Child refugees from Ukraine can use lecture clubs, Romanian language classes, recreational activities at the Happy Bubble centres run by World Vision Romania, according to forms provided by the organisation. Five Happy Bubble centres are open in Romania – 4 in Bucharest and one in Iasi.
- EduCare is a Fundatia Bosch Romania project in partnership with Edupedu.ro providing correct information and data in the field of education, which have been obtained from official sources and verified. The voice of the community is also listened to as interaction with Ukrainian refugees should be real and natural.
- Edupedu.ro has invited organisations involved in educational projects of support for Ukrainian refugees to make their programs known.
The centres are organised to offer daily assistance to Ukrainian families, especially children, by using the Child Friendly Spaces model developed by World Vision on the basis of an international methodology, which is used in several regions of the world where refugees are living.
These provide a safe, calm and comfortable environment so that children can at least partially find the play and educational routine they used to have at home, as World Vision says. The children participating in daily activities are provided with snacks and a hot meal. By request, parents also benefit of support for social and labor market integration.
The list of main activities provided by the centres: child care and supervision, reading club, Romanian language classes for children and adults, thematic workshops for life skills development, cultural and recreational activities, visits and trips, anniversary parties, material support and occasional financial assistance.
Children receive educational support and have access to learning materials and Internet-connected tablets.
People willing to join can use the following email address: happybubblero@gmail.com (the centre they opt for should be mentioned).
The program of the 5 Happy Bubble Centres:
1. Happy Bubble Brancusi Centre
Address (in Romanian for ease of use): Aleea Pasărea de Aur, nr. 52, Sector 6, Bucureşti;
Programme: 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Contact person: Marius Tomescu – 0762.667.234
Main activities: child care and supervision, reading club, Romanian language classes for children and adults, thematic workshops for life skills development, cultural and recreational activities, games, visits and trips, anniversary parties, material support and occasional financial assistance.
Day care services for:
- Preschool children, normal hours: (8:30 – 12:30) – 15 seats;
- Preschool children, long hours: (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) – 10 seats;
- School children: online school (8:00 – 12:00) and after school (12:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m) – 25 seats. School children receive educational support, access to Internet-connected tablets and keyboard with headphones, learning materials..
- Hot meal provided at noon and snacks for children who attend the saily activities of the centre.
- By request, parents benefit from support for social and Labor market integration.
2. Happy Bubble Drumul Taberei Centre
Address (in Romanian for ease of use): Str. Valea Boteni, nr. 7, Sector 6, Bucureşti;
Programme: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Contact Person: Radu Mihai Constantin – 0735209148
Main activites: child care and supervision, reading club, Romanian language classes for children and adults, thematic workshops for life skills development, cultural and recreational activities, games, visits and trips, anniversary parties, material support and occasional financial assistance.
Day care services for:
- School children: online school (8:00 – 12:00) and after school (12:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) – 25 seats.
Children receive educational support, access to Internet-connected tablets and keyboard with headphones, learning materials.
- Hot meal provided at noon and snacks for children who attend the daily activities of the centre.
- By request, parents benefit from support for social and Labor market integration.
3. Happy Bubble Tei Centre
Address (in Romanian for ease of use): Complexul Cultural Sportiv Studenţesc, Str. Olteţului, nr. 30, Sector 2, Bucureşti;
Programme: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Main activities: social and educational activities, Romanian language classes for children and adults, acting and dance classes, weekly trips.
Contact person: Tania Druga – 0753 108 531
Day care services for:
- Preschool children, normal hours: (8:30 – 12:30) – 15 seats;
- School children: online school (8:00 – 12:00) and after school (12:00 a.m, – 4:00 p.m.) – 25 seats. Children receive educational support, access to Internet-connected tablets and keyboard with headphones, learning materials.
- Hot meal provided at noon and snacks for children who attend the daily activities of the centre.
- By request, parents benefit from support for social and Labor market integration.
4. Happy Bubble Romexpo Centre
Adress (in Romanian for ease of use): Bulevardul Mărăști, nr. 65-67, Sector 1, București (near the Expo Center).
Activities: Reading club, Romanian language classes for children and adults, IT classes, thematic workshops, weekly trips.
Programne: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Main activities: social and educational activities, Romanian language classes for children and adults, acting and dance workshops, weekly trips.
Contact person: Brandusa Radoanca – 0723 606 402
Day care services for:
- Pre-school children, normal hours: (8:30 – 12:30) – 15 seats;
- School children: online school (8:00 – 12:00) and after school (12:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) – 25 locuri. Children receive educational support, access to Internet-connected tablets and keyboard with headphones, learning materials.
- Hot meal provided at noon and snacks for children who attend the daily activities of the centre.
- By request, parents benefit from support for social and Labor market integration.
IAȘI: Happy Bubble Nicolina Centre
Address (in Romanian for ease of use): Şos. Nicolina nr.141, Iaşi.
Activities: Romanian language classes for children and adults, dance, drawing and sport workshops.
Programme: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Main activities: social and educational activities, Romanian language classes for children and adults, acting and dance classes, weekly trips.
Contact person: Mihaela Munteanu – 0740 513 864
Day care services for:
- School children: on-line school (9:00 – 12:00) and after school (12:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) – 25 seats. Children receive educational support, access to Internet-connected tablets and keyboard with headphones, learning materials.
- Hot meal provided at noon and snacks for children who attend the daily activities of the centre.
- By request, parents benefit from support for social and Labor market integration.
Irina Semeniuk, Ukrainian refugee, on the Happy Bubble centre: We feel at home
Irina Semeniuk has left Odessa with her two children and the memories of a quiet life, But also with the pain of parting with her dear ones. She keeps her Hope of returning home. Until then, the actities of the Happy Bubble Centre – Tei help soothe her sadness.
We feel like home [at Happy Bubble], she says with a hopeful smile.
What she most appreciates are the classes provided for the children, especially the fun activities bringing smiles back even for a short while.
“Children are extremely happy, these moments are memorable. They provide a feeling of being home. The joy of our children also fills our heart with joy,” Irina says.
She says “the center is very important because our children can develop themselves artistically and learn new things from various areas. They learn Romanian, [mathematics], dance and acting.”
Not knowing the language of the country you live in makes it very hard to earn a living and integrate socially. To this extent, Irina says she has received help she had not dared to hope for from World Vision Romania, through their Romanian language classes.
“For us adults it is just as important to learn Romanian because we want to make connections with people in Romania. Additionally, speaking the language allows us to find jobs. World Vision also helps us financially, by providing everything necessary, and we are grateful for it”.
The Partners of World Vision in the project are: PepsiCo Romania, Deloitte Romania, Romanian United Fund, Fundaţia Diaconia – Protoieria Sector 6 Capitala, Parohia Brancusi, DGASPC Sector 6, FONSS.
Matei Pop
