OAZA PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN

In association with evangelical church we started a preschool or kindergarten program in 2003 for Roma children 3-6 yrs of age. We have had several groups move on to regular school now, and we have seen that the kindergarten helped a lot of the Romany children in their further growth in the school and in the society. They receive good preparation so that they are not immediately discriminated against as “Roma who don’t know anything,” when they start at the local primary school.

About 20 children are attending every workday from 8:30am – 3.00pm. Two kindergarten teachers are working with them, and we also have a cook. We make an effort to provide them with nutrition meals, enough vitamins and child-friendly foods. Children are served breakfast, a warm midday meal, and snacks. In the realm of the entire program, careful consideration is given to following areas of children’s needs: health, social, educational, emotional and spiritual. They hear a Bible story every day, and we pray with them. We are grateful to be able to serve the Romany children.
The preschool/kindergarten is held in the Oaza Center in Jagodina, Serbia. The Oaza Center works in other ways with local Romany. Children attend the preschool/kindergarten for free. The program is funded by sponsors (30 Euro/month per child).

To learn more about this program, contact:
Roma Centre OAZA
Miki Kamberovic
Koste Abrasevic 18
35000 Jagodina - Serbia
Tel.00381 (035) 229 791
e-mail: rcoaza@gmail.com

Donaties:
St. International Teams
te Ermelo
Giro 65646 m.v.v.
Roma Centrum OAZA

Preschool Cords in the Net

Rather than start a school, some focus on improving Romany education by helping Romany children prepare for school. The next few posts will introduce several involved in preschools. What is their purpose? What curriculum do they use? What impact have they had on the Romany children who attend them? Do these children do measurably better in available education once they begin school?

Those involved in preschools are welcomed to respond!

MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION

Experts around the world have concluded that it is easiest and most effective for people of any age (children-adults) to learn to read in their mother tongue. Respected organizations such as UNESCO and SIL promote literacy programs in minority languages (like Romani). Such programs have been successfully initiated even where the minority language was not previously written. The educational system begins in the minority language. Once students have mastered the basic skills involved in reading (and writing), instruction in the national language is gradually phased in. At the end of such programs, students are equipped to successfully transition into opportunities for higher education in national language schools. We would be very interested in hearing from any of you who have used such an approach. For those who would like more information, http://www.sil.org/literacy/multi.htm provides and introduction and list of resources.

FUNDAŢIA ProRroma România / STICHTING ProRomi Nederland

Fundaţia ProRroma din România colaborează strâns cu Stichting (fundaţia) ProRomi, cu sediul în Olanda, în scopul implementării educaţiei creştine pentru copiii romi. ProRroma are în supravegherea sa şcoli, grădiniţe, clase de meditaţii şi proiecte de ajutor umanitar. ProRomi se ocupă cu strângerea de fonduri, rugăciune, publicitate şi suport logistic. Până la ora actuală s-au înfiinţat patru şcoli: în satul de romi Hetea (jud. Covasna); în cartierul de romi din Tinca (jud. Bihor) şi în lagărul de romi Pata Rât din Cluj Napoca (jud. Cluj). După programul de şcoală se oferă gratuit meditaţii. De asemenea s-a înfiinţat un post medical şi s-a dat startul unui curs de alfabetizare. Prima instituţie de învăţământ din Tinca, la ora actuală grădiniţă plus primele clase de şcoală primară, a primit autorizaţie de funcţionare în învăţământ de la Stat, iar scopul principal este de a oferi învăţământ pentru toate cele opt clase ale învăţământului primar. Experienţa demonstrează faptul că elevii din toate aceste şcoli necesită mai mult timp şi atenţie pe parcursul procesului educaţional. Profesorii fundaţiei ProRroma sunt specializaţi în acest lucru. Informaţiile de pe site-ul fundaţiei ProRroma sunt publicate în trei limbi: română, engleză şi olandeză. Informaţiile de pe site-ul fundaţiei Stichting ProRomi sunt în limba olandeză, dar se poate face contact şi în limba engleză ori germană. Ambele website-uri conţin fotografii şi scurte filme documentar. Fundaţia ProRroma Strada Oaşului 347 400645 Cluj-Napoca Cluj, România info@prorroma.org www.prorroma.org Gavril Caba (preşedinte) +40(0)259-310370 Bert Looij (vice-preşedinte) +40(0)740-517425 Sjaak Monster (director) +40(0)724-770704 Stichting ProRomi Nederland (Olanda) Callistolaan 15 3318 JA Dordrecht Nederland / Olanda +31-(0)78-6559237 info@proromi.nl www.proromi.nl Sjaak Monster (director) +31(0)6-27566113

FUNDATIA ProRroma Romania / STICHTING ProRomi Nederland

Fundatia ProRroma in Romania works closely with the Stichting ProRomi, headquartered in the Netherlands, to establish Christian education for Roma children. ProRroma oversees schools, preschools, meditation classes and humanitarian work. ProRomi provides fundraising, prayer, publicity and logistical support. So far, four schools have been set up: in the Roma village Hetea, Covasna province; in the Roma section of Tinca, Bihor province, and the Roma camp Pata Rat in Cluj Napoca, Cluj province.

After-school tutoring is provided. A literacy course for adults and a medical post have also been started. The first school in Tinca, currently preschool + the first four years of primary school, has government approval to offer Kindergarten and the first four years. The ultimate goal is to provide all eight primary grades. Experience has shown that the children in all these schools need more time and attention during the educational process. The ProRroma teachers are specialized in this.

Information on the Fundatia ProRroma website is available in Romanian, Dutch, and English.
Information on the Stichting ProRomi website is in Dutch. However, contact can also be made in English and German. Photos and videos are available on both websites.

Fundatia ProRroma
Strada Oasului 347
400645 Cluj-Napoca
Cluj, Romania
info@proroma.org
http://www.prorroma.org/
Gavril Caba (president) +40-(0)259-310370
Bert Looij (vice-president) +40-(0)740-517425
Sjaak Monster (director) +40-(0)724-770704

Stichting ProRomi Nederland
Callistolaan 15
3318 JA Dordrecht
Nederland
+31-(0)78-6559237
info@proromi.nl
http://www.proromi.nl/
Sjaak Monster (director)+31-(0)6-27566113

Cand este benefic ajutorul tau?

De multe ori, oamenii "fac binele" mai degraba ca sa fie laudati decat sa faca binele la timpul potrivit si la persoana potrivita /familia/grupul potrivit. A infaptui binele la momentul in care te confrunti cu o nevoie este pentru unii dintre noi mai de valoare decat a rezolva problema/nevoia respectiva pe termen lung.(Nu ma refer aici la situatii de criza cand cineva a suferit arsuri sau i-a ars casa sau are un accident grav sau necesita o interventie chirurgicala urgenta).
Adevarul este ca fiecare fapta buna este cantarita de Dumnezeul nostru in concordanta cu motivatia pe care o am in momentul savarsirii faptei bune, motiv pentru care am nevoie de un plan in trepte masurabile sau pasi masurabili pentru a putea scoate pe cineva dintr-o situatie de criza .De aceea trebuie sa ne examinam sau cercetam motivatia noastra: De ce infaptuiesc aceasta fapta buna? Este scopul meu sa-I aduc glorie lui Dumnezeu prin fapta mea buna?
Din experienta mea personala am inteles ca e foarte important sa intelegi cultura si nevoile reale ale comunitatii si la fel de important este sa intelegi situatia particulara cu care se confrunta un individ din comunitatea respectiva. Abia apoi, dupa ce ai inteles-o si ai primit calauzire de la Dumnezeu cum sa rezolvi problema/nevoia respectiva, actioneaza si fa binele. Nu te grabi sa rezolvi situatii de criza. Cere calauzire de la Dumnezeu de fiecare data , inainte de a decide ce sa faci sau cum sa faci. Fa-i pe cei cu care lucrezi constienti de dependenta ta de Dumnezeu. Lasa-i sa inteleaga ca si tu esti doar o simpla unealta in mana Lui Dumnezeu si ca tu nu esti Dumnezeu, ca sa-i rezolvi lui toate problemele.
Vei intalni situatii cand cineva te va ruga sa-l ajuti intr-o situatie delicata si urgenta. Oamenii in nevoie pot fi dispusi sa-ti dea cuvantul lor de onoare ca garantie ca nimeni nu va afla daca tu vei interveni imediat si vei rezolva situatia lor dificila.
Fii intelept si evita astfel de situatii, deoarece s-au dovedit a fi capcane cu care sa te aibe la mana.
Cand ai decis ca e oportun sa oferi ajutor, ofera-l doar dupa ce ai cladit deja o relatie de incredere si respect reciproc. Sa ai ca scop sa-i ajuti pe acei copii/indivizi/ grup de oameni care coopereaza cu tine in rezolvarea planului tau de interventie.Impreuna, faceti clar fierare pas pe care acestia trebuie sa-l faca pentru implinirea telului propus.Cei mai multi oameni, adultii asemeni copiilor, vor invata mai repede prin imitatie. Ei vor observa toate faptele noastre, toate reactiile noastre din situatii diferite si astfel vor intelege cum sa abordeze situatiile lor dificile punand in practica ceea ce au invatat de la noi. Ei vor simti daca noi ii slujim din dragoste pentru Dumnezeu sau dintr-un alt motiv. Fii ingrijorat daca esti iubit de ei doar pentru faptul ca le dai bunuri materiale.
Sa fii eficient in comunitatile de rromi inseamna mai mult decat a le asigura acestora bunuri materiale. Este o lucrare mareata a lui Dumnezeu, mai intai in mine si abia apoi prin mine in ei. De aceea haideti sa raspandim prin tot ceea ce suntem, facem, gandim”mireasma cunoasterii LUI si sa cautam sa facem tot ce putem mai bun ca sa ne prezentam pe noi insine inaintea lui Dumenzeu ca si fiind calificati, slujitori carora nu le este rusine si care impart corect Cuvantul Adevarului.”( 2 Timotei 2:15).
Alina Ivan

When is Help Helpful?

Often, people "do good" to be praised rather than doing good in the proper time and to the right person/family/group. Doing a good deed for someone at the very moment when I saw the problem is more valued than solving the long-term problem or responding to that person’s need today. (I'm not talking here about an emergency like somebody is burnt, or is his house in fire or had a critical accident, or needs surgery immediately . . ..)
The truth is that each good deed is weighed by our God acording to the motivation we have when we perform it, and we need a smart and gradual plan to help somebody to get out of a difficult situation. We need to examine our motivations: Why am I doing this good deed? Is it my goal to bring glory to God through it?
From my own experience I have found that it is very important to understand the culture and the real needs of the community as well as the particular situation a particular person is struggling with. Then, act only after you understand it and after you got guidance from God on how to deal with their situation.
Don't rush to solve a crisis situation. Ask guidance from God before everything you decide to do. Do not pose yourself as the one who can solve everything. Make the ones you work with aware of your own dependence on God. Let them understand that you are just a simple tool in His hands--and you are not God.
Situations may arise when someone will plead to get your help in a tender, urgent situation. People may even be willing to give you their own word, in that situation, that no one will find out about your support. This is like a trap or a net, so be wise and avoid it. When you do decide it is appropriate to offer help, do it only after you have already built a trustworthy and respectful relationship. Have a goal to reach which those children/people/group of people will cooperate in reaching. Together, make clear each step that needs to be taken to fulfill this target.
Most people, adults as well as children, learn the most from imitation. They will observe all our deeds, all our reactions to different situations and will understand how they can deal with their own hard situations by practicing what they learnt already from you or from me. They can feel if we are serving them because of our love for God or because of another reason. Be concern if you are loved by them just because you are giving them all kind of goods, or material support.
Being helpful in Romany communities is more than providing goods or material support. It is a great work of God, first in us and only then through us to them. Thence let us spread through everything that we are "the fragrance of knowing Him and to do our best to present ourselves to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).