DONATED theatrical costumes have given deprived Romanian children the stage on which to learn how to smile.

BEN readers responded to an appeal for theatrical costumes to be taken to Romanian orphanages -- and the results have been dramatic.

The appeal came from Anne Collins, a former drama teacher from Bromley Cross who spearheads Project Mustard Seed, a charity which focuses on the children living in institutions in Negru Voda and Galati.

Anne's aim is to feed the minds of the deprived youngsters, many of whom are left without stimulation day after day.

In the time she has been visiting Romania, Anne has helped to introduce youngsters to basic toys and the joy of playing with water, sand and crayons.

As well as helping to create play rooms, Anne and other visitors have trained teachers to continue stimulating the youngsters.

The intention is to create a lasting legacy and, in her latest visit, the donated theatrical costumes were an instant success.

Anne said: "One of the most memorable pictures I will take back with me is of a young girl wearing a tinsel wig. She sat for hours simply shaking her head, watching it glitter." Julie Ryan visited the orphanages with Anne and she introduced the spellbound youngsters to face painting.

Anne said: "The costumes are helping to free the youngsters' imagination -- something that has never been done before. There is light coming into their eyes again.

"Children who used to show aggression are coming into the play areas and showing no signs of their previous behaviour.

"One success story is six-year-old Tinzuka. The little girl we saw last time was permanently slapping her own face and had never been out of her cot.

"On this visit I saw a little girl toddling about happily exploring the play equipment. She has also stopped slapping herself and has started to talk.

"Wardrobe Door donated two boxes of costumes and we took out costumes donated by the Youth Drama Workshop. The hope now is that Romanians will employ a seamstress and let the fun continue."

In addition to the success stories, Anne was still shocked at the state of many children and their living conditions, particularly in Negru Voda.

Disabled

She said: "The conditions are appalling. We were working with some of the most profoundly disabled and disturbed children. Youngsters were coming up asking us to tie their hands up. They are so used to it -- it is meant to stop self-abuse.

"Unfortunately, while they may improve while in the play therapy rooms, they have to return to living conditions in which they own nothing. They do not even have their own bed or clothes. You see teenagers who have to be restrained.

"Galati is brighter, airy and clean, but the children still do not have enough stimulation. There are children aged two to nine years who spend most of their day in their cot. It is particularly telling that the cot sides remain down, but the children do not even try to get out."

Trips will be made later in the year and anyone who would like to donate theatrical clothes, or money, made payable to HAO Project Mustard Seed, should contact Anne on 456679 or 400468.