Jewish charity's roadtrip to Moldova

8:21am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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Think of classic road trips and the American highway Route 66 in an open topped Cadillac comes to mind - not the pot-holed roads of Moldova in a van.

Nonetheless, last Sunday a convoy of 11 volunteers set off for the eastern European state, hoping to do their part to help isolated Jewish communities.

Through the charity World Jewish Relief (WJR), the group will drive to Moldova to distribute humanitarian aid and then donate the vans.

Each volunteer - six from Barnet borough - raised at least £5,000 before the trip.

For Daniel Drukarz, 47, of Cheyne Walk, Hendon, the expedition holds a personal resonance.

His parents escaped Nazi Germany before the outbreak of World War Two, when they were brought to the UK by the Kindertransport rescue mission.

He said: "My parents were given an opportunity in this country because of an organisation like WJR.

"There's a real parallel between the way they were provided with a safe haven and welfare in this country and the way WJR can provide real, solid help on the ground in other countries."

According to WJR, many Jews in Moldova live in remote villages, unable to access services, particularly healthcare.

"These are communities that have suffered a great deal over the years," said Mr Drukarz. "They don't have the community infrastructure or support to ensure that their quality of life is sufficient."

Mother-of-four Sarah Emanuel-Holder, of Monkville Avenue, Hendon, will be doing the trip for the third time.

She said: "To help people who are living in dire poverty is so important.

"But it's also about the camaraderie of the trip and meeting people in the community you're helping. You don't want gratitude - although you do get it - but when you meet the community you see the difference it makes."