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Help SVP Romania keep the doors open to Ukrainian families
The Don Bosco after-school club in Iasi, Romania, has been operating since 2000 for children from very poor families in the local area.
Following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which has since resulted in 6.8 million Ukrainians being forced to flee their home and seek refuge elsewhere, Caritas opened the doors of their after-school club to Ukrainian children within Iasi.
For two years, Don Bosco has been a source of refuge and support to Ukrainian children and their families during this tough time. The after-school club is currently open to 40 Romanian children and 40 Ukrainian children, operated by Caritas with close support by the local SVP Conference.
This vital after-school club offers children with the opportunity to:
- Study core subjects in Ukrainian (whereas the local schools can only offer lessons in Romanian) ensuring they don’t fall behind in education
- Provide language and culture lessons to help them settle into what is their new home for the foreseeable future
- Share hot lunches together with friends
- Access to running water and hygiene stations, which many children within the school do not have at home
- Play and have fun with other children
- Attend summer school clubs with the SVP helping fund days out, games, and equipment
- Access medicine which families would otherwise not be able to afford
It also provides parents with a much needed relief, knowing their children are safe and happy each day.
But your help is now needed.
As the Romanian government announces the withdrawal of funding for Ukrainian support, the after-school club is now at threat of closing down.
The local SVP Conference are committed to ensuring this does not happen and fundraised enough funds in December to help the school remain open throughout January. And in January 2025, the SVP England & Wales approved the emergency grant for 3 months to cover the costs of food, heating, educational materials, and medicine.
But your support is needed to ensure the after-school club continues up to and throughout the Summer.
How your donation could help
£15 could cover the costs of the monthly birthday cake, which all children with a birthday that month share together. This is likely the only birthday cake they will receive.
£30 could fund a hot meal, every day for a month, for one child
£25 could cover the costs of educational materials (notebooks, pens, teaching resources) for one child for 6 months
£140 could cover the costs of all medicine and hygiene materials needed for 10 children for 1 month.
£250 could cover the heating, electricity and water costs for a whole month, ensuring all children have a comfortable and safe environment to thrive in