The scheme that the partnership Kirkens Bymisjon / Fundatia Adina Stiftelsen runs in Goiesti outside the city of Craiova is well-proven in Bergen. But can the ideas be transferred to a periphery in another country? It has exceeded all expectations. The municipality makes premises available, our minibus picks up and brings large and small and the operation is financed with funds from the EEA.
Full speed. The children come with adults once a week to Open Kindergarten. Alexandra Mitracha (27) says that through the play here she has discovered new sides in her boy. According to the mother, the explanation is that in kindergarten they have the opportunity to unfold in a completely different way than at home. Most are controlled by mothers and children, but with them are professionals who make sure that no small troll is left on the sidelines. There is no question of ethnic origin, everyone is equal and equally welcome.
The scheme that the partnership Kirkens Bymisjon / Fundatia Adina Stiftelsen runs in Goiesti outside the city of Craiova is well-proven in Bergen. But can the ideas be transferred to a periphery in another country? It has exceeded all expectations. The municipality makes premises available, our minibus picks up and brings large and small and the operation is financed with funds from the EEA.
Full speed. The children come with adults once a week to Open Kindergarten. Alexandra Mitracha (27) says that through the play here she has discovered new sides in her boy. According to the mother, the explanation is that in kindergarten they have the opportunity to unfold in a completely different way than at home. Most are controlled by mothers and children, but with them are professionals who make sure that no small troll is left on the sidelines. There is no question of ethnic origin, everyone is equal and equally welcome.
Active school environment. In the area that is close to the kindergarten in Goiesti, people live scattered, and public transport is rather small. An interesting and pleasant side effect of the whole project is that mothers of young children get to know each other. New relationships are built and the mothers become part of an active school environment - as we Norwegians know that a real district school can work.
Good contacts. - The lessons in the kindergarten give us a little break, says Alexandra. She sits on the floor and follows a toddler who really unfolds in play with peers. The family lives two kilometers away from the school, but Alexandra does not know many in the local community. During the visits to the kindergarten, Alexandra has had good contact with a mother of small children of the same age - Geta Motacanu (27).
Great-grandmother dances. The oldest on the floor is Cati Serbanciu (70). Great-grandmother poses when mom and dad are busy. And Cati does not shy away from any rounds of folk dancing and traditional toys. The oldest - and the young mothers participate in an environment where the kids have a great time, and the adults get tips and thoughts to take home.
Free food. Parents who have children in Open Kindergarten must enter into a contract with the Adina Foundation. This is partly due to the fact that the children and the adults get a meal, and the food is ordered from outside. The meal is an important element in the whole program and everything is free for children and mothers. It is not a given that all children get enough food at home. The money invested in the project is used with maximum dividend.
TEXT AND PHOTO: MAGNE REIGSTAD
