After-School Support for Ukrainian Refugee Kids

Afterschool Program for Ukrainian Refugee Children Background and Initial Approach

Since the beginning of our afterschool program, our primary goal has been to create a safe and welcoming space for Ukrainian refugee children, offering them support and opportunities for socialization. Initially, the program was open to all interested children, regardless of their educational background or enrollment status in Romanian schools. The focus was primarily on helping them adapt to their new environment, interact with peers, and engage in recreational activities that provided emotional relief and a sense of community.

However, starting in September, with the beginning of the new school year in Romania, we recognized an urgent need to shift our focus. While socialization remained important, we saw that children enrolled in Romanian schools faced significant academic and linguistic barriers that required targeted intervention.

Challenges Faced by Ukrainian Children in the Romanian School System

The transition to a new educational system has been incredibly difficult for Ukrainian refugee children. They are required to study in Romanian—a language that is entirely different from their native tongue, both in terms of structure and script. Unlike some other European countries that have specialized programs for integrating non-native speakers into their education systems, Romanian schools are not adequately equipped to support students from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

As a result, many Ukrainian children experience severe academic and social struggles:

• Language Barrier: Without prior exposure to Romanian, children find it extremely challenging to follow lessons, understand assignments, and communicate with teachers and classmates.
• Lack of Specialized Support: Schools lack the necessary resources, such as bilingual educators, adapted curricula, and additional language support classes, to help these students integrate effectively.
• Marginalization and Exclusion: Many Ukrainian children are placed at the back of classrooms with little attention from teachers. They often feel isolated and disconnected from their peers.
• Bullying and Discrimination: Unfortunately, some children have already encountered bullying from classmates and even, in some cases, from teachers. This not only affects their academic progress but also their emotional well-being and self-confidence.
• Delayed Academic Development: Without proper linguistic support, these students struggle to acquire age-appropriate knowledge in subjects such as mathematics, science, and history, putting them at risk of falling behind their peers.

How Our Afterschool Program Helps

To address these challenges, our afterschool program has been restructured to provide targeted educational support for Ukrainian children enrolled in Romanian schools. Over the past few months, we have worked with 21 children—9 from Galati and 12 from Braila—offering them a structured and supportive learning environment.

Key Components of the Program

• Intensive Romanian Language Lessons:

We provide daily language lessons focusing on essential communication skills, reading, writing, and vocabulary building.
Lessons are designed to be interactive, incorporating storytelling, songs, games, and practical exercises to make learning more engaging.

• Homework Assistance and Academic Support:

We help children understand and complete their school assignments, ensuring they grasp key concepts and develop confidence in their studies.
Our educators provide one-on-one support where needed, particularly in subjects that pose greater difficulties due to language barriers.

• Socialization and Emotional Support:

Beyond academics, we create opportunities for children to interact, make friends, and build relationships in a supportive environment.
We organize group activities, creative workshops, and play-based learning to enhance their social skills and emotional resilience.

• Nutritious Lunch for All Participants:

Every child attending our afterschool program receives a delicious and nutritious lunch to ensure they have the energy to focus and engage in learning. Meals are carefully planned to include essential nutrients, supporting both their physical health and cognitive development.

• School Supplies and Learning Materials:

We provide each child with school supplies, including notebooks, pens, pencils, textbooks, and other essential materials needed for their studies. This helps reduce the financial burden on refugee families and ensures that every child has the tools necessary to succeed in school.

• Parental Involvement and Community Engagement:

We maintain close communication with parents to update them on their children’s progress and challenges.
We collaborate with local schools and educators to advocate for better support systems for refugee children.

Impact and Future Goals

So far, our program has made a meaningful difference in the lives of the participating children. Many of them have shown noticeable improvement in their Romanian language skills, gained more confidence in their academic abilities, and developed friendships with peers. Parents have expressed gratitude for the program, highlighting the positive changes they see in their children’s motivation and emotional well-being.

Additionally, the children themselves have shared their thoughts and experiences about the afterschool program:

Karolina, 11 years old:
"I am very happy to attend the After School program. Here, I always receive help with my lessons, they explain difficult subjects to me, they help me learn the Romanian language, and they support me during difficult moments. I am grateful to the entire staff of ‘Inima de Copil’—the instructors and those who run this wonderful organization. I like that here I can not only improve my knowledge but also make new friends with whom I enjoy spending time. ‘After School’ is a place where I feel comfortable and confident, and where I am always welcome!"

Artem, 13 years old:
"I really enjoy going to the Afterschool program. Here, I receive help not only with Romanian school lessons but also with learning in Ukrainian. We study the Romanian language, and the lessons are very interesting. I can come both in the morning and in the afternoon. Many of my friends also attend Afterschool and love it."

These testimonials reflect the deep impact the program has had on the children’s academic progress, emotional well-being, and overall integration into their new environment.

However, the need for such support remains high. Moving forward, we aim to:

• Expand our program to accommodate more children in need.
• Strengthen partnerships with schools and local authorities to advocate for improved integration policies for refugee students.

By continuing to support these children, we hope to empower them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to build a brighter future despite the challenges they face.