Dear Friends                                                                     

If the arrival of September means ‘everything getting back to normal' with the end of holidays, schools back and Church programmes get re-started - all of which sounds like a definite increase in the pace of life and daily 'busyness' - then in Smiles, September lived up to all expectations!

Whilst many of us were travelling the Motorways of Britain, the Smiles team in Romania were gearing up for and launching the new school year at Tileagd School & Nursery as well as in Gepiu at the Community Centre for the Education Support classes. The success of the work in Gepiu this year brings with it, challenges and frustrations. More children with their parents came to the Gepiu Centre asking for help and trying to enrol their children in our programme. Current limitations mean we can not enrol more than 30 children in the specific ‘School Support' programme so once again, a waiting list was compiled for any openings that become available in the future.

We sincerely ‘Thank' those of you who support the work in Gepiu through the Smiles 100 Love Club. We ask you to faithfully continue to do so, but to also pray for more people to join and allow us to respond positively to those who want to attend. We know it is difficult in these times to support everything, but perhaps a small sacrifice on our part could allow the life changing opportunity for a child in Gepiu to get the help they need to achieve their full potential.

In Gepiu and in Tileagd, tremendous excitement was evident in the children to be back at School. Equally, a great opportunity and responsibility is on the teachers and helpers at both locations to provide all they can for these wonderful children, who in the majority of cases live very hard lives and desperately need the help and support Smiles gives through your generous assistance.

Read the Report on the beginning of a new academic year
‘The First Day' for the Tileagd Community School and Nursery.

Also in Tileagd, the Community Church has been experiencing ‘revival' in the last few months. All the work the 'Ministry Team' has been undertaking is experiencing God's blessing. Brother Titus Pop joined the team in August with special pastoral responsibilities within the community and at the Church. He spent a week in September away in Bucharest at a Bible Conference especially targeted for Roma communities. Guiry and Basti joined Titus for an experience of their life. The first time ever in such an environment of Praise & Worship, Teaching & Preaching.

Meanwhile, while they were in Bucharest, Pastor Ilie, Adi, Dana & Marian continued the work in Tileagd. In the new youth groups, it was thrilling to have
35 + children attending. Dana is doing a great job leading the Princess and Angels Clubs. Marian and Adi are caring for the boys, with help from Titus and of course, Adi is now conducting a number of Guitar classes through School and Church groups.

Read the Special Report from Tileagd Community Church.

  
Of course, for The Smiles Foundation to be able to continue all the projects we have in Romania that benefit the communities and people so much, we must have your continued support. Over so many years now it has been remarkable how thousands of people from all walks of life get involved with raising funds for the work to continue and develop.

Currently we have so many amazing efforts being undertaken to raise funds for Smiles and we are really Thankful to you all.

Most incredible is Paul Swithenbank and Stephen Lawton undertaking their trek of the Great Wall if China on October 3^rd. They have been in intensive training, walking 13 miles a day in Wales for example. Over £3,000 has been raised so far by the pair and I believe a Trek of this magnitude deserves even more support. It's not too late if you can encourage them on their way. Go to our Events Page and sponsor them through JustGiving. All donations are towards the costs of building the new Nursing Home in Romania.

The next day, October 4^th - Stuart Wallace is taking a Sky Dive raising money for Smiles in the process. Some friends think you're mad Stuart, but we don't - we think you're Fantastic! Again, to support Stuart go to our Events Page and sponsor him through JustGiving.

Our supporters in the North-East of England from Rye Hills School are working hard at Morrisons Supermarket on October 10^th. Packing all the shopping bags for hundreds of shoppers will raise a lot of money for Smiles projects in Romania.

Then on October 22^nd in Bromsgrove, England - the wonderful Chadsgrove School Choir are presenting a concert to raise funds for the new ‘Centre for Children with Disabilities' planning to be built by Smiles in Romania in the next year. Ticket information is on the Events Page.

  
The Centre for Children with Disabilities is to be built at our Cihei property as part of a ‘Joint Facility of Love' providing also a Nursing Home to care for the old and vulnerable in the region. With an anticipated construction cost of £493,500 / $789,600 this is another God-Sized challenge and we pray to see another miraculous provision from God to allow construction to begin soon.

We have been working on preliminary paper-work for several months now but delighted to report that on September 24^th, the final piece of paperwork was approved by authorities in Oradea - paving the way for our Construction plans to be submitted. Praise God for his faithfulness and the hard work of faithful staff in Romania. A special thank-you to Dana Hanga for her hard work with Mayors, Authorities, Architects and Lawyers!

Over £57,000 ($91,000) has already been raised for the ‘Joint Facility' but of course there is a long way to go. Now the paperwork is approved, we want to move forward at full steam - so please check the site, get informed about our desire and objectives for the new facility and start planning your fund-raising event to see another ‘dream become reality'.

You don't have to Trek the Great Wall of China or undertake a Sky Dive - whatever is within your ‘comfort zone' with the support of your family and friends could begin to make a life-changing difference to the people of Romania. Go for it NOW!

And of course, from Romania - adding to the other Reports featured this month is the ever popular monthly update from Director of Operations - Maria Cimpoca.

We do hope you enjoy the Update this month and all the Special Reports there are to keep you informed of progress within the Projects you support.

The month ahead is going to be another busy one for sure. More than 30 visitors on our October Mission Trip which is going to be tremendously exciting as we plan for more Container Homes to be delivered to the Salard Community. Our first ever full Development Associate Conference to be held in Leeds on October 17^th and a UK Board of Trustees Meeting in Leeds this month means we need your prayers and support as much or more than ever.

Thank you for your love and support. Not only for The Smiles Foundation, but more importantly for the people of Romania who need you today as much as any point in the past 20 years, since the fall of Communism in 1989, as they continue to seek God and His Power to transform their lives. 

God Bless you all.

The Smiles Foundation