Hope and Aid Direct Registered UK Charity No. 1077146    The humanitarian aid charity that takes aid, not sides

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Hope and Aid Direct Winter Convoy of Humanitarian Aid 2007

2nd October 2007  - THEY HAVE ARRIVED

Doreen writes: Following an early start the convoy set off through Serbia via Belgrade towards the Kosovan border crossing. We got to Kosovo Hotel Palace at about 7pm. The Serbian Embassy helped us have a smooth journey through the borders and we got free passage on the Serbian motorways. The staff at the toll booths were very helpful and efficient. The sun was shining so we got very hot in the cabs but we had wonderful views of the scenery.

We have met up with Bernie, Roger, Coxy and Maggie and now await the flying crew who arrive tomorrow. Everyone is very tired, have had a meal and not too many beers tonight! Now off to bed.

THE BAKERY PROJECT
News from Kevin Barke (The Baker) and Paul Spencer-Mathews

After Kevin Barke was despatched to Malawi to try to sort the customs problems with importing the mobile bakery he was able to report that everything has been cleared and is now in the bakery but there are still major challenges to overcome.

Update from Roger & Bernie.  (Warehouse Day 4)
Because of safety concerns, we have now decided to return to a warehouse that we have used before on the road towards Merdare but not too far from Mitrovica, and have also located a secondary warehouse for the aid that our 5 4x4 pickups will take each day to remote mountain villages. It is just 400 m from our hotel and is in a new office block just being built. The workers were due to lay ceramic floor tiles over the whole area tomorrow, but when we went to them with the superb hotel staff to interpret what we wanted, they agreed to allow us to have the whole ground floor for the week free of charge, saying that it is the least that we can do as you are doing so much for Kosovo. Our great contact that we made yesterday at the French KFOR base has turned out to be Lt Col Jean Francois Brun, a reservist who is Director of History at St Etienne University. He took us to an outlying district where his men are restoring a health centre which a touring doctor will visit when he finishes it. He wants us to work with French KFOR who regularly distribute aid to very poor families in the mountains. He says that for the next 2 months it will be heavy rain and then for the rest of the winter snow. The children have to walk to school and have very poor footware. He says it is impossible for them to work at school with cold and wet feet all day. If he had good shoes, he would take them and fit them to match childrens feet, He can do this as they can do it steadily over many weeks. He wants HAD to set up joint venture and will send monthly or weekly reports so we know all is done properly. I think it is a great idea and we will certainly be discussing it when we get back.

1st October 2007
After yesterdays problems today was a day to try and catch up a bit, but with the border crossing into Serbia that was going to be hard to acheive. The paperwork at the border tends to be painfully slow but today maybe not a record but a very presentable four hours to clear customs. Hotdog seems to be going ok again after its breakdown and the now fully formed convoy is planning a well earned break at a hotel in Novi Sad. Opportunity for a shower, a meal and a bed for the night.

UPDATE 30th September 2007
Anthony, the convoys mechanical guardian angel has managed to repair the wheel bearing at last. The convoy is now back on the road again at 20.00. Obviously the delay will have played havoc with the schedule but breakdowns are always a risk when covering the large number of miles. Let's hope that the rest of the trip goes without incident. After a relatively short drive the convoy bedded down for the night just over the Hungarian border at Gyor.

30th September 2007
Stopped near Vienna with a breakdown. Hotdog's wheel bearing has failed and is not going anywhere till it is repaired. The convoy spent the night just into Austria and in fine weather with beautiful views of the Alps is heading across towards Hungary. Unfortunately at about midday one of the 7.5 tonne trucks suffered a wheel bearing failure close to Vienna. All the convoy has pulled over to deal with the problem. It's always difficult when trying to get repairs on a Sunday. Back in the UK the truck company's breakdown service was called and luckily they say that they are able to deal with international breakdowns so they are now in touch with the convoy.

Update from Roger & Bernie. (Warehouse Day 3)

Work is progressing with plans for the warehouse. A minor task was performed on a wayward tractor in passing today.

We are also tackling a quite important logistical issue and will report when resolved.

We needed to visit the French KFOR base, picture alongside, and the Morrocan gate officer insisted on giving us his personal lunch. It was so good we needed to go back later in the day and he gave us his pudding!!!


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