Name: Maria Cacioppo   Occupation: Teacher   Location: London

"I work in London at a Pupil Referral Unit and first went to Baia Mare in 1994. It was on that first trip that I decided that I would return and work at the orphanage for children with special needs. I got involved with several projects in the county of Maramures and returned to Britain in 1998. The Maramures Young People's Trust is a committed charity because it's members have first hand experience of working in the county from a humanitarian stand point"

Name: Dil Caddick   Occupation: Local Government Officer   Location: S. Wales

"I made my first visit to Baia Mare in the Summer of 1993 as part of a UK team of volunteers to build playground equipment in two of the towns orphanages. I've been involved ever since, returning to the town every summer, as well as spending numerous Christmasses and New Years there. For a few years I helped organize the recruitment of British teachers for the Project's very successful annual 'Fun with English' Camps. I taught at these English Camps that were held for the towns schooling population aged from 8-18, which were always great fun over a seven year period. Currently, working in the graphic design studio of a local authority, I'm involved in the design and production of the MYPT's promotional material and the webmaster"

Name: Andy Cartwright   Occupation: Research Fellow   Location: Budapest

"I went to Romania at the same time as Anna-Marie Zaritsky and, like her, it made a great impression on me. I taught on English camps and got more involved with the aid work that was going on. I helped organize some of the winter and summer camps and later, the work going on at the Workshop. I did a PhD about Romania, which gave me a good chance to see more of the country and to get to know it's past. I joined MYPT because I wanted to keep in touch with other people who had been out to Baia Mare so that together we could support those we knew out there who were working their socks off to give poorer kids a break"

Name: Tim Harris   Occupation: IT Manager   Location: London

"I first got involved with the charity in 1994 when I went out to Baia Mare in the summer to teach on the 'Fun with English' camp. Whilst there I was also able to see the other types of work that they were doing with orphans there. I returned over the following years to teach on the summer camps, and saw how the work done made a real difference in the quality of life and the future for the kids. I've been lucky to remain in touch with the other people on this page and in 2003 I was asked to join as a Trustee"

Name: Sam Lycett   Occupation: Infant School Teacher   Location: Budapest

"I first went to Romania in 1992 to take part in a sponsored cycle ride. During this ten day trip I discovered a beautiful country with warm hospitable people. I also visited my
first orphanage and saw first hand the desperate needs of the country’s orphans. I returned six months later to deliver aid. After several more visits I decided to become a full-time volunteer. In my first year, I worked as a carer in an orphanage on the outskirts of Baia Mare. I then went onto work for the Romania Dental Link Foundation as a project manager. During my years spent living in Romania I realised the need for support for children leaving orphanages which led me to become a trustee for MYPT. By offering work, I believe the charity gives disadvantaged young people a real chance to take care of themselves"

Name: Liliana Marcean   Occupation: Staff Nurse   Location: Dublin

"During the mid 1990s when I was living in my native town of Baia Mare, I had the opportunity to work with a few charities: including the Romania Dental Link Foundation, Baia Mare Ostomy Association, Baia Mare Project, Hope & Homes for Children and the MYPT. I admire the MYPT's work towards underprivileged young people of Maramures county by encouraging and teaching them to utilise their skills and to become more independent. In other words: 'Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime' (Laotzu - Chinese Taoist Philosopher)"

Name: Anne-Marie Zaritsky   Occupation: Charity Manager    Location: London

"I first visited Romania in December 1992 to teach English on a two week 'Fun with English' camp. I fell completely in love with the people, the culture and the idea of being able to make a difference. So much so that in November 1994 I gave up my job in the City to work in Baia Mare full-time. My role there involved running the 'Fun with English' Camps, teaching in an orphanage and taking on the accounts, administration and pastoral support of the Baia Mare Project. I am now the Treasurer for the MYPT"