Hermina Katharina Jinga

Hermina Katharina Jinga

Hermina Katharina Jinga - by Nigel A JAMES

Rock Hard Rumanian Steel

Faces show nothing of the characters they hide, and, expressions – being only questions or statements – do nothing to enlighten the depths of achievement and thinking that dwell in the shadows of us all. And, strength, too, is not easy to find.  Sometimes, it is obvious, but, only too often it is hidden by a cloak of humble simplicity.  And, if you were to believe that Hermina Katharina Jinga is both humble and meek, you would be wrong!  For this lady of years is not only a person of steel, but also a character of rock hard decision!

Coming from a family which was broken by war,  Hermina Katharina Jinga grew up with hunger, hardship and struggle as companions; and, so it was, that after practically educating and bringing herself up, she succeeded in her dream of becoming a teacher.  But, her young life had not only been bad, there had been blessings as well; and these were the people who helped her. And help, when received, has to be passed further; and she was in just the right place.

As teacher, and now headmistress of a Bucharest school, she realized that many of the children whom she knew had not even the faintest idea of where their food came from. These kids were all typical Bucharest townies! And the answer was simple.  A centre! And so it came to be, that deep within the Rumanian countryside, Hermina Katharina Jinga’s  “Kinderbauenhof” was born!  And,  this “farm for young people” took off!

In 12 day cycles, kids not only discovered the innocent truth of chickens and eggs and potatoes and cabbage, but also the hidden realities of slaughter.  Breakfast, dinner and tea,  they found out, were nothing other than last links of a chain! But, as Hermina Katharina Jinga discovered, the beautiful Rumanian countryside had another side, too!

And this was the side of the Romany children!  They were the complete opposite of the townies.  They knew and understood all about chickens, pigs and eggs, but were sadly lacking in schooling and study.  These were the ones who needed the most!  And so, at the end of every school holiday, the Kinderbauenhof  becomes a day centre of learning  and warmth for these children of need.  And here, the results are not good – they are amazing!

A great many of the Romany kids who passed through the day centre have succeeded in their education, and, thanks to their success, they  have managed to move on to conventional lives!  Dignity, the most valuable thing of all, is now what they have in their pockets, and all thanks to Hermina Katharina Jinga!  A lady of not only vision, but great and lasting achievement as well.