Ryalla Duffy writes about a Romanian charity that is dear to her heart we aren't surprised to know our young ones hanker after the latest designer trainers some little children have no shoes at all......so come wintertime I'd like to introduce you to some small ones who struggle to survive the cycle of extreme poverty that their families have to endure  Albesti is a small village in central Romania The Roma community here unsurprisingly are marginalised and socially excluded relegated to makeshift shanty shacks without the benefits of basic services like running water It reminds me of some of the camp grounds back here in the 1960s they are the second largest ethnic minority in the country and face the worst social stigma It's a hostile environment in more ways than one State aid is non-existent for these families and it's not uncommon to be excluded from the labour market through discrimination and lack of education or employment skills In this inhospitable environment mothers give birth to babies and so begins their battle to survive and always have a smile and a cheerful greeting for everybody for even the smallest comforts is both rare and endearing I would like to share with you Jacodu Children's Project is to break the cycle of desperate poverty through education and employment by offering places at the learning centre in the heart of the village The children can attend daily but still live and help their family at home.....family is as important to them As well as learning literacy and skills to gain future employment they are also taught how to garden and grow food to take home to their families They have a sewing room to make clothes and other saleable items as well as more traditional Roma crafts like basket making These sales help the Jacodu centre keep running They support the families staying together The centre at Albesti has a good track record it's been helping families for nearly eight years now and is well managed and run....it welcomes visitors It complements the Roma culture and traditions while fostering inclusion and enhancing life outcomes I am hoping to make the trip to Albesti next spring and celebrate my birthday with these amazing young people as well as helping in whatever way is needed It's a joy to serve an inspiring community like this When the children have completed their schooling they are further supported into finding local employment...it's a real game changer This registered charity needs help to feed these small ones through the winter they can continue with their learning and attendance at Jacodu Their joy and gratitude for something so simple makes it all worthwhile A donation of £3 will pay for a vegetable pack which the child takes home and it feeds them for a week A donation of £32 will feed a child for their entire winter I'm hoping between us we can get these little tummies filled A £15 donation buys a child a pair of trainers to walk to school I am looking at ways to support and forge links with Jacodu long term there is some small way in which we can help the children in Albesti this winter Gifting and giving are part of our Christmas festivities here.....how lovely to make it part of theirs too Please specify veg packs or shoes when donating I'm going to post details of how to donate to the charity directly here's wishing everybody a very happy Christmas To donate please follow this link.