By Letizia Sabba | Project Leader
Here we are, dear friends and donors... It's the end of the summer and we are pleased to share with you what happened during these three months at the Centre Pinocchio in Panciu!
In June, the school ended and only 5 children attending our daily educational centre got left back on some subjects; this means that in September they have to retake a test, in order to pass the scholastic year. All minors of the Centre Pinocchio, nonetheless, received a prize at the end of the scholastic year as a recognition of their efforts and good will: some children received an excellence award for their commitment, reliability and positive attitude; some of them received a prize for the good results at school and the other ones received a small recognition as an incentive to continue studying and building a better future for themselves. The Centre Pinocchio, for this occasion, donated books, toys and sweets for everybody.
The first surprise of summer 2016 regarded the opportunity to take part into two youth exchanges abroad. One project was entitled “Twenties: work in progress” and took place in Marche-en-Famenne (Belgium) in the period 4th -16th July 2016. Four groups from Belgium, Romania, France and Italy with participants between 16 and 25 years old got involved in field visits, non-formal education workshops, meetings and artistic workshops. The aim of this youth exchange was to allow the participants, with and without disabilities, to reflect and share their ideas about the 20’s step and working on their autonomy skills. 20 years is an important “finish line”! This life step often symbolizes the research of autonomy and independency. At the age of 20 new projects usually emerge, life brings us to take decisions which will be important for our future, many youngsters feel like travelling, discovering new realities, meeting new people.
The second project, in partnership with IBO Italia, was entitled “ACT! Active Citizens’ Training” and took place in San Leonardo di Cutro – Crotone (Italy) in the period 10th – 18 July 2016. A group of 20 young participants between 14 and 24 years old got involved in this European experience about volunteering and active participation, justice and fight against racketeering. In order to allow some of the most disadvantaged children of the Centre Pinocchio to participate to such an international experience, the local staff made huge efforts for the release of birth certificates and passports for 6 minors with very difficult backgrounds. In Romania, it often happens that Roma people do not possess a birth certificate or, if they have one, it's incorrect and thus prevents the release of any other document. Any Mary (social worker), Diana and Monica (educators) accompanied minors and their parents all along through burocratic procedures (notary, local court, police), in particular being a support for those ones that were illiterate or afraid of public institutions. The Centre Pinocchio supported such an intervention also from the financial point of view, covering the expenses related to local transports, releasing of official documents, staff, administrative expenses, stationery.
Both youth exchanges constituted an enriching opportunity to enlarge horizons, meet peers from other countries and discover that, after all, youngsters share the same dreams, difficulties, expectations for the future.
During the summer the Centre Pinocchio also hosted groups of international volunteers, for a total of 27 youngsters that decided to spend a part of their holidays for the education and entertainment of children with fewer opportunities, whose childhood is too often deprived of dreams, light heartedness and serenity. Clowns, cooking workshops, open-air games, treasure hunts, sport competitions and one-day excursions: these are just some of the recreational activities organized for the 50 children of the Centre Pinocchio.
During these 3 months, the social services of the contre continued to be provided. The canteen continued offering a breakfast, a hot meal and a snack every day; the social worker kept periodical home visits to Roma families and counselling meetings for the most difficult cases; the educators organized also formal education moments, in order to prepare children to the new scholastic year.
Now September arrived and the need to support minors for the school is even stronger: children, indeed, need special tutoring for homeworks and tests, as well as to receive didactic material their families wouldn't be able to provide.
Since on the 21st September, there will be GlobalGiving's Bonus day and it will coincide with the beginning of the new scholastic year, we strongly trust in your kind open-heartedness and sensitivity. With a small donation you could really contribute guaranteeing the right to education and nutrition for the children attending the Centre Pinocchio.
So...save the date and remember that the 21st September is the best day to donate! Further information about how to donate during the Bonus Day will be sent by e-mail to all our donors.
In Panciu, there are quite a lot of dreams and projects! Help us realizing them!
By Letizia Sabba | Project Leader
By Letizia Sabba | Project Leader
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