by JENNY MONROE

Past and present pupils of Pond Park Primary School went with their parents to Romania, to be part of a Smiles Foundation Mission Trip.

PAST and present pupils of Pond Park Primary School have spent a week in Romania as part of a Smiles Foundation Mission Trip. Mark, Chris and Nicky Acheson; Jacob, Lucy and Benjamin Mulholland along with their parents, helped make a valuable contribution to the on-going work of the Smiles Foundation - a Christian Charity working with poor Romanian and Gypsy people in northern Romania.

The local group helped package food and clothing before visiting families in the area, where they had a chance to interact with adults and play with children.

They also spent a day at a home for abused and neglected children.

Pond Park Primary teacher Geoffrey Cherry commented: "Towards the end of the week the children had the opportunity to visit Tileagd school, built and funded by the Smiles Foundation to serve Tileagd Gypsy Village. They were amazed to see a school open two days every week during the summer holidays for revision, crafts and sport.

"Although quite well resourced, they noticed many empty book shelves in the school library. Being enthusiastic readers themselves,

the children felt it would be great to use a gift of �300 from Pond Park Primary School to buy some Romanian books for the library." He added: "The children experienced a very different culture and lifestyle than the one they're

used to in Lisburn. They had the opportunity to make a difference despite their age and have all returned home determined to raise significant funds for the Smiles Foundation."

If you would like to know more about the work of the Smiles Foundation, become a 'Mission Tripper' yourself or make a donation, you can find them at www.thesmilesfoundation.org.

jenny.monroe@jpress.co.uk

Ulster Star
10/10/2008