![TASIS Students volunteer at Romanian Children’s Relief program]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1582886508/tasisengland/bu4fhs0okipey785tdd0/RomanianTRIP.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1582886508/tasisengland/bu4fhs0okipey785tdd0/RomanianTRIP.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1582886508/tasisengland/bu4fhs0okipey785tdd0/RomanianTRIP.jpg","width":800}])
During this past February break, eighteen Upper School students travelled to Bistrita, Romania, to volunteer with children in the Romanian Children's Relief (RCR) programs. This is the 21st year of our association with this wonderful charity. Many of the students were returning for their second, third, or fourth time!
During this past February break, eighteen Upper School students travelled to Bistrita, Romania, to volunteer with children in the Romanian Children's Relief (RCR) programs. This is the 21st year of our association with this wonderful charity. Many of the students were returning for their second, third, or fourth time! The teachers joining the trip were Ms. Gordon, Mr. Amrol, Ms. Macias and Ms. Gediman, who was visiting RCR for her 18th trip!
Our students were amazing! Each and every one of them approached every child, no matter what their special needs were, with an open heart and an open mind. The interactions were so meaningful, not only to our students, but to the children receiving their love and care.
Our students also worked each day with Roma children, either in their schools in a nearby village, or in an afterschool program in Bistrita. They helped with homework, English lessons, and games. Our students have built up a special bond with the children and they were greeted like old friends when we met up.
After a hard-days work, we enjoyed participating in some lovely evening meals, and traditional Romanian food, and received wonderful hospitality from the RCR staff, who even cooked us a meal one evening. We also had dinner with Eileen McHenry, the Executive Director of RCR, who was visiting Romania.
The students also got to visit a Romanian home and spend time with a young lady named Gabriela, who was adopted as a baby by a local family. She is now 18 and speaks very good English. She has become friends with many of our students, and her entire family was there to share their news with us.
During their visit, students got to view the documentary, "Hand Held", which is the story of how Romanian Children's Relief began. On Thursday, we celebrated the close of the week with a special banquet dinner with the whole RCR staff, and on the final evening, we met with staff and children from the Roma program and enjoyed an evening meal and bowling together.
RCR club members will take part in a new program beginning this Sunday. The program is an association with White Lodge, a local special needs center. Our students will volunteer for 3 hours to work with children aged 4-12 with different special needs.
To learn more about the Romanian Children's Relief Service Trip, please get in contact with Ms. Wendy Gediman.