Equipping teachers and partners in World Vision's child friendly spaces in Romania for Ukrainian refugee children

World Vision has conducted Training of Trainers for teachers, facilitators, and coordinators of its child friendly spaces, known as Happy Bubble, in Romania, to equip them with knowledge and tools to respond better to the needs of children affected by the war in Ukraine.

“Our goal is to provide psychosocial care to the children attending activities in our centers, so we help the teachers acquire the skill-sets to promote the children’s wellbeing”, said George Macarie, World Vision Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Technical Advisor.

Macarie added, “When they go back to their communities, they know how to help the children more as well as take care of themselves.”

During the two-day training on Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, Education in Emergencies and MHPSS, participants learned child friendly approach, inclusion, planning and preparing lessons, collaboration and peer coaching.

The training also includes methods in engaging and supporting children and adults in distress and ways to do psychosocial support and monitoring.

Our goal is to provide psychosocial care to the children attending activities in our centers, so we help the teachers acquire the skills sets to promote the children’s wellbeing.

“Knowing classroom management and other strategies will enable them to deliver quality interventions in our Child Friendly Spaces. We also hope to start a community among teachers supporting each other,” said Gabriela Miranda, Education in Emergencies Advisor.

For Laura Boncota, a teacher for ten years the training is helpful both personally and professionally. “It is important to have the tools and knowledge to teach and build positive relationship with the children.”

“This training is part of building the capacity of teachers and facilitators. We hope to create a standard, a set of recommended practice for them. This is also a venue to share their experiences and challenges and to learn from each other,” a said Ilona Chiriac, Child Protection Advisor.

The 24 participants were chosen from the 126 attendees in the online training held last March. The training is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP).

The participants will take the lead in training the other teachers and facilitators in the children’s hubs.

Story and photos by Leoniza Morales, Communications Specialist