A hot issue - Hungary

27 August 2010 - One keen expat in Hungary was very much moved by the fate of a poor local family. But then the story would make anyone's heart bleed. The father could no longer work for health reasons and the family was not entitled to any benefits.

They lived in a ramshackle house with a leaky roof and an old stove that was far too dangerous to use. With winter approaching, the expat decided to fix the roof and bought the family a new stove. They were incredibly grateful: now the children would stay warm and dry this winter!

Some weeks after the delivery of the stove, the expat decided to go visit the family and see how they were getting on. He knocked on the door, but no one answered, even though the expat felt that someone must be home. Somewhat suspicious, he waited outside the house and eventually the family had no choice but to let him in. What did he find? The brand new stove had been traded in for a rickety old one - and a TV!