“I couldn’t read until now.”

– a girl from a troubled background receives educational and emotional support.

“It was hard at my old school. They hated me and called me names. I felt lonely and upset and I fell behind with lessons.”

Claudia, 13, lives with her family in deep poverty in Nisporeni, Moldova. Her father is in prison for domestic abuse. She and her mother, 10-year-old brother Vasile, and nine-year-old sister Cristina live in their grandparents’ old house.

Because of her family’s poverty, Claudia was bullied by her classmates at school and she came close to dropping out of school altogether.

Claudia said, “One day at break time, I came across a cousin of mine. She told me she went to the after school day centre in Nisporeni and said that she enjoyed that place so much and I should go with her.

“I really liked it there, and how friendly they are. I asked Mrs Aurica if I could come back again.”

Claudia and her siblings all go along to the after school centre every week day. Here, about 30 children from backgrounds of poverty enjoy a warm meal, receive help with their homework, and do fun activities.

Cristina, a volunteer, said, “At home, many of these children miss out on their parents' affection and attention. They sometimes don’t have warmth at home, and often there’s no food.”

“Instead of staying at home feeling cold and hungry, these children can come here. Their parents might not be at home, but here at the centre, they’re under supervision and good care,” added Viorel. He’s a MWB staff member who gives regular support families in the area – and knows the challenges many of them face.

As Claudia gradually settled in she grew in confidence and found a place where she belonged.

“Now I have friends to talk to and hang out with. I'm not bored or lonely anymore. They helped me a lot to get through everything. I still have stuff I need to handle, but I know I’ll be fine.” Claudia said.

Claudia had a lot of challenges to overcome with her schoolwork. She had fallen behind and felt lost – but Aurica and Cristina were there to help her.

“I couldn’t read until now,” she said. “Last summer I decided it was time to practice my reading and get better. This year I improved my grades in French, from 6.5, I got to 8. I also made a little progress In Romanian and History.”

Claudia had a lot of challenges to overcome with her schoolwork. She had fallen behind and felt lost – but Aurica and Cristina were there to help her.

“We hope that even if it’s hard for her, she’ll keep putting consistent effort into her work and will continue to improve.”Aurica said, “Our wish is that the after school centre in Nisporeni will help raise healed, healthy children, who are well prepared for the future.”

 

 

 

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