BAGS OF EDUCATION

We were pleased to welcome Simon Streeter, General Manager, of Door of Hope, to our Zoom meeting on Tuesday 23 March 2021.

The core of this charity is unlocking the potential in people who face injustice and have no way of escaping it. Working in Eastern Europe, Door of Hope covers the areas of Education, Social Care and Human Trafficking. Simon talked about the history of the charity and its work, but the main topic was their new project ‘Bags of Education’.

Door of Hope was started in 1947 by Harlan Popov originally to support Christian’s imprisoned for their faith, our work has increased not only in the number of projects we support but also the countries. Eastern Europe has changed enormously in the last two decades, but many people’s lives are still stuck in a medieval era. Day to day developments have passed them by, people with no education or support mechanisms, beaten down by the hard labour and work they must undertake just to exist. A reality where children of gypsy birth are still discriminated against and where teachers actively discourage them in attending school.  Places where a wash is waiting until the summer to go down to the river with your children to bathe. People who are imprisoned for their crimes which are often driven by utter despair and poverty and where corruption is so rife that if you can’t pay your way out then they throw-away the key.

Door of Hope runs support projects in Bulgaria and Ukraine. Many children and adults have no birth certificates, and without documentation have no access to schools, education or legitimate jobs. To get the correct documentation can cost anything from £10 to £200 pounds. Even when children can attend school, their impoverished parents are expected to provide all the necessary stationery items. Which is why Bags of Education was started. The project began in 2019 and with the help of schools and other voluntary groups, 500 bags have been sent to Ukraine. For more information go to https://doorofhope.co.uk/bags-of-education

Some of the stories Simon told about the suffering of adults and children, were heart-wrenching.

On behalf of the Club, member Ian Wesson said  “Thank you  Simon for a most illuminating presentation.I had not heard of Door of Hope before and it is so impressive to see what you are doing. You mentioned documentation, and I know gypsies don’t like to be registered, but it is better to get people on side for their own good. Your people on the ground are doing amazing work. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. It is an eye-opener."

A £100 donation is being sent to Door of Hope for their Bags of Education project.