ROMANIAN ORPHAN TO RETURN TO FAMILY OF OMAGH BOMB VICTIM
Romanian orphan to return to family of Omagh
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
The family of Omagh bomb victim, Philomena Skelton will once again care for a young Romanian orphan this summer less than
a year after the mother-of-four died in last August's atrocity.
Little Andreea Cozac (12), who has stayed with the Skelton family on two previous occasions, will return again for three weeks in July.
And this week the victim's husband, Kevin said he believed it would have been his wife's wish that he continue the compassionate work she first got involved with in the summer of 1997.
"I have no doubt that it would have been Philomena's wish that I carry on looking after little Andreea.
"It is because my wife started looking after the youngster, that I now feel I have to carry on with the work" he said.
The young Romanian is one of 22 children from the Fagaras orphanage due to arrive on 19th July. The trip is part of an annual venture undertaken by the Derry-based North West Romanian Relief Fund
Fourteen children will stay with families in the Drumquin/Dregish area, while a further eight will be looked after in Omagh.
The Skelton family, from McCrea Park in Drumquin have already begun preparations for the visit of the young orphan who they now regard as part of the family.
Fourteen-year-old Shauna Skelton, who suffered severe injuries in the Market Street blast, has kept in regular contact with her young Romanian friend throughout the past few months. And Paula (19), Ray (17) and 16-year-old Tracey are all looking forward to Andreea's short stay.
As one of the prime organisers of the trip locally, Kevin is currently busy organising a fund-raising dance due to take place later this month in Drumquin.
Those involve hope to raise enough money to cover the �400 costs involved in transporting each child, together with staff from the orphanage.
Recalling the first trip of their young East European visitor two years ago, Kevin recollected how the child immediately fitted into the family circle.
"On that first visit, she arrived with a small bag containing just a nightdress, a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste.
"Because she had come from an orphanage where she had to hide all her personal possessions, she used to carry small items of food up to her bedroom and hide them under her pillow. If someone gave her a present, it also went under the pillow.
"But last year, she had come to realise this was not necessary, and she soon began leaving things lying around the house, just like our own children."
Just weeks before last August's blast, Kevin, Philomena and their family took young Andreea on a family holiday to Co Mayo.
The youngster returned to her homeland just over two weeks prior to the Omagh atrocity.
And on 15th August last, just hours after Kevin had priced flights to travel to Romania to celebrate Andreea's birthday, he and his family were caught up in the blast.
He now plans to travel later this year along with his youngest daughter, Shauna.
"It almost broke Philomena's heart to see the child go home again, as she had become so much a part of our family.
"Andreea is a lovable child who is full of fun and life, and if it was within my power, I would keep her here.
"For someone who has come from having nothing I have never see a happier youngster" added Kevin.
Following the blast, the widower was unsure whether organisers would permit his family to care for the child this year. But after contacting those in charge of the humanitarian project he was assured the visit could go ahead.
This week he urged anyone willing to provide sponsorship for the visit to get in touch with either himself or any of the local organisers of the trip.
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
The family of Omagh bomb victim, Philomena Skelton will once again care for a young Romanian orphan this summer less than
a year after the mother-of-four died in last August's atrocity.
Little Andreea Cozac (12), who has stayed with the Skelton family on two previous occasions, will return again for three weeks in July.
And this week the victim's husband, Kevin said he believed it would have been his wife's wish that he continue the compassionate work she first got involved with in the summer of 1997.
"I have no doubt that it would have been Philomena's wish that I carry on looking after little Andreea.
"It is because my wife started looking after the youngster, that I now feel I have to carry on with the work" he said.
The young Romanian is one of 22 children from the Fagaras orphanage due to arrive on 19th July. The trip is part of an annual venture undertaken by the Derry-based North West Romanian Relief Fund
Fourteen children will stay with families in the Drumquin/Dregish area, while a further eight will be looked after in Omagh.
The Skelton family, from McCrea Park in Drumquin have already begun preparations for the visit of the young orphan who they now regard as part of the family.
Fourteen-year-old Shauna Skelton, who suffered severe injuries in the Market Street blast, has kept in regular contact with her young Romanian friend throughout the past few months. And Paula (19), Ray (17) and 16-year-old Tracey are all looking forward to Andreea's short stay.
As one of the prime organisers of the trip locally, Kevin is currently busy organising a fund-raising dance due to take place later this month in Drumquin.
Those involve hope to raise enough money to cover the �400 costs involved in transporting each child, together with staff from the orphanage.
Recalling the first trip of their young East European visitor two years ago, Kevin recollected how the child immediately fitted into the family circle.
"On that first visit, she arrived with a small bag containing just a nightdress, a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste.
"Because she had come from an orphanage where she had to hide all her personal possessions, she used to carry small items of food up to her bedroom and hide them under her pillow. If someone gave her a present, it also went under the pillow.
"But last year, she had come to realise this was not necessary, and she soon began leaving things lying around the house, just like our own children."
Just weeks before last August's blast, Kevin, Philomena and their family took young Andreea on a family holiday to Co Mayo.
The youngster returned to her homeland just over two weeks prior to the Omagh atrocity.
And on 15th August last, just hours after Kevin had priced flights to travel to Romania to celebrate Andreea's birthday, he and his family were caught up in the blast.
He now plans to travel later this year along with his youngest daughter, Shauna.
"It almost broke Philomena's heart to see the child go home again, as she had become so much a part of our family.
"Andreea is a lovable child who is full of fun and life, and if it was within my power, I would keep her here.
"For someone who has come from having nothing I have never see a happier youngster" added Kevin.
Following the blast, the widower was unsure whether organisers would permit his family to care for the child this year. But after contacting those in charge of the humanitarian project he was assured the visit could go ahead.
This week he urged anyone willing to provide sponsorship for the visit to get in touch with either himself or any of the local organisers of the trip.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1246
Published Date: 15-Apr-99
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