“World Vision” Summer School - a valuable learning experience for vulnerable children

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Unlike what many people think, summer vacation doesn't bring children in rural areas endless days of joy and relaxation. Instead, most children wake up and go to work the fields with their parents. Only after the work is finished can those who still have energy play with their friends on the dusty alleys of their villages. This past summer, however, things were different for 50 children.

Because of their initiative and determination, these children were invited by World Vision to participate in a four-day Summer School in the Herculane mountain resort. During the summer school, the children participated in workshops focusing on: fundraising, project writing, communication and creation. Each of the workshops was designed and delivered by specialists from World Vision.

The activities they participated in combined practical exercises and theoretical knowledge. In the project writing workshop, children learned about the steps needed to write a project proposal: identifying the problem, settling the goal, outlining objectives and activities, planning the budget, as well as choosing the focus group and partners.

The fundraising workshop, on the other hand, was based on creativity, message writing, slogans, examples of activities and fundraising techniques. Children even created a campaign designed to get locals and tourists to donate money that would be used to buy water bowls for stray dogs affected by the hot weather; a need identified by children themselves.

“We understood all the steps needed to write a successful project proposal and we also created a fundraising campaign ... from the beginning to the end,” said Alexandra, 13. “We succeeded to put [the knowledge] into practice and the fact that people gave us money to help the dogs brought a lot of joy and fulfilment into my heart," she added.

As part of the community children’s club initiative, young people have the opportunity to take part in many activities and projects. In order to make their voices heard and to learn how to promote their events, children also joined a workshop on communication where they participated in a competition that included the creation of press releases, posters and original messages. Many of them stepped forward and introduced themselves, learning what they should and should not do while speaking in public.

“I have learned the best techniques to make our activities have a powerful echo in our community and be better understood by people," said Claudiu, 12.

 
Their learning adventure didn't stop at the end of the summer school. As soon as they returned home, children met their colleagues at the Community Initiative Clubs and shared with them the knowledge they gained during the summer school. Full of energy, the children created an action plan for the future, identifying new needs and coming up with new projects ideas.

"We are thinking of placeing bins around our village so that people stop throwing their garbage everywhere," said Andrei, 13.

The children also had the opportunity to present their plans to Catalin Popa, National Director of World Vision’s programmes in Romania and also Conny Lenneberg, World Vision’s Regional Leader, when they visited Dolj ADP. At the meeting, representatives from each club shared the achievements in their community as well as their new initiatives. For example, children from the Frumuseii Club talked about the Christmas fundraising campaign in which they had sold icons they had painted, highlighting that as a result of their efforts, the club members were able to offer presents to 50 children from vulnerable families. Others mentioned projects such as: ecological marches, awareness campaigns on the negative effects of violence, support for older people as well as events to promote the activity of their clubs and attract new members.

The children were congratulated on their efforts and determination. They also received appreciation diplomas. They left the meeting more confident than ever, ready to put their plans into practice, for the well-being and development of their community. “We are ready" they shouted together.



In addition to the summer school, during summer vacation children had the opportunity to participate in different activities organized by World Vision in their communities, such as painting, modern dance workshops, outdoor exercises, education activities and extra classes held by volunteers. All of the activities were designed to give children educational opportunities and help them spend their time in a pleasant and constructive way.

Media links:
http://www.cvlpress.ro/20.08.2014/scoala-de-vara-pentru-copiii-din-satele-doljene/
http://www.lupamea.ro/articol.php?id=24237