Always Learning
They say autumn is a time for change. And if that is
the case we are right on schedule, from play time to learning time. Change is in the air and even in the
classroom. As most of you know the law in Romania requires all children from 7
and up to go to school. That law took
effect this school year. This week we spoke with the director of the school
where our last year kindergarten kids will be going and the response to our
program and our kids was encouraging. The kids received praise for how much
they learned and were able to recite to their future teachers.
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| first grade students |
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| Kindergarten students |
From our 12 kindergarten students 10 will be going to
the first grade and 2 will be in kindergarten in town. Our goal for this year
is to take our 12 kids plus siblings to school every morning and then helping
them with their homework. Our focus will be on the first class for homework
until we get a place of our own to do homework/tutoring. As of now we have 7 kindergarten kids on our
list to start school. We are hoping to enroll up to 12 kids again this year. We will be starting with kindergarten on
September 19. The students that will be joining us next week already call us
teacher and wake up every morning with their siblings to walk to the building
where we will be holding class. It is really sweet to see their excited faces
ready to start school.
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| Walking to the school |
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| Waiting in the classroom to begin |
September 12th marked a very important day
in history for our gypsy families. Generation of gypsy families that looked
away from education had to face it start on as they walked their children to
school for the first time in their lives. It was a special moment. Clara, grandmother
to all of our kids, wiped tears from her eyes as we walked away with 15 of her
grandchildren. As we walked the excitement was in the air. After taking each
child to their class we walked away knowing they were in God’s hands and that
it would be a great year for them. When we picked them up after-school they all
shared how their day and experience at school was for them. It truly was a
blessing to be part of it all.
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| School opening |
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| In the classroom |
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| They were so nervous and so sweet |
Thanks to all who helped make the start of school such a blessing!
Blessings,
Sandy Garcia
