Letter
from the Chairman
Dear friends,
2006 has been a very eventful year for CCHARM.
Islam has applied for College next year
where he would like to take 3 A levels. He cannot wait,
his thirst for knowledge is a tremendous drive. In the
meantime he has received a state of the art computer and
scanner from Ccharm that allows him to “read” and
learn many new things from the Internet.
It is a long way
since January 2005 when he was finally allowed to go to
school. He did not speak any English then. This year he
will take a GCSE in Math (last year he got only an “E”,
he wants to improve that), one in Science and one in Religious
Studies and of course the English Speaking Board exam.
You cannot imagine how rewarding it is to see him re-born
to a new life and new hope!
Early in the year the Board
of Trustees, decided to explore other means to bring help
to the Chechen. The Board decided to go to Georgia because
restrictive laws passed by the Russian Duma made it difficult
for international and domestic NGOs to work freely inside
Chechnya. We went to Georgia in May. We had the summer
to gather as much information as possible and at the end
of October we returned to the Pankisi Valley. There with
the help of a Chechen doctor and his staff who have been
working with MSF for the last 5 years, we started the clinic
project on the border with the Pankisi Valley, and a dispensary
deep inside the Pankisi itself. Since its opening in November
the CCHARM clinic has performed over 19 surgical interventions!
We
are also looking into self-sustained projects to encourage
the refugees and give them a challenge. What can I say,
we have achieved so much more than we hoped for! The Board
is very happy with the enthusiastic response from the public.
We are now able to carry out the most urgent part of our
projects and to prepare the ground for the most challenging
of them all - so far at least - to set up a safe and efficient
process for TB immunisation and treatment. We will come
back to you on this in due time!!!.
Last but by all means
not least, I would like to thank the many people without
whose generous and wholehearted support this CCHARM adventure
would never have been possible: in particular Oksana, for
her passionate drive, ideas and financial support; Anne
who has been an invaluable help and reference for Islam
in his thirst for knowledge; Daemon, for his determination
and medical contacts and organisational advice; Linda and
Jonathan for their loyal and warm support to the kids. We
are very grateful to Qamar from MDUK Media, London and Adriana
from AstudioF Milan, for their precious time and their professionalism
in making this website so succesful and users friendly. Thank
you.
Finally all
the people who have been supporting us financially…You
do not have any idea what was the reaction of the Chechens
when we arrived there armed with money and physical presence;
when Marie bought the first autoclave and electrical surgical
knife in Tbilisi just over a month ago. You have no idea
how much happiness their smile gives us, their dignified
way to say thank you…
We hope we can count on an ever
enthusiastic and bigger support from you. We take courage
and strength from the thousand young kids like Islam who
still believe there is a light out there!
The entire Board, Marie, Nick and myself wish you all the best,
May 2007
Carlo di Pamparato
Chairman
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