Choose School

World Vision has been fighting poverty in Romania - in both urban and rural communities- for more than 20 years. ‘Spiritual poverty’ in this traditionally Orthodox, post-Communist country was one of the key issues identified early on as a major barrier to the harmonious development of children here.

As a Christian organisation, World Vision Romania began to address this problem and initiated what turned into a long-term, successful partnership with the Romanian Orthodox Church. Access to Christian education and promoting the Christian model at the community level became important priorities of this partnership. 

Over the years, World Vision Romania has supported churches and other faith-based organisations and the partnership with the Romanian Orthodox Church has been essential to community development projects. Donations of religious books to church libraries, support to religious camps and pilgrimages, support in organising religious events and celebrations are just a few examples.

 “By participating in the summer camp, I became closer to God. It was an unforgettable experience. One of the verses in the camp’s hymn describes it perfectly – “We believe in friendship”! This camp is every child’s dream”. Alex, 12-years-old.

In 2006, the Youth Bible Curriculum (YBC) project began in Romania, in partnership with the Romanian Orthodox Church and with the blessing of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church. In 2008, the project was taken over by the Romanian Orthodox Church, with the blessing of His Beatitude Daniel Patriarch of Romania. For the YBC initiative, World Vision Romania received the highest honour given to non-clergy. 

In 2009, the “Choose School” initiative was launched by the Romanian Orthodox Church and World Vision, involving more than 35,000 vulnerable children in Romania in camps, workshops and Sunday-school type programmes to prevent school abandonment and juvenile delinquency. This is a European Union (EU) funded project with a budget of over 1 million Euros.

 Initially, the “Choose School” project was developed in three regions in Romania, but later (starting in August 2010) expanded into a nation-wide initiative covering more than 90% of Romania’s Counties and reaching a total budget of over 6 million Euros (EU funds). In total, the project will reach more than 100,000 children.

 “Spiritual education lessons is one of my favourite activities and I always enjoy participating, always curious to learn about Christ, about His life on Earth and the miracles He performed”. Darius, 15-years-old.

During the summer vacations in 2010 and 2011, more than 7,000 vulnerable children and adolescents from families struggling with financial difficulties or whose parents work abroad, as well as youth at risk of abandoning school etc.) were part of Christian summer camps. As part of the camp programme, children participated in different creative workshops including drawing, painting, creative writing, singing etc.

As part of both Youth Bible Curriculum and Choose School! Projects, many other children were part of the weekly spiritual education sessions and participated in many contests on religious themes.

Through the different activities, children have regained a sense of identity, self-respect and new confidence in their abilities. They discover new creative ways to express their feelings, thoughts, ideas. Their faith is renewed and they experience the love of God and their neighbours – and so do the adults around them.