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
- We currently have 140 children who are enrolled in the After School Program, ages 6 to 16 years old, grades kindergarten through eighth.
- 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.
After School Program
Daniela Anghel
PROJECT MANAGER
I first heard about the After School Program from my friend Silvana, who at that time was the project manager of the program.
After graduating from the United Theological Seminary, I worked for a long time with Roma children in villages around Brasov. I really love children, and when I first went to Budila, I liked the children and wanted to work with them. I wanted to help them excel in their education and to teach them about God, how to pray and to have a personal relationship with Jesus.
I am glad there is an After School Program where the children can come to receive love from people who are dedicated to helping them with their education. I am so thankful to be a part of this wonderful work. I believe these children can have a better future and grow more in their faith in Jesus, and I can see both of these things increasing. Thank you God for these children.
The After School Program is not just a place where children come and do their homework; it’s like a second home for them, a second family. Here they find the love and support that many times is lacking in their families. They find a place where they can grow and learn in community and experience the joy of God. It makes me so happy and grateful when I see them putting into practice all that we are trying to teach them, with patience and care. You can really tell the difference between our kids and the other kids in the village.
How This Program Makes a Difference.
- By encouraging the children of Budila to learn how to read, write, practice math skills and learn a foreign language!
- By teaching the children to positively and politely play and interact with other children and adults!
- By encouraging the children to stay in school and to continue their education through high school and into university!
- And most importantly, this program is making a difference by helping these children to know that God loves them abundantly and has a plan for each of their lives!