Worthing church groups' bid to help Romanian youngsters

But a group of kind-hearted teenagers in Worthing are hoping they can make a difference.

Members of the youth group at St Matthew's Church in Tarring Road are preparing to embark on a mission this summer to Romania to help make a difference to the lives of children living in and around the village of Cluj.

Ravi Sangra, youth worker at the church, said: "We are looking forward to making a difference. There is so much poverty out there I think it is going to be a real eye-opener to some of our children '“ it will really take them out of their comfort zone.

"A big piece of the work we do is about the youth learning, but this is also about helping people out there."

Ravi and the church decided Cluj would be an ideal location for a mission after a parishioner revealed she knew the minister of a church near there.

The youth group members: Dan Bravo, Simon Wimble, Juliet James, Tim Rackham, Emily Montagu, Ellie Brown and Elliott McIvor, along with Ravi and volunteer Louise Purser, will head off on August 4.

Once they are out there, the aim is to run workshops for the children, including sport, art, music and drama, take them on day trips and deliver food parcels to villagers. The activities will have a Christian theme and there will be bible stories told as well.

Dan, who will celebrate his 14th birthday the day they fly out, said: "I am looking forward to trying to make a difference. I am also excited as I have never been on a plane before."

Tim said: "I am looking forward to getting involved with the community out there."

And Simon, 15, added: "It is really exciting. The biggest shock I think is going to be the culture difference. It is going to be so different to what we are used to."

The group is busy raising money to fund the 4,500 trip and to enable them to buy equipment for the Romanian children, including notebooks, pens and sports equipment, once they are out there.

According to Ravi, each member has been set with a challenge to raise money for themselves and many fund-raising events have been organised.

A recent slave auction raised a fantastic 1,700 and there was a table top sale at the church on Saturday. Other events are also planned.

Juliet James, 16, said: "It would be great if people could support us and help raise money. "

Elliott, 16, said: "I have been a member of the youth group since I was very little. I am really into sport, so I am looking forward to helping with the sport workshop."

St Matthew's Church hopes this will mark the start of new links with the church in Romania.

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