The dream of education becomes reality
At the beginning of June, 100 Romanian students have seen a
dream come true - they graduated high school. For the last four years, they have
been part of World Vision Romania’s “I want to be in ninth grade” scholarship
project, a project that offered support for children coming from the country’s
rural areas. Launched in 2008, the project won the hearts of many Romanians who
chose to become individual sponsors and help students from poor
families.
“Our family has nine members – parents and seven children. Loredana is our eldest, she is 18 years old. The financial support she received made a huge difference –she would use the money to buy things she needed – a school bag, supplies, pay for transportation. It was a great help because I knew I don’t need to worry about her and I could focus on my children’s needs also,” said Marcela, a mother from Covasna village, north eastern Romania.
“In spite of all the financial difficulties here I am, graduating high school. Thanks to World Vision. Thanks to them, I have learned that all is possible in life with a bit of help. I am so happy to have had the chance to be a World Vision scholarship student,” said 18 year old Simona from Costuleni commune, Iasi County.
In Romania, rural poverty stops 25% of village students from going to high school. Over the years, ”I want to be in the ninth grade” project offered scholarships to more than 45O students from five Romanian counties – Iasi, Ialomita, Cluj, Valcea and Dolj. The students received financial support to pay for their boarding and transportation, their school performance was monitored but, most importantly, they received counseling and moral support. Learning trips and summer camps were also part of the project experience.
“I’ve learned so much as part of this project. I saw places I never would have dreamed of going. It was both a social but also a growing up experience. I’ve learned to not be shy, I’ve found the courage to speak in public but one of the most important things I’ve learned was how great it is to be able to help others, to give back some of what we received. The project might have ended but my relationship with World Vision is only beginning. I want to continue as a World Vision volunteer,” said Alexandra, another scholarship student.
One of the great aspects of the project was that the students were able to develop a strong relationship with their sponsors. Through World Vision Romania, children and sponsors exchanged letters and small gifts and, more importantly, learned from each other. For many of them, this relationship turned into a wonderful friendship.
“I think I speak on behalf of all my colleagues when I say I have so much gratitude for all sponsors who chose to give through this project. Ourselves and our parents, we are all so thankful for all the support they gave us. In a way, they are our parents also,” 19 year old Andreea said.
Every year, thousands of Romanian children abandon school. For many of them life becomes grey and hopeless. They are left to work the land with their parents, marry or leave the country in search of jobs. But the saddest thing of all is that they will never know or reach their true potential.
“Our family has nine members – parents and seven children. Loredana is our eldest, she is 18 years old. The financial support she received made a huge difference –she would use the money to buy things she needed – a school bag, supplies, pay for transportation. It was a great help because I knew I don’t need to worry about her and I could focus on my children’s needs also,” said Marcela, a mother from Covasna village, north eastern Romania.
“In spite of all the financial difficulties here I am, graduating high school. Thanks to World Vision. Thanks to them, I have learned that all is possible in life with a bit of help. I am so happy to have had the chance to be a World Vision scholarship student,” said 18 year old Simona from Costuleni commune, Iasi County.
In Romania, rural poverty stops 25% of village students from going to high school. Over the years, ”I want to be in the ninth grade” project offered scholarships to more than 45O students from five Romanian counties – Iasi, Ialomita, Cluj, Valcea and Dolj. The students received financial support to pay for their boarding and transportation, their school performance was monitored but, most importantly, they received counseling and moral support. Learning trips and summer camps were also part of the project experience.
“I’ve learned so much as part of this project. I saw places I never would have dreamed of going. It was both a social but also a growing up experience. I’ve learned to not be shy, I’ve found the courage to speak in public but one of the most important things I’ve learned was how great it is to be able to help others, to give back some of what we received. The project might have ended but my relationship with World Vision is only beginning. I want to continue as a World Vision volunteer,” said Alexandra, another scholarship student.
One of the great aspects of the project was that the students were able to develop a strong relationship with their sponsors. Through World Vision Romania, children and sponsors exchanged letters and small gifts and, more importantly, learned from each other. For many of them, this relationship turned into a wonderful friendship.
“I think I speak on behalf of all my colleagues when I say I have so much gratitude for all sponsors who chose to give through this project. Ourselves and our parents, we are all so thankful for all the support they gave us. In a way, they are our parents also,” 19 year old Andreea said.
Every year, thousands of Romanian children abandon school. For many of them life becomes grey and hopeless. They are left to work the land with their parents, marry or leave the country in search of jobs. But the saddest thing of all is that they will never know or reach their true potential.
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