A postcard from Moldova
'A new toy, hat & blanket!'
'Mother is upset and the children bewildered'
'My goodness these sweets are good'
'Want a lift into Dancu?'
Talking to Agape Young Entreprenuers Club in Chisinau
4 March 2007
Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Well, it's the end of another visit to this remarkable little country, which I have not been back to for six years. It's not somewhere that would be your first choice as a holiday destination, but what it lacks in glamour is made up for by the resilience of the people you meet, who suffer so much hardship with a smile. I am not just saying this, it's genuinely true.
The objectives of the visit were achieved - I distributed your wonderful sweets, baby clothes and crayons. Despite two airlines refusing to help me with my excess baggage charges of 85 kilos, the items were given to desperately poor families and made a difference. It brought much joy to the recipients. Take a look at the four photographs - a mother in tears on her doorstep; two boys with disabilities at a home opening their tiny bags of sweets; and the baby with its new hat, toy and blanket - all courtesy of your generosity. I have countless wonderful photographs, too many to circulate, but if you do want to see more let me know and I will happily get them to you.
Kerfoot Group has taken 45 acres of land to grow Camelina and Hemp seed in a remote village called Dancu. We will provide all the seed and agronomy support, and the people will double their income under a fair trade deal that we have put together. This ultimately means a more sustainable future for local people. When the seeds are harvested in September, we will know if the experiment has worked and the scheme will be greatly expanded for 2008. The enthusiasm and commitment of the people is quite unbelievable, but then if 80 per cent of your village was living below the poverty line I guess you would grab the opportunity. They will, I am certain.
If you ask me how the country has changed in six years, I would say that in the rural areas nothing has moved on. People still survive on 50 euros a month or even less. There are simply no opportunities and is no infrastructure. In Chisinau, the capital, there is a McDonalds that only the wealthy can afford and the odd top-of-the-range Mercedes driven by the wealthy one per cent of the population. Britain opened an embassy last year and it is one of our smallest in the world with a staff of four. The people hope for better times, but the majority simply look to exist from day-to-day. I have to admit that I shed tears privately, as I did on my last visit, because this is not Africa or India, but Europe.
I never thought I would get such a response as I did to my little appeal, but it turned out to be quite amazing. Our seeds to plant are being shipped on a pallet from Leeming Bar this week and the balance of space is being made up by all the things you gave me that I could not take. Nothing has been wasted. I am going back again this year because there is so much more to be done, including some campaigning to highlight Moldova in both Westminster and Brussels, which seem to have done very little.
Please circulate this to anyone who gave you items and, if you need a speaker at an event, I am willing to travel in return for a small donation. I need to spread the word.
Thank you so much from the villagers of Dancu, and from me, for helping highlight what I call 'Europe's shameful best kept secret'.
With my best wishes
David Kerfoot
