In 2-3 Decembre 2000, IRFF Romania helped for organizing one big conference in Brasov, Romania for 250  people active in Romanian society: Parlamentarians, NGO leaders, student leaders, religious people. During the confernce, we dedicate a special evening for NGO work: we had reports from Assembly 2000, the speech of Secretary general of UNO Kofi Anan, from WANGO conference in New York, and activities of IRFF (worldwide and in Romania).

Many of NGO leaders asked us for immediate and near future cooperation in projects. From this we choose to work with very active League of Women from Constanta (one big city in seaside of Romania); the President of this league represented Romania in WANGO Conference in New York. Together with Tatar Community and Greaque Community from Constanta, the Caravan visited 5 villages and offered Christmas gifts for 600 children from poor families. IRFF contribition was 10% of the funds. The news about caravan came in local TV and in news paper. Following is the article from news paper:

"Santa Claus Caravan"
The idea of "Santa Claus Caravan" came in the half of Novembre. It was embraced by Women League , The Association of Bussines Women"Pontus Euxin", Women Organization of Tatars and Greaque Community.

The companies that we asked for sponsors refused us politely or ignored us. Because of this, I want to thank you to all of those that made possible to have gifts and make happy 600 children from schools and kindergardens from Cochirieni, Rasova, Aliman, Independenta si Fantana Mare.

We give our thanks to IRFF Bucuresti, to ladies Semiran, Lucica,Emel, Angelica, Cherata, Mariana, Eugenia, Cristina, and to Mr. Serban, Mr. Ghiocel. Because of their efforts it was possible to make this caravan-project possible. This time the funds collected were about 20 milion lei (~1000$), and we had only two directions: Independenta-Fantana Mare  and Cochirieni-Rasova-Aliman. This can be the beginning of a new tradition. With more effort, next year "Santa Claus Caravan" can go in all the villages in Dobrogea.

Maria  Frangeti, President of League of Women Constanta.

See also the Romania - project 2000: "Implementing the Culture of Peace"

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