At the end of November, in Marin-Epagnier/NE and Winterthur, a railcar was loaded with 3,302 Christmas packages by volunteers of the Adventist Development and Disaster Relief Agency (ADRA) Switzerland. The railcar full of parcels was destined for disadvantaged children in Moldova. Children and parents, local ADRA groups, church communities all over the country, and a Kiwanis Club participated in the Christmas parcel drive "Pack es Päckli". In addition, 101 boxes and sacks of clothes or toys were loaded on, which will also be given to families.
"We are very pleased that many ADRA locations were able to collect significantly more Päckli this year," explains Monika Stirnimann, head of the Päckli campaign for ADRA Switzerland.
Päckli for orphans, disabled children, impoverished families
According to ADRA, the packages from Switzerland have been distributed, since 2009, by the partner organization, ADRA Moldova, in the capital city of Chisinau as well as throughout the country. Children in orphanages, disabled children, impoverished families, and a women's prison will receive the Christmas packages. Whoever wants a package must contact the relief organization via social services, schools, associations, or the network of ADRA Moldova, which will then make the selection. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe and lies between Romania and the Ukraine.
Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 6th and 7th. On the homepage of ADRA Switzerland (www.adra.ch) as well as on the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ADRA.Schweiz/), there are reports following the distribution:
Sponsors
The company, "TTS Transport & Terminal Services AG", in Buchs/SG, which organized the transport, along with "SBB Cargo", "Rail Cargo Austria" and "Hungary GYSEV Cargo" finance the freight costs. The aid organization only has to pay for the transport costs through Romania and for the distribution in Moldova, said Monika Stirnimann.
"We are happy that we can once again put a smile on the faces of more than 3,300 children at Christmas and say ‘THANK YOU’ to all those who helped with this campaign," ADRA Switzerland wrote.
The original article was published on this web site.
