The ADRA Romania team’s latest activities show the special interest they have for children and teenagers. As a result, two projects have already been completed in September - a seminar for the victims of domestic violence hosted at the ADRA Safe House and the re-launch of the project "I Want to Go to School".
On Wednesday, September 23, at the Adventist Development and Relief Agency’s central office a seminar on "drug effects" was organized by the team of psychologists from ADRA Safe House. The participants in the workshop were children of the victims of domestic violence. The program was animated by Mrs. Mariana Simbotiu and Mr. Marian Hoidrag, specialists in education and learning, at the Center for Drug Prevention, Evaluation and Counseling of the National Anti-Drug Agency.
Through this seminar, the teenagers were astonished by how easy it is to become addicted to some things, and of the long-term devastating effects of drug use. They were also taught that the depression from loneliness, the feeling of being misunderstood, specific to this age and caused also by the family environment can be overcome by many other healthy methods which will help them to build a strong and balanced personality and a character of integrity.
As for the second project, during the first day of the new school year 160 children across the country were supported and encouraged to attend school even if their social conditions made it difficult for them. This support was shown by providing each child a backpack with all the necessary materials and a package of food which they will receive every month.
The beneficiaries come from poor families with various problems and were selected through social surveys carried out by mayors and local collaborators of ADRA Romania. The distribution of supplies, besides ADRA volunteers, was attended by representatives of local authorities who gladly welcomed ADRA’s initiative. As usual, this event was covered by the local press.