ChildAid’s other new Moldovan project partner is
Esther House in the village of Valcinet. A day centre for children aged 5-15
who are at risk. They are from poor families, often left with relatives or
neighbours as parents work abroad, or are in single parent families, or from
families where there is alcohol abuse and violence. Some parents do turn up at
the Centre demanding that the child should be home looking after younger
siblings, or working around the house or in the fields.
The Centre is open five days a week and children
arrive after school from 1pm onwards. It is also opens during school holidays.
It supports 70 children - with 20-25 attending each day.
The activities are varied and effective:
Homework:
The children
have tutoring
classes in
groups.
The
tutor offers
expertise and encouragement and it is notable that school
results are better than those children not attending the Centre.
Practical:
The children love being at the Centre and are
proud of it, so take it in turns to clean and maintain it.
Cooking:
A whole range of skills are taught together with
an understanding of food and where it comes from. It’s fun, therapeutic and a
great bonding activity.
Personal Hygiene:
Receiving
little parental guidance, the children are taught the importance of everyday
hygiene. Attention is given to hair, skin, teeth, hands, nails, feet and
menstrual hygiene.
Well-Being:
The
staff seek to ensure that the child’s well-being is paramount. A
positive
environment helps support the physical, social, intellectual and
emotional development of every child. There is mutual trust and respect and
strong links are built with the school and community.
All of these courses aim to make the children more responsible and prepare them for a life ahead in a more positive and developed way.
You can support our work with Esther House via the link below:
No comments:
Post a Comment