A haunting yet hopeful expedition

The Dumfries businessman said that he found his trip to Bucharest and the surrounding area to be one full of contradictions

Scottish businessman Michael Pattie has just returned from what he describes as one of the most harrowing yet inspirational trips of his life.

He was among a party of eight people who travelled to Romania to see the work being done there by Dumfries-based charity, the RAP foundation.

The organisation has been helping orphans in the country since the fall of the Ceausescu regime in 1989.

Below is Mr Pattie's report on his experiences in Romania.

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The group was amazed by the positive spirit of the young adults it met

Trepidation, excitement and apprehension were but a few of the cocktail ingredients which made up our thoughts in anticipation of our visit to Bucharest.

A party of eight left Dumfries recently to experience the remarkable work of the RAP foundation which works to provide a better future for disabled and disadvantaged orphans in the city of immense contrast that is Bucharest.

The inspirational Linda Barr ("Lindutsa" to the children) has worked with these children for around 18 years and is tireless in her passion for the work of the RAP since answering a call for nurses to help in the wake of the fall of the Ceausescu regime in the revolution of 1989.

Our first trip was to visit the grave of Adriana a 28-year-old who had spent her life in a "Camin" or living area.

"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance" - stated an interesting poster on the wall which gave us food for thought

Linda had formed a special bond with Adriana and was devastated to hear that she had died and been buried in an unknown pauper's grave.

The RAP worked hard to locate her and give her a proper burial and, with the generosity of the players and staff from the former Gretna Football Club, Adriana now lies in a well marked stone grave which shines out in a haunting field of mainly unknown graves.

A testament to the humanity shown by a caring few.

The following day saw us making a trip to an adult institution in Plataresti.

This formerly housed abandoned and disabled youngsters but is now purely for adults.

I was told Ceausescu's belief was that any family who gave birth to a child with a disability was in punishment for previous wrongs.

These children were abandoned in huge numbers.

There was irony in the randomly selected music being played en route in the car - Chris Rea's "Road to Hell".

The visit proved to be both an emotional and cultural

Harrowing is perhaps too tame a word for what we saw.

These human beings are trapped and are unwanted and would be forgotten were it not for a remarkable few.

Eyes lit up and souls came to life on catching a glimpse of "Lindutsa".

Happiness, hugging and laughing all broke out spontaneously as if there was an awakening of the dead.

We were shown round a 15th century chapel being restored in the grounds of Plataresti which provided a thought-provoking paradox.

Preaching peace, love and caring alongside some of the most harrowing scenes we witnessed.

A haunting and lasting memory is engrained in our minds when upon our departure cries from an open but barred window "Lindutsa come back" echoed in the air.

Those who work in this institution do their best but funding is minimal and training is poor.

Many of these youngsters are trapped - many have no known families or families who do not want to know them

"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance" - stated an interesting poster on the wall which gave us food for thought.

Perhaps the happiest part of the trip (seems odd using the word happy at all) was our visit to the youngster's "Camin".

On arrival there was disappointment with the news that we would not be given access inside (one has to wonder what reasons they had for that decision).

However, a group of about 15 youngsters were brought out to us and we were given permission to take them to McDonald's for lunch.

Along with the children we had the company of a remarkable lady, lovingly known as Papa Cica ("small doll").

The children adore her and she has dedicated herself to caring for and educating the youngsters.

We felt so humble when Papa Cica thanked us for coming to see the children.

It was a privilege to meet her and see her dedication.

The Dumfries delegation took a bit of Scotland to Romania

We returned from the McDonald's trip with images of smiling faces and excited shrieks.

These tactile youngsters were so well behaved - they tidied up without prompting and were very caring towards each other.

Each one returned grasping their free soft toy.

We all hope that the memories of their short but happy trip out of the camin will last in the minds of these children, perhaps even captured within their soft toys.

"The best of times and the worst of times" - a very apt quote from a member of a previous visit.

Many of these youngsters are trapped - many have no known families or families who do not want to know them.

They obviously can't be put out of care, so where lies the answer?

Increased funding and quality training for the carers would help.

Continual awareness outwith the walls of these institutions is essential.

As a fabulous testament to what can be achieved our final visit was to the flat which now houses four young adult men who had spent many years in a camin.

Through the work of the RAP, backed by former Gretna FC owner Brooks Mileson, they now live semi-independent lives with 24/7 care from four "mothers" who take shifts living in.

Positive progress

Aurel, Florin, Razvan and Virgil all hold jobs and have considerable independence.

Two of them work in the British Embassy and Razvan astonished us with the extent of his English.

The four male members of the Dumfries contingent decided to enforce the strong Scottish link by visiting the flat wearing kilts.

This went down so well that within a few minutes we had swapped and four kilted, laughing Romanians were being taught the Highland fling.

It was certainly a highlight of the trip and proved without doubt that positive progress is possible.

Perhaps within the work of the RAP Foundation and the dedication of a few remarkable individuals, who ensure that the situation is not forgotten, lies the best hope for the future of these youngsters.

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Two events involving the RAP Foundation are taking place in Dumfries in the months ahead.

A charity ball is being held at the Cairndale Hotel on 8 November while a team from the group will be taking part in a Strictly Cabaret event on 30 and 31 January 2009.