Roma Villages Receive Hygiene Kits

LDS Charities of Slovakia involved with another community project for the Roma children.

LDS Charities provided 1800 Hygiene kits to multiple Roma Villages. Each hygiene kit included assorted items including two bars soap, toothbrush and paste, tissues, combs, shampoo, laundry detergent, feminine pads, and diapers. Shopping “on sale” allowed double the amount of items to be purchased with the budgeted funds.

The European Single Adults assembled over 1,000 kits at their 2018 Conference in Czech Republic. They also donated items to make an additional 250 kits. News articles were written about this event and it had a great impact on those participating. Video of the event shows volunteers all wearing yellow “helping hands” vests working together to pack hygiene items in plastic bags.

Multiple Roma communities were selected due to active NGO’s working with the children to teach hygiene and encouraging improved health and sanitation. Many Roma have no running water or indoor toilets.

We received photos and reports of dental specialist teaching classes full of children how to properly brush teeth and other hygiene habits.

A special shampoo for Lice was requested which is a common problem keeping kids out of school, so several bottles were provided to NGO’s. At least ten Roma villages were assisted with assorted hygiene items. 

No closing ceremony was anticipated, however several photos were sent by NGO’s of the kits being distributed. Some during a girl’s summer camp activity and others in classrooms and large gathering of parents.

One group of kids held a sign that stated “Thank you LDS Charities”.

Restore to Original Appearance

Over time, the masonry on brick or stone buildings will eventually need repair. The mortar holding the bricks deteriorates and reconstruction is necessary. 

In Slovakia, most brick or stone buildings are very old. They could have been built hundreds of years ago and over the centuries they deteriorate and need a face lift. The structures were  originally made of small bricks, usually stable, but the walls and roofs need repairs to keep them from flaking and crumbling down completely. Everywhere there are buildings with crumbling plaster issues and exposed bricks. They will either need reconstruction or soon will need to be reconstructed. Many have had improvements to the outer walls and they look fabulous. 

A high percent of buildings have visible damage and peeling plaster problems  so many are pot-holed with chunks of cement missing. A building may look like it is falling apart from the outside but when you walk inside, the interior looks great. Several office buildings are surprising modern inside.

Reconstruction requires a large scaffolding

set up with a fabric protective covering. Many buildings in Prešov, are four stories high and have unique decorative exterior detail. The old stucco facing is scraped off and a new outer coating is replaced. Once complete, paint is used and many are finished with two-tones of color.

A new trend to Slovakia, buildings are insulated with thick sheets of Styrofoam affixed to the exterior walls before stucco is applied.

We appreciate the reconstruction option which maintains the same European architecture. Once the building is re-surfaced it looks as good as new. The newly reconstructed buildings stay solid with brick foundations, walls, and cement floors.

It’s exciting to see the transformation when the building is restored to original appearance. This beautiful building keeps the intricate details over the doors and windows to maintain that European charm.

Hygiene Center in Sačurov

LDS Charities is committed to lifting burdens and providing hope in one more Roma village. 

Over 700 residents call Sačurov home. It is said to be one of the worst Roma villages in the region with few utilities. A outdoor hand pump is located several meters away as their only water source. 

Every day, hundreds of small children play outside and most spend hours among filth and trash in the streets. Roma kids are dirty, stinky, unkempt, and carriers of head lice. Diseases can spread from one person to another because they lack

regular hygiene practices.

With limited opportunities, the community 

center is working closely with children who have the support of their parents to teach and practice habits that prevent the spread of diseases and infections. The children are encouraged to come to the community center where they can use the toilet and wash their hands. They are also taught to brush their teeth.

A permanent hygiene center was approved and with the mayor, the project is moving forward. Sometime next year we hope showers and toilets are complete for families to properly bathe and clean themselves. This will be an improvement overall for the health and wellness of so many residents.

His hope is to encourage the Roma men to help construct the new structure. The mayor took this proposal to the village council for approval, funding, and permits.  

This project is awaiting permits and our replacement couple will ensure the completion of the project to meet the agreed upon measurable outcomes and objectives.

It's All About Leaves

For a couple of precious weeks in October, Slovakia is bursting with ruby, amber, and gold. Autumn leaves are at their peak.

One of the things that makes Slovakia so great is the natural beauty of the seasons. 

All around us, the trees are changing color and leaves are falling to the ground. I can't help but notice the brilliant displays of golden yellow. 

Autumn is a second spring, where every leaf is a flower.

Some trees have not begun to turn but these cherry trees are spectacular colors.

The best of Autumn is all around us. 

One of the best ways to enjoy nature is a brief hike through the scenic wooded forest.

Sometimes, you just gotta get out and take it all in. October is my favorite color.

A spectacular fall foliage experience for sure!

It Happens Every 9 Weeks

Missionaries, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, number about 67,000 and serve in 421 missions world wide.

The Elders volunteer to serve full-time for 24 months while Sisters for 18. Some arrive soon after high school graduation and pay a stipend to help cover mission expenses. They leave the comforts of home to dedicate themselves to "the best two years of their life" sharing the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Missionaries are transferred around the mission every few months to live and serve with new companions in new areas. In our mission, transfers happen every nine weeks. Usually, this occurrence sends one packing while the other stays behind to welcome another companion. Transfers are necessary to provide blessings and new opportunities for growth in these young men and women.

With each transfer, the rotation continues, new excited "greenies" arrive from the MTC and effective and experienced missionaries return home to their families who are eager to receive them.

We love to be included with them and have watched them grow as they live away from home, act in faith, and develop Christ-like attributes.

We've watched these great young missionaries go out into freezing winter nights, sprint to catch the last train, struggle with the Slovak language, face rejection over and over, look into an empty refrigerator, step into holey and worn out shoes, but most of all, they are happy to do it. They lose themselves to a greater case.

Missions can change everything. Missionaries return home steeped in new cultural appreciation, groomed for higher callings, and feel undeniable love and concern for the people of whom they serve. They look back with greater faith and love for their Savior and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. They commit to follow Him and keep His commandments. We are proud to serve alongside them and to be part of their journey filled with struggles as well as joyful experiences.

These are the fine missionaries of the Košice District. 

May 27 - July 17, 2017 

Elder Harp & Elder Cragan in Košice

Elder Hammer & Elder Mueller(DL)in Prešov

 Sister McDonald & Sister van Langeveld in Košice

July 17 - August 9, 2017

Elder Smith & Elder Harp in Košice

Sister McDonald & Sister Spencer in Košice

Elder Mueller & Elder Hammer(DL) in Prešov

August 9 - September 18, 2017

Sister Spencer & Sister McDonald in Košice

Elder Hammer (DL) & Elder Johnson in Prešov

Elder Smith & Elder Harp in Košice

September 18 - November 20, 2017

Elder Jackson & Elder Smith in Košice

 Sister Agnew & Sister McDonald in Košice 

Elder Akina & Elder Hammer(DL)in Prešov

November 20 - January 22, 2018

Elder Katrnak & Elder Jackson in Košice 

Sister Brown & Sister Agnew in Košice

Elder Johnson(DL) & Elder Akina in Prešov

January 22 - March 26, 2018

Elder Brennan & Elder Katrnak(DL)in Košice

Sister Agnew & Sister Stratton in Košice

Elder Akina & Elder Klabaska in Prešov

March 26 - May 28, 2018

Elder McCallister & Elder Rasmussen in Spišská Nova Ves 

Elder Brennan & Elder Katrnak in Košice

Elder Klabaska & Elder Fuqua(DL)in Prešov

Sister Pulley & Sister Stratton in Košice

May 28 - July 30, 2018

Elder Goddard & Elder McCallister in Spišská Nova Ves
 Elder Graff(DL) & Elder Klabaska in Prešov
 Elder Papenfuss & Elder Brennen in Košice Sister Pulley & Sister Likes in Košice

July 30 - October 1, 2018

 Sister Sawyer & Sister Likes in Košice
Elder Webb & Elder Papenfuss in Kosice
 Elder McQuivey & Elder Graff(DL)in Prešov
Elder McCallister & Elder Barton in Spišská Nova Ves

October 1 - November 15, 2018
Elder McCallister & Elder Barton in Spišska Nová Ves
Elder Papenfuss & Elder Nelson (DL) in Košice
Sister Likes & Sister Payne in Košice
Elder McQuivey & Elder Aillery in Prešov

More Than Just Apples

Slovakia roadways are often lined with apple trees, and this time of year the apples are sweet, crisp, and ripe. 

The apple is so versatile and healthy, it pains me to pass by so many loaded apple trees wasting perfectly good fruit decaying away on the ground. 

We have been picking and eating free tree-ripe apples everyday for at least the last month now. And they are simply delicious and sweet. Apples never tasted so good right off the tree!

Beyond snacking and apple pie, there are so many ways to enjoy apples like this rustic apple galette. Our kitchen has been filled with the sweet aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg and apples. I'm loving it! It makes something to come home to.

One day, after baking up some delicious apple pastry puffs, I wrapped some to take to my new friend, Maria who owns the notions shop down the street. She was more than delighted to be the recipient of such baked goodness, she gave me two free zippers.

But this week, we joined some young men and women at a backyard orchard to pick a couple bushels of apples and pears. 

After washing them we quartered them and placed them in the juicer to create apple cider. It was amazingly fresh, bold, and delicious and even better mixed with pears.

The orchard belongs to a man who missionaries are sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is an opportunity to help harvest his apple trees and make good use of the fruit.

We brought home several kilograms of apples and made our family favorite, brown bag apple pie. We also cut apples for our morning oatmeal. 

Celebrate autumn by finding some cozy flavors to warm up to. Apples are delicious any time of the year. What apple creation will you pull out of your oven?