia.

The April Group will be Going in a Few Days to Abugida

In April four volunteers will arrive at Abugida, Teresa, Maite, Laura and Nacho.  Teresa and Maite have been very active and industrious in selling Mediterranea calendars and in putting on two events, we’d like to thank them very much.

Teresa is going as governess, which is to say to overview the different departments and see if there are any opportunities for making improvements.  In the kitchen, she must supervise that the food is correct, that they are not missing nor wasting food.  In the nursery, that the appropriate hours and activities are fulfilled and that the children are properly attended.  That the cleaners are properly cleaning.  Abugida exists because of and is for the children, because of this it is very important for us that the children are well and that their environment is secure, clean and welcoming.  And of course that the funds that we send and that are available thanks to our members and donators are properly used.

Laura is a nurse and will be working shoulder to shoulder with the nurse that we have contracted at Abugida.  All the ideas that she will be able to bring to improve the part played by our nurse will be very welcome.

Maite will be in charge of extra school activities.  Together with Teresa will provide educational activities for the mothers.  Nacho is going to be the handyman, a role much needed at Abugida.

From here we want to wish this valiant and supportive group much luck and a very happy stay in Abugida.