MYPT - The Maramures Young People's Trust

Hope & Homes for Children (H&HC) work with local authorities in Maramures to bring in alternative ways of looking after children than the big orphanages of the past. A number of large state orphanages have been closed in the county during the past few years. In their place, the local Child Protection Agencies, H&HC and the local authorities have brought in various measures to help children. There are foster and respite care schemes; proper local adoption programmes; and in place of the orphanages, small family style homes that can take up to ten children. These new homes often have children with greater needs that need special attention. A selection of images showing some of H&HC homes in Romania and the furniture produced/installed by the Workshop can be seen on this site's pages, especially the Gallery page.

The BMP Workshop Project, located just outside Baia Mare, is the main work placement scheme supported by the MYPT. It has been running since 1993 and has provided opportunities for more than 30 young people to learn woodworking skills. The Workshop operates as a registered non-profit business, employing young people from a range of backgrounds: orphanages, special needs schools and poorer families. All receive a good wage, help in finding/financing accommodation and general support in learning to be independent.

Hope & Homes for Children (H&HC) work with local authorities in Maramures to bring in alternative ways of looking after children than the big orphanages of the past. A number of large state orphanages have been closed in the county during the past few years. In their place, the local Child Protection Agencies, H&HC and the local authorities have brought in various measures to help children. There are foster and respite care schemes; proper local adoption programmes; and in place of the orphanages, small family style homes that can take up to ten children. These new homes often have children with greater needs that need special attention. A selection of images showing some of H&HC homes in Romania and the furniture produced/installed by the Workshop can be seen on this site's pages, especially the Gallery page.		Bedroom furniture at a H&HC home that was produced by the Workshop
As a charity, MYPT is committed to providing practical support to the BMP Workshop project. Where we can we promote their work; purchase new machinery; help in the costs of replacing old and broken equipment; and look to ways of investing in its future. For more on this please see the About and News pages. 2004 PROJECT: In May, volunteers travelled from the UK and Hungary to help on a building project at the Workshop. The main works included: new drainage to allow vehicle access into the Workshop site; insulating the walls & roofspace of the original building and installing a woodburning heating system to allow winter working; fitting security grills to all windows; installing two new windows in the original building to allow more light for working; constructing a wooden boundary fence and gates to make the site more secure; laying a level concrete area for summer working and/or parking; and laying flooring in the loft area of the building constructed in 2001 to allow extra storage. Selected images of this project can be seen on the Gallery page. So far, the Workshop has made the beds, lockers, wardrobes, fitted-kitchens and many other pieces of furniture for over 30 H&HC family homes that have opened in Maramures. This approach to childcare reform has become a model for the rest of Romania and H&HC are expanding their reforms to other counties. They have assured us that the furniture in all new homes built in Romania will come from the Workshop. This is currently happening and selected images from new homes in Alba county can be seen below with more on the Gallery page (Workshop section). Thank you H&HC for your continued support of the Workshop project. Back to top Below are some images showing a recent MYPT sponsored project for the Workshop to produce new furniture at a local poor school. The entire school had it's old and dangerous furniture replaced that resulted in a very happy headmistress, staff and pupils. Also below are a small number of images from the new H&HC homes in Alba county where the Workshop produced and installed the furniture. Further images of both projects can be viewed on the Gallery page (Workshop section).

The 'school on the hill' close to the Workshop couldn't afford to replace the old and dangerous furniture it their classrooms. It was considered to ask the parents for contributions but was decided against as the school is located in quite a poor area.		MYPT decided to sponsor the Workshop to produce new furniture for the entire school.Over 60 new desks and chairs were provided and has made such a huge moral-boosting difference to the staff and pupils at the school.

The following images were taken at some of the new H&HC family homes in Alba county that recently opened. They show some of the young residents, plus the furniture produced and installed by the Workshop. Further images can be viewed on the Gallery page.





More images of these projects, and others, can be seen on the Gallery page. MYPT is constantly looking at other areas where we can help young people in Maramures. Please visit again soon for updated project news. Back to top