Nurture and School Anti-drop-out Centre

RO-MAN-AID

Status: Currently seeking funding/volunteers

Project details

Many Roma children have problems with education in schools. Often their parents are illiterate and so are not able to help them and at home, they may never have seen a book or held a pencil before going to school. Only a minority of Roma children stay at school to finish primary schooling, with the majority dropping out and losing any chance of future employment within the legitimate economy.

In September 2011 A School Nurture and Anti-Drop Out is being created in the upper floor of a village school. The Nurture centre has adapted many ideas learnt from the one in Victoria Road School in Castletown and will have the same name, ‘Acorns’ (appropriately translated into the Romanian language). The Centre will work closely with the school and the local community and will be open for children of any ethnicity within the school if they are in need of help. It will also provide a model for other schools in Romania to follow. In order for children to be able to stay for a full day, we are providing meals which are free of charge to those children where neither parent is working.

Funding required

Initial funding has already been raised with the help of a grant from the Overseas Aid Committee, however more funds are required to sustain this project, particularly for the purchase of materials and equipment and also to sponsor the cost of meals.

Volunteer opportunities

Individuals and small groups who wish to work with the children could help this project. Please note that although free accommodation may be provided, volunteers would need to make and fund their own travel arrangements.