Tim W and Sue K are both HHN members and when they met at our Special General Meeting in February, they clicked! Congratulations on your wedding on 9th September, Tim and Sue. It's nice to know that HHN's therapeutic effect includes love matching.
Activities again have to be held over during November, December and January, as there are not enough volunteer practitioners to make a full team willing to go out at that time.
HHN's operations began in early 1997 when Vicki P and John H started the first teams. The weather was cold - early mornings were often bright and clear with temperatures of -15C, but it was not as unpleasant as it can be in the U.K. Snow can be a problem, particularly when considering the travel to our Outreach beneficiaries, but rebuilding in Sarajevo is carrying on apace, and no doubt the snow clearance - which had to be abandoned during and in the aftermath of the siege - will be a priority this winter so that the programme is held up as little as possible. Some folks actually like the cold weather!
Robert H. is one of HHN's most enthusiastic and hardworking supporters and has taken on the role of Area Group Co-ordinator for the whole of Scotland! Tall order for Robert, which is much appreciated by
those Scotland-based HHN members who have felt somewhat isolated. Robert has also had articles published nationally in Scotland, which have resulted in yet more supporter and volunteer members. As our membership in the region grows, Robert will need to split his area, so anyone who enjoys organizing get-togethers, fund-raising and awareness raising, please let Robert know.
Robert's beautifully expressed reports on his first tour of duty in Sarajevo are now much quoted. He travelled to Birmingham for the General Meeting to talk about his experiences, nd the work he has been doing for HHN.
Colin P, gave a truly fascinating talk about Karmic healing at the General Meeting. He has been involved in healing for over 25 years. Colin, who is also a counsellor, qualified with the College of Healing, working full time at his practice and throughout the U.K.
His work has led him in recent years to working with unseen energies in space clearing, house clearance and karmic healing.
Jean W was able to accept an invitation to attend a working lunch with the Trauma After Care Trust (TACT). This followed meetings, letters and 'phone conversations over the last six months between HHN and TACT to try to establish a co-operative effort between our organisations to relieve the PTSD of Gulf War veterans and their families. TACT is a charity set up seven years ago by Wendy and Doug M of Gloucestershire following Doug's horrendous experiences in Cambodia, which made them both aware of the long-term effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. The Trust's declaration is to increase the awareness of the existence of PTSD and its effects on the sufferer and the sufferer's family; to provide a contact point and referral network for the counselling and treatment of sufferers and to sponsor and encourage research into the causes and effects of PTSD.
TACT and a number of HHN practitioners representing relevant qualifications will hold a meeting in January 1999 to fully explore this link.
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"If you or anyone in Healing Hands Network ever feels in any doubt about the work you're doing in Sarajevo, please get in touch with me. 1 have seen such an amazing difference in the RTI beneficiaries you've been treating here in the last four months. I want you to know how much credibility HHN really has here."
Stephanie P, who until April this year was working with Refugee Trust Ireland in the worst hit suburbs of Sarajevo, spoke these words to Vicki P. Stephanie - a New Zealander has now adopted this city for the foreseeable future. She helped HHN to restart its activities here, and was very keen that we should work among the RTI beneficiaries. She takes a genuine interest and calls in regularly to see us. Vicki saw that 'difference' for herself on her most recent tour of duty. The refugees (and some non-refugees) of Ilidza, Stup, Blajui, Hrasno and Hrasnica are demonstrably further along the road to recovery than they were four months ago. Some have now been able to extend the period of time between their treatments. Others will need ongoing therapy for some time to come.
However, to see mobility restored in people who were told by the medical profession that they may never walk again; goitres reduced after two healing treatments and a TB sufferer's pain diminish; hear people say that they are sleeping without nightmares and see the expressions of joy on the faces of those who open their homes to our HHN teams really brings home that we do make a difference.
We take ourselves, our love and our healing talents. Material help is still being given by other aid agencies, including RTI, but there are several small but vital needs, which we can supply:
All of the above could be collected and made available at A & P Days, Area Group meetings etc. to distribute to outward-bound members to pack into their luggage.
If you decide to collect any of the above, PLEASE let Sandra G know, as we do not want to over pester manufacturers and suppliers, nor have a transportation problem again.
Among the beneficiaries HHN volunteers, Paul C and Caroline C, have been giving their healing talents to "E" during their recent tour of duty. Now in her 70's, "E" is an amazingly brave woman. As a young woman in the 1940s she fought with Tito's partisans to repel the Nazi attempts to take Yugoslavia. During this time she was shot and has suffered continual pain ever since. This is the least of her problems.
More than 40 years ago, she was 'rewarded' for her heroism and given a single room in a high rise apartment block. Promises to move her to better accommodation are still made, but there she has remained. She has no running water or electricity.
Refugee Trust Ireland asked HHN to take on "E", as well as others, and our volunteers have become a lifeline to her in more senses than one. There will be no miracle cures for "E"'s physical symptoms, but we are helping keep her body mobile and her spirit connected.
Reiki Master / Teacher Alan S has offered free board and healing to Bosnian victims of this most terrible conflict. It would be wonderful if we could raise the airfare and travel costs to Kent for "E" and others in similar need to take advantage of this offer.
The delays have been frustrating. Most notably the months taken from completion of the first years' accounts to approval by the auditors - if you are in business, you know how long it can take. However, Jean W and Beverley D are now extremely busy sending our details to trusts and funding bodies, and already we have received cheques for a total of £1,500 from The Mary Webb Trust and The Walter Guinness Charitable Trust. Jean now heads a fundraising sub-committee with Jane E, Sue F and Mari S. They are organising fundraising events in the area. The first being a coffee morning with therapy samplers, goodies for sale and a stand for HHN. The fundraising team will build up a profile of the events they run to be sent to area group co-ordinators to arrange similar events in their areas.
However, YOU have ideas, and many members arrange ongoing fundraising not only for their overseas trips, but to help with the ever-increasing costs of running a charity. Please let Sandra G know of ideas, results and forthcoming events in your area.
These are now available at £3 each. They are very attractive, enamelled, with the HHN dove/hands logo and wording in gold and turquoise on a white background. They will make a beautiful addition to your professional badges on your work wear and a good talking point on any other garment. We want you to promote HHN and wear the badge with pride. If you wish to place orders please contact Healing Hands Network on Email sandrag@healinghn.freeserve.co.uk.
When funds allow, we will be getting polo shirts with the HHN logo. We'll keep you posted.
Barbara N has produced a large cloth for anyone who wishes to make their mark for HHN to sign and contribute £1 to funds for each signature. Barbara then embroiders over the signatures.
She hopes the sheet will travel from the North West to each area in the country where someone will take over the collection of signatures and embroidery. The hope is that when the sheet is full we will hang it in the first HHN Clinic, which we are aiming for in Sarajevo. It is bright ideas like this which help raise awareness as well as funds for HHN. Thank you Barbara.
WE STILL NEED A PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER!
If you can't help please put up a prayer for us..
Honorary Secretary.
Terry M has given advance notice that he will not offer his services at the next AGM, as he has taken on other work. Therefore, we will also need to replace him. Anyone out there with a slightly legal bent who could devote an hour or two a week to HHN business?
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE NOW HAVE AN EDITOR FOR THE NEWSLETTER!
Thanks to Robert's efforts in Scotland, one of his group, Eleanor H, has volunteered her services as editor for the newsletter.
Also, please remember - If you have an issue you want to raise with the Executive, please write or speak to the Honorary Membership Member, Margaret K.
Constructive criticism is always welcome. HHN is a democratic charity run by its members, and the Executive cannot be expected to know what concerns members unless they tell us. Can we also remind everyone that the Executive is voluntary, unpaid and working in their spare time. Expectations from some members would be difficult to meet if we were paid and working full time.
Then please Email us on sandrag@healinghn.freeserve.co.uk.