Mobile School - Education for Children in Romania

Here’s a glimpse into our recent activities! From July to September, we were busy engaging children in learning through creative and hands-on activities, with Mobile School and at our educational center. We traveled to seven different locations and carried out 33 activities with Mobile School, reaching 163 children across various locations: Ses Bahlui – 13 activities, Cantemir – 11 activities, Ceplenita – 2 activities, Raducaneni – 2 activities, Rediu – 2 activities, Poieni – 1 activity, and Scheia – 2 activities.

We also had some adventures along the way, during one activity, a tire on the Mobile School broke. We quickly improvised by placing a piece of wood under the wheels to stabilize it, but getting the Mobile School back into the caravan afterward was a bit of an adventure. What made this moment truly special, was the way the children stepped in to help. They were eager to offer creative solutions, and their enthusiasm reminded us once again that learning is a two-way street. In this particular session, we found ourselves learning more from them than they did from us.

At the same time, our educational center continued to be a hub of activity, hosting 50 activities during this period. The center was filled with the sounds of joy, laughter, curiosity, and even a few tears as we all experienced the ups and downs of learning. One of the highlights of the summer was the summer kindergarten that we organized for children who had never been to kindergarten before. This was a crucial step in helping them transition smoothly into formal education.

Kindergarten, as we know, is a time of learning through play and exploration. Our focus was on helping these children develop socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically through hands-on activities. It's a stage where they not only learn academic basics but also become socially adept and ready for more structured academic learning in the years to come.

We worked with 12 children aged 3 to 6, teaching them essential life skills like following community rules, sharing toys, washing hands before meals and keeping their eating areas clean. For many of these children, it was the first time they had ever held a pencil—a small but significant milestone. The experience was both rewarding and challenging, not only for the children but for our colleagues as well. Of these 12 children, 2 were of school age and required assistance to be enrolled. We provided them with the necessary support, ensuring they could begin their educational journey with all the resources and guidance needed for a successful start in school.

Another highlight of the summer was our team's opportunity to refresh their skills and knowledge. In July, we completed a five-day course focused on Mobile School methodology. These days were filled with learning, joy, and bonding as we reflected on what has been working in our activities and where we could improve. We discussed the challenges we have faced, brainstormed solutions, and revisited the values that define us as a team. This training helped us not only strengthen our approach but also deepen our connection to each other and our mission.

On September 9th, the school year began here in Romania, and all the children needed to prepare for this new beginning. As part of this effort, we helped 55 children get ready for school by providing them with schoolbags full of supplies: 25 children from Ses Bahlui and 20 children from Cantemir. Additionally, we supported 5 children in re-entering the education system and working towards earning their primary or secondary school diplomas by enrolling them in the "Second Chance" program.

Throughout all these months, it’s important to remember that there’s a dedicated team behind every activity we carry out. This is us (photo 2), during one of our creativity sessions from the training. We believe it's important to highlight the people behind all the activities we oversee. This is just a part of our team; we also have colleagues who handle human resources, accountability, and fundraising. They may not always be on the front lines having as much fun as we do, but their efforts are just as vital to our success.

As we look back on the past three months, we feel incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together, and we’re even more grateful for your ongoing support. Thank you for making this journey with us!