"First of all, a very big thank you to all those individuals who participated in the clothing drive for the community of Nyírkátá, Hungary.On February 20, 2010 we finally managed to deliver the 1.5 tons of winter clothing and household goods which we collected for the village throughout the month of January. The collection included winter coats and clothing, children's clothes and shoes, two single beds with mattresses, household appliances (mini tv, phones, etc.) and some food.
After a three hour drive to Nyírkátá, we met with our contact in the community, Jóni Gáborné Erzsébet, who was waiting for us along with three other families, there to help unpack the clothes from the van. A reporter from Reuters and I then spent the afternoon with them. Later that weekend, they went through the donations, distributing them to those in the community who could use them most.
(For the next time, I am considering also planning a group trip to visit and meet with the local community. Anyone interested in that or with a vision of how they see such a meeting best taking place, please get in touch with me about it.)
Although it was overall a very positive action, with people coming to thank us for the attention and care given to their community, there were some who were disappointed in what they received: They had hoped for more. Of course, the most disappointing part of any effort like this is that, whatever you do, it will never be enough to fill the gap that exists. However, having contributed in our small way has brought some personal connection, some needed items, plus attention and, hopefully, encouragement to that community.
In January, Erzsébet Jóni also appeared in the Budapest media, sharing the story about how her community is (still) being denied access to their social benefits.
You can see her interview with TV2's Mokka at this link
Links to some other reports that came out in January about the situation in Nyirkata include:
http://index.hu/belfold/2010/01/11/nem_fizetik_ki_a_segelyeket
http://nol.hu/belfold/20100111-ha_nincs_segelycsomag__ehen_haltak_volna
Along with the immense gratitude to everyone who helped make this drive so successful, (especially those who came to load the van at 8 am on a Saturday morning!)
Special thanks also goes to individuals who offered support through their businesses too:
Treehugger Dan's and Yellow Zebra Bikes (who said that they collected more clothes in this drive then any one before it! WOW!)
Magyar Maltai Szeretetszolgalat (who helped organize the van)
Csiga Kávézó (collections)
CEU Human Rights Student Initiative (collections)
CEU Student Union (collections)
Budapest Times (promotion)
Xpatloop.com (promotion)
I didn't manage to take that many pictures of the drive, however, I hereby attach the few I have taken of
Joni Erzsebet, her brother, her family and some of the neighbors whose homes we visited.
On behalf of myself and the Roma Polgárjogi Alapítvány, I thank you all, once again, for your kind, open, generous donations to the village of Nyírkátá, Hungary."
Sincerely,
Esther Holbrook
16.03.2010