Romanian Patriarchate has helped more than 30,000 children through its school program

Nearly 32,000 children have benefited from the Romanian Orthodox Church’s Choose School! program, which provides them with necessary school supplies, lessons, activities, and much more.

The latest edition, implemented in 6 counties over the past 6 years, helped 2,934 children. The next 3-year edition has already been launched.

Project manager Fr. Constantin Năclad gave thanks that, by the grace of God, they were able to bring children closer to school and give them the Word of God.

This most recent edition of the program provided many benefits to the nearly 3,000 children, including remedial activities in mathematics and the Romanian language, extracurricular activities, Sunday School, parents’ school, volunteer campaigns, information campaigns on the importance of education, educational contests, and educational camps.

“The rhythm and diversity of activities addressed to children at school and in the church, as well as the participation of parents in counselling and parenting programs have strengthened the inner motivation and increased the desire to participate in the educational act. We are happy to emphasize the efficiency of the activities within this project in preventing and correcting the phenomenon of leaving school early,” said project coordinator Fr. Florin Marica.

From April 2019 to April 2021, the children enrolled in the program received 2,095 fully equipped backpacks, 1,383 personalized tracksuits, 2,000 tablets, 112 bicycles, 481 scoots, and 671 games.

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasized that the success of the program shows that well-structured catechetical programs “can provide an educational alternative, bringing an increase in knowledge and wisdom to the hearts and souls of children in families, parishes, and communities across the country. The Church is equally concerned with both the cultivation of the intellect, as well as the shaping of children’s souls.”

The Choose School! project was initiated in 2009 by the Romanian Patriarchate together with the World Vision Romania Foundation.

Since then, it has involved:

  • 31,954 beneficiary children

  • 1,808 beneficiary parents

  • 3,312 priests and teachers

  • 299 summer camps attended by 11,790 children

  • 3,363 parishes

  • 103 innovative centres

Photography courtesy of Raluca Ene / basilica.ro

English article by OrthoChristian

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