How do you think our themed workshops started? With smiles, emotions and a lot of openness, that is, in the most natural way. The participants, volunteers and the team got to know each other, became friends in the blink of an eye and thus spent wonderful moments together, giving a very good start to a journey that looks beautiful and very useful.
We therefore started the thematic workshops within the project “From Pupil To Employee: Advocacy and Training for Youth and Women at Risk in Dolj county”, intended for young people (V13 program) and women (EMPO program). Dozens of young men and women actively participated in creative workshops, professional development, sports or the development of basic digital skills. Relationships were created almost instantly between the participants, the team and the volunteers, thanks to the openness they all showed. And it was not only openness, there was also a lot of involvement from all the participants because at these thematic workshops they experienced continuously and at a high level what they lack in the social interactions they have in their everyday life. It is about fundamental needs of the human being, such as the need for attention, manifested by being seen, heard, but also listened to, by being appreciated because you are human and thus have unconditional value. The reactions of the participants show us that the road we are on is a good one, and the approach is the most appropriate.
We are just at the beginning, but we start with enthusiasm and confidence that we will learn a lot of useful things together, experientially, creating a cohesive and harmonious group: us, the foundation team, our volunteers and, of course, the project participants. Until now, we have been joined by volunteers from different fields, with different specializations, but all inspired and guided by the same desire to change people’s lives, and thus the world, for the better. We are glad to have them with us and thank them wholeheartedly for their valuable contribution.
Because we want the atmosphere in Adina Home to be familiar, relaxed, natural, we chose for the first workshops to focus on interpersonal relationships between volunteers and participants. And because all our workshops have a strongly participatory component, the activities of each workshop are decided by mutual agreement, by all the actors involved. By choosing this way of action, we offer participants a deep sense of trust, we want them to feel listened to, understood, valued. We believe this is the only approach by which they can be encouraged and supported to set out on their best path.
At the Women’s Workshops (EMPO), they confidently and easily shared their experiences and difficulties they encountered both in their personal lives and in their job search. Most have secondary education and married early. They had to give up their dreams, their aspirations, all their energy and attention, giving it exclusively to their family: husbands and children. Brave Carmen raised her hand and said in one breath: “I, even at this age, am ready to start a new path, even to go to college. My child made me see things differently, and my husband’s unconditional support gave me the confidence that I can.”
At the workshops dedicated to young people (V13), they freely discussed the difficulties they encounter, the problems each of them faces, but also the generation they belong to and their ability to overcome these obstacles. They also talked about their interests, jobs/future jobs, but each also said what hobbies they have. All this happened during the creative and sports workshops, in an atmosphere full of trust and openness, one that young people don’t really have the opportunity to enjoy in everyday life. Valentin’s frankness was impressive and extremely moving: “Since when have I heard that I am also doing something good! Usually all I hear is that I’m good for nothing.”
There are not enough words to thank the volunteers who made these workshops such a huge success. Our volunteers are teachers, an advisory member of the “Home Start” program, as well as a former participant of the same program – an invaluable presence, an extraordinary example of success. They opened up to the participants, shared their experiences and gave them confidence, showing them that people care about people. The message delivered by the volunteers and very well received by young people and women alike was that we all mirror each other and it is natural to support each other, we are all human so we have nothing to fear.
The project is carried out by the Adina Stiftelsen Foundation in partnership with Adina Stiftelsen Bergen and Stiftelsen Kirkens Bymisjon Bergen, with the financial support of Active Citizens Fund Romania, a program financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Grants 2014-2021.
The Adina Stiftelsen Foundation is a non-governmental, apolitical organization active in the field of social welfare, established as an independent legal entity in 2004. The Adina Stiftelsen Foundation is accredited as a provider of social services and is active in the provision of educational services to prevent school dropouts in rural areas of Dolj county.
Vision
Mission
Values
Non-discrimination: we are all one
Professionalism: we have expertise and experience and we benefit from the know-how of the best professionals in education
Respect for diversity and human dignity
TESTIMONIES
Children's testimonies
Being a beneficiary of Adina Stiftelsen Foundation is a great experience because I had the chance to meet beautiful people with plenty of live experience. I am more sociable and open to new opportunities because of the Educational Program. I use the monthly scholarship to pay for transportation to school.
Braitor Ilie Valentin
- beneficiary of the Educational Program
I never thought that play could be so important. These are the best hours of the week. Domnica, mother (36 years old) - beneficiary of the Open Kindergarten Program
Partners
