Stupini Kids

At the Stupini Kids day centre we have just finished the final week of this academic year. On average we have been getting 16 kids a day coming to the centre, although this number has dropped off over the last couple of weeks as kids go on summer outings with school and get into the spirit of summer.

Picnic Time

Last week we all went for a picnic to the outskirts of Brasov. The sky was very cloudy that day and we were really praying it wouldn’t rain. Thankfully it stayed dry and we had a great picnic, played a few games and then went to the Brasov Zoo for a day out.

Having Fun in the Park

Brasov Zoo has great collection of animals from Brown bears, lions and tigers and we were all treated at the end of tour by one of wardens (we assume he was the warden) playing with one of the lions.

Looking for the Bears

Greetings from Brasov Zoo

On the 19^th of June a team from Kings Church Horsham come to Brasov to run a camp for the Stupini Kids. Andy Robinson and his team have been coming to Brasov now for several years and the camp is also a significant time in the lives of many of these kids and is probably the highlight of their summer holidays.

A couple of weeks ago a few of us prepared the ground where our tents will be by setting up a fence and just clearing the ground for the camp. The 2 days were worked on the camp certainly was hard work but we all had a great laugh and of course all got sun burnt.

Nicu and Dragos getting this years camp ready

We look forward in telling you about the camp in our next news letter and for now we wish you all a happy summer

In September Steve Marsh and crew arrived in Brasov after driving from the Isle of Wight for a few days with 2 vans packed with aid. The team from the Isle of Wight has been driving out here faithfully for the last 5 years. This year the team was; Steve Marsh, Dave Edwards, Paul Wray and Tony Delannoy.

Steve Marsh and Dave Edwards unloading their van

We are really appreciative for what they have given Stupinikids during the last 5 years. This year was no exception  as we received numerous clothes for children and adults, note pads and stationary which are fantastic for the kids, basic medicine, bedding, towels, toys and other items to numerous  for us to mention.

Tony Delannoy taking time out with the kids

Most of the stuff we have now given away, especially the clothes which many families appreciate during this time, especially as we see more and more families struggling under the economic situation in Romania.

It is a pleasure to see so many kids happy with their new warm clothes and a special thanks to everyone who contributed in so many ways in seeing these kids blessed. I’m sure most people from the Isle of Wight may not appreciate or comprehend what a blessing these gifts have been too many children and their families.

Isle of Wight team with Stupinikids staff

The day centre is going well with 22 children now turning up daily for help with their homework and to receive a hot meal. This month Rodica becomes  a full-time employer at the centre. We welcome her on board and she will be a great resource for Lacra and Anna as they see so many kids now coming to the centre.

Gifts from the Isle of Wight being given out

We are also very grateful for a couple of families from the UK who are sponsoring Gabi and Ioana through university here in Brasov.

The current political situation in Romania is very fragmented, initially one would wonder what effect this could have on our home work club. But with Romania now without Boc’s government to push through the reforms demanded by the IMF when they gave a 20 billion euro loan in the summer and parliament and the president no further in agreeing a prime minister. This could affect further installments of the IMF loan if the IMF conditions are not met and could destabilize the economy even further.

This will have an effect on everyone in Romania and unfortunately the poorest and most vulnerable will be the most affected.

The kids started the new academic season 3 weeks ago. Long gone are the memories of the summer holiday as the new term kicks into life.

At the homework club we have 17 kids registered for the homework club and who would turn up to the club every week day when they have school. This year for the first time we have taken 2 kids into the club who do not live in the Stupini area.

To give you a brief update, if you are new to the site, on what happens on a daily basis is that the kids would take the bus to the center after they finish school usually at noon. We would give them a meal and then help them complete their homework.

Anna with the watchful eye

Sounds very basic but the aim of our club is to help the kids with their homework so they can have a greater potential in leaving school with a better education and thus better prospects for work and making informed decisions in life.

This year 4 of our dedicated volunteers who came through the Stupinikids club finished their high school education. Congratulations to Nicu, Rodica, Ioana & Gabby who finished their education with good marks.

The challenge now, especially in the current economic crisis, in Romania is to see these guys getting work. Ioana & Gabi now enrolled into university, which is fantastic news. However they will still need to find work to fund this.

Some of the kids playing in the yard

We have taken Rodica on as a full time worker through a scheme run by the Romanian government where they pay a basic wage. (Similar to the old YTS scheme in the UK) However there is no funding available from the Romanian government and in principle when the funding comes through Rodica will be paid. So in the meantime Rodica is a full time volunteer.. Congratulations Rodica!!

Ioana doing homework with the kids

Next week we await for Steve Marsh and the Firemen crew from the Isle of Wight who are driving from the IoW to Brasov with charity aid which was donated by people in the Isle of Wight. But more of that in our next news letter.

Rodica with the kids