For two decades, the old dog has enjoyed his stays at the stately Danubius Grand Hotel and Spa on Margitziget Island in the middle of the Danube between downtown Buda and Pest, a surrounding like Central Park in New York City.
During this sharp recession, Hungary is going through the agonies of governmental austerity, malnutrition, spreading homelessness, and the resulting separation of families. Especially hard hit is the Roma (Gypsy) population. The Romas make up about 8% of the Hungarian population and are a distinct underclass.
The morning began with breakfast at the hotel with eldest son Richard and Balazs Denes, Executive Director of the Hungarian Civil Liberty Union who is a leading advocate for harm reduction efforts and drug policy reform across Eastern Europe. The discussion revolved upon the practicality of a program similar to Lancaster born Project Forward Leap being introduced to assist Roma children who share the plight, albeit even worse, of disadvantaged inner city youngsters in the USA. The goal, as it is in the USA, is to prepare youngsters of talent for college and professional careers thereafter. Then they will be able to improve the lot of their people.
Then came a two hour visit by Richard and Robert to the U. S. Embassy to meet staff members and a long chat concerning educating Roma children with our ambassador, Mrs. Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis and her staff members.
This was followed by a late lunch with the chairman of the Hungarian American Foundation, Dr. Peter Komaromi, and a discussion of Richard’s ideas on how the Hungarian American Chamber of Commerce might raise significant funds to assist those in need from American Companies doing business in Hungary.
Among naps this evening, a half hour work out, and reading in the final chapters of “When China Rules The world”, was an e-mail exchanges with Dr. Helen Gayle, president and CEO of CARE International.
The highlight on Tuesday will be the dedication by the Hungarian Red Cross of an 80 bed homeless shelter converted from a workers hotel which was in part made possible by Richard Field’s American House Foundation. Via media coverage, this will reinforce for Hungarians the fairly new concept of private philanthropy.
Wednesday will be devoted to a daylong symposium sponsored by the American and Danish embassies on the Romas followed by a reception at the home of the Charges d’ Affaires of the U. S. Embassy.
Thursday is a travel day.
The Watchdog finds it good to get away from the distractions of the business world to devote time and energy to what is far more imporant. Rich or poor, strong or weak, it is the service we perform for others that brings meaning to life.
And Friday morning first thing? Back to handing out newsletters to early shoppers at the Central Market. Hope to see you there.
