In the fall of 2013, the municipal government granted FFR a space to start a center for the children of the community. After years of building this bond with the Mayor of the village we are excited to take that relationship even further by providing an After School Program for Roma and Romanian children who are underprivileged and struggling.
The main goals of this project include sharing the love of God with these children, encouraging and helping them in their education, and offering them a chance to succeed in life.
Through support and generous donations, the children are given backpacks and school supplies, along with shoes and clothing if needed. The majority of the class materials are also donated by people from all over the world.
We have many volunteers that come to our After School Program. This gives the children an opportunity to meet people from all over the world, exposing them to new cultures and broadening their worldview. The children are also able to see the importance of the English language which gives them a desire to learn it.
The Program
- The children who are enrolled in the After School Program are from 6 to 16 years old, grades kindergarten through seventh.
- The children attend the program two to four times a week depending on their need. Each session lasts for two hours.
- Each group meeting is begun with singing songs that are interactive and fun. The children love singing and would continue this activity all day if given the chance!
- We have a Bible based teaching focused on showing children the love of God, and how they can have a personal relationship with Him throughout their lives.
- After a healthy snack is provided, each child receives help with his or her homework and further instruction on school related subjects. The goal is to meet the children where they are and then work to help them catch up to where they should be educationally.
- The children are taught new life skills each month, such as basic hygiene, hand washing, how to brush their teeth, etc.
- Once a month, 3 children from the program have the opportunity to visit Brasov with the ASP educators. This gives the children a change to experience the city and visit several tourist attractions, while also allowing the educators to get to know the children better and understand their needs.
- Every 3 months, the children who had birthdays during that time are celebrated. This is a joyful time as they are not celebrated at home, so the ASP feels like a large family who are with them and making the children feel special on this important day in their lives.
The Village of Budila
Silvana Hagiu
PROJECT MANAGER
I was working as a full time teacher in the After School Program for one year before becoming Project Manager. During this time I developed a great love for the children I worked with and a desire to see them grow in education, social interaction and in their relationships with Jesus. Their smiles and love conquered me from the very first day I met them.
I now manage a team of four, a team that is passionate about teaching and helping children in need. I am very grateful for every one of them and for the unity that we encounter every day as we work with these children. What I like most about my job is that it gives me the opportunity to share Jesus and His great love with these children, while educating and teaching life skills. I look forward to seeing the fruits of God’s great work through this program in the entire community.