How does this little car sum up 10 years of change?
Over at Totem (where I have my "job") we have the absolute privilege of supporting charities nationally and internationally. Last week we jumped on a plane to meet the staff at one of our partner charities – Community Action Romania – and to see their work first hand.
We got to hit the road with the Community Action Romania team delivering food parcels, medical supplies, educational materials and just good ‘ol fashioned, wholesome companionship to the very poorest and most marginalised people in and around the village of Cărand and the Sebiș Basin.
Totem’s connection to Romania is a story worthy of a beer in itself, but it’s been more than 10 years since we last visited this incredible country and a lot has changed. It’s still a breathtakingly beautiful country and the Carpathian mountains are still a stunning spectacle.
10 years of dedicated infrastructure investment both internal and foreign, as well as EU support has not only transformed the landscape of the country (often for the better), and lifted many out of poverty but it also seems to have shifted the whole vibe of a nation?
There seems to be hope in the air and hopefulness in the eyes of the people you meet. We spoke to people who were discovering a pride in their nation too, some for the first time. Out of all the things from our trip to leave an impression, it’s this that we’d like to share the most.
It’s difficult to put into words really, but we came across a little car next to a children’s park in the centre of a nearby town. 10 years ago the park wasn’t there, the buildings nearby still had bullet holes in them (remnants of the revolution) and the car or one like it, was rusty and leaking oil all over the floor.
But now you can hear the sound of children playing, the bullet holes have been repaired and the car is brightly painted, filled with spring flowers. That little car seems to express quite neatly the change that has taken place since our last visit.
That sense of hope was intoxicating, infectious and a joy to be near. Reflecting on the way home, we discussed the very real belief that we haven’t felt that kind of hope for a long time. A picture of this little car now sits proudly on a few desks at Totem Towers, reminding us of the hope that was shared with us and that we can share that hope with others too.
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