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The partnership between Charis and St Stephen Church in Tonbridge (UK) was born out of a shared desire to work TOGETHER with the purpose of bringing Christ in practical ways to communities in Romania through charitable actions that bring hope and meet immediate needs for people in difficult situations or contexts. Beyond distance and culture, generosity and cooperation, TOGETHER have created a common language and concern: care for the vulnerable.

This year we rejoiced in the visit of our partners from St. Stephen Church in Tonbridge (UK). A group of 10 believers from the church, accompanied by their pastor, spent a week at Charis. It was the tenth visit of a group from this church in over 20 years of collaboration, during which a FRIENDSHIP BEYOND BORDERS has been cemented between us. The partnership and friendship between us has not only led to a series of practical actions, but has become a testimony that TOGETHER we are stronger and more capable of bearing witness to Christ through practical actions in the midst of communities in Romania. Once again, it has been proven that solidarity and service TOGETHER know no borders. Romanians and English worked side by side, putting resources, time, and heart into bringing a ray of light into the lives of those in need.

TOGETHER we visited the orphanage in Ineu. The children received as gifts a jacket and a hat, but also attention and affection. For them, the simple presence of people who brought them gifts and joy was a sign that they are not forgotten. Even more, some children were happy to see again members of the church from England whom they had not seen for 7–8 years.

TOGETHER WE CARE was another project through which we tried to bring comfort and support to people who no longer have a family or a home of their own and live in an institution. The visit to the Incești Home, where over 100 people live, was full of emotion. The time spent with them in the home’s church—singing, Bible verses, messages of encouragement, and prayer—filled both their hearts and ours with joy. We were glad that TOGETHER we could offer the residents personal hygiene products. Afterwards, we visited the homes in Dumbrava & Tinca, where people without families live. We donated nearly 300 cheese pastries, 10 kg of yeast needed for bread, and 300 liters of detergent and disinfectant for their houses. We also visited the village cemetery, where hundreds of crosses mark the graves of those who lived there over the years. TOGETHER we rejoiced and wept.

TOGETHER FOR HOPE THROUGH EDUCATION was another project in which we got involved at the AFTER-SCHOOL in Dumbrava. Education is the key to integration and a better future. Children from the Gypsy community discovered that someone believes in their potential and encourages them to learn and to dream. More than 70 children attend the after-school regularly each week. The children receive education as well as a hot lunch. We encouraged them in their learning process, played with them, and brought basic food and sweets for their meals.

TOGETHER our actions and projects have brought smiles, hope, and confidence. The children felt valued, while the elderly and lonely people in the homes we visited felt they were not abandoned. The partnership has once again demonstrated that when two communities unite, the results are visible and transformative.