Ruhama Foundation, in partnership with the School Inspectorate of Bihor County, the Institution of Prefect - Bihor County and the University of Oradea, carried out along one month the activity of the 23 Summer Kindergartens in Roma communities of Bihor County. Although the project is a real success, the representatives of Ruhama Foundation consider that this type of activities is nothing more than an emergency alternative.

The activity of the 23 Summer Kindergartens was carried out between 1-24 August, when 520 Roma children learned that school is much more than... a building. Thus, the children guided by 100 teachers, young Roma teacher assistants and leaders of the Roma communities, unveiled the first secrets of learning. Among the children graduating the Summer Kindergartens, 300 will enroll in first grade and therefore, the Summer Kindergarten will help them by succeeding to prepare them for the school education process in some extent. The project is implemented with support from Roma Education Fund, which ensured together with the Local Councils the activity funding. The total amount of funding for this activity was 44.790 RON, out of which Ruhama Foundation's contribution was 22.690 RON and the rest was covered by the Local Councils. Although the Summer Kindergartens program was a success, the representatives of the foundation consider that much more should be done to integrate the Roma communities from Bihor. "The programs so far do not really have an impact in practice but more on paper. The Summer Kindergartens represent nothing but an emergency alternative solution because without them the children would not have a chance to adapt to school" has mentioned Marian Daragiu, the chairman of Ruhama Foundation. Mr. Daragiu has also incriminated local authorities for ignoring systematically the needs of the Roma communities, which "are struggling between poverty and despair" and need support from authorities.

source: Crisana