Cherrie Mc Ilwaine
"I couldn’t open my eyes for a second to see where to run…"
The Story
In 1991 Cherrie was in Romania doing work for the . On this particular grey September morning she set off, unaware her day would soon turn to chaos and a frantic search for a friend…
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´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Ulster
Cherrie has been part of the Radio Ulster team for many years now and currently contributes to various programmes and presents her
Late Night slot. or to a past programme
A closer look...
Cherrie spoke to us about the work she carried out for the Comber Romanian Orphanage Appeal. Click the link below and see what she had to say...
(UK only)
During Cherrie's time working for the appeal she helped improve the lives of many orphans and adults with disabilities, something the charity still does today. Watch their "Dreams" video presentation...
(UK only)
Jenel is one of the many who have been reached by the appeal...
Jenel (34) was abandoned at birth and has lived in institutions all his life. As a result of severe neglect, Jenel spent his entire childhood in a cot and has contracted, ‘cot legs’ as a result. He ‘walks’ by shuffling on his hands and contracted legs. Comber volunteers first got to know Jenel while he lived in Gradinari orphanage in the 1990s.
Jenel moved to live in a home for the first time in his life on February 15th 2007. Click on the second photo gallery on the right to see Jenel...
Pictures in the second gallery have been provided by the .
More of your favourites...
Click on an image below to go to the Days Like This webpage of your favourite ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Ulster presenters.
Comment on Cherrie's story
Name: John Sheridan (Scottie)
Date: 04/05/2008
Comment: Tony 's point is correct. There is (and always has been) so much good to say about Romania, but whether he likes to hear it or not many of the children who lived and suffered in these orphanages are now young adults living in appalling institutions. I was both a volunteer and project co-ordinator in Gradinari orphanage in Romania for two years in the 1990's and visited Romanaia for the first time in 12 years just a few months ago. I decided not to holiday in the Carpathian mountains or visit the beautiful beaches, but instead went back to Gradinari orphanage (officially closed down) and to Bolinte Vale the the adult institution (asylum) where many of the young children from gradinari now exist. I also visited the wonderful houses built and purchased by Comber Romanian Orphanage Appeal in the past few years in Guirgu, to try and give as many of these young adults a home and a life rather than the existance they are experiencing at the moment.
Here's a good news story Tony, Of the first ten young men and women brought from that hell on earth, six have jobs and all are living and coping amazingly in semi-independant living. The second house has just been finished and twelve more young men and women will soon begin a new life. Two apartments have also just been purchased. And if your heading to the beach this summer, you might meet some of the gang down there enjoying the some rays. Romania is a beautiful country with beautiful people, but if we do not continue to highlight the plight of the young men and women in these appalling institutions because it's time to talk about something more positive for a change, then they will become a forgotten generation, and Tony, that would be too much to bear. Regards. John (Scottie)
Name: Peter Holland
Date: 02/05/2008
Comment: Yes! I would like to see not only good news but current news about Romania. Much of the news on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ is old and not appealing . One would have expected them to have a correspondent in Romania to inform us of the current situation there. What is the ´óÏó´«Ã½ for if not that. Currently I am sating a lady from Bucharest and despairingly try the ´óÏó´«Ã½ website for new news in vain. What of the ethnic Hungarian and Germans questions ? The Moldavians? etc. Is the news editor asleep on the job or is Moscow a livelier place to enjoy his freebies.
Name: Tony
Date: 19/02/2008
Comment: Do you not think it is about time that we begin to see some good news about Romania? My wife is from Brasov and working here in Belfast in a professional capacity She it totally fed up with the negative tired old stories about orphanages and Roma etc. We have been back to Romania on several occasions and sure it had it's problems back under the communists but now after joining the EU, Romania has much to offer in the way of tourism! The Carpathian mountains and forests are amazing, the medevial towns and remaining unspoilt un commercialised areas of Europe are available to explore! Why don't you have an article illustrating the positive aspects of the country now? Tony.
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