Educational activities in the Girls’ Club of the project “Through education to decent jobs!”, Sibiu

Educational activities in the Girls’ Club of the project “Through education to decent jobs!”, Sibiu

The vulnerability of students in 4 to 6 grades to drop out of education and become mothers before their time, is well known, thus removing themselves from the opportunity to continue their education and obtain a dignified and suitable job.

With the help of two psychologists, Alexandra Banciu and Diana Maria Leu, employed in the project by the Association of Orthodox Philanthropy Sibiu (AFOS), for the counselling of these students, a Girls’ Club was set up in each partner school. Within each club, counselling sessions, games, interactive workshops and recreational activities were organised. The psychologists employed by AFOS have set themselves several objectives, their approach is intended to be as comprehensive as possible and uses established tools both at individual and group level, with the whole class, dedicated to reducing early school leaving through self-discovery and professional vocation.

Thus, since the summer vacation months create a break from the rhythm and rigors of school for students, there is a danger, especially for those who are about to start a new cycle of education (at the transition from 4th to 5th grade for example), AFOS counselors have supported to the girls enrolled in the project, offering them the opportunity to participate in weekly activities at school, where they have the opportunity to see each other, to keep in touch, to recreate, to learn new things, to discuss the issues that bother them.

Mrs. Alexandra Banciu offered details regarding the activities organized: “In June and July we carried out counseling activities for parents of students at risk of repeating the school year 2022-2023, and we proposed remedial solutions taking into account the learning difficulties and problems of the students. We explained to parents the importance of continuing education. We also dedicated 3 days a week to summer workshops. We provided the girls with games such as Twister, Mikado, Jenga, etc., we had a painting workshop where they were introduced to the technique of painting on canvas, an activity they wanted us to continue. We also watched an educational film together, “Inside out”, to identify and develop emotion management skills. The film “Turned inside out” makes us aware that natural life events, such as moving from kindergarten to school, then marriage, first child, moving to a different professional and financial status, naturally followed by retirement, are all important changes and all involve both fulfilment and some loss and suffering.

The message of the movie is that without sadness, there can be no joy and also that all our emotions are natural and have an adaptive role. After watching the film, there were discussions about how girls deal with difficult emotions. Another workshop was dedicated to the importance of healthy eating. The students created their own fruit salad recipe and discussed the importance of fruit consumption and healthy eating on physical and mental well-being. The activities proposed in July were well received by the girls, who enjoyed and engaged in the activities, with positive feedback of excitement and a desire for continued participation.”

Mrs. Diana Leu shared with satisfaction her conclusion on the effects of these activities carried out in schools: “It proves, by the number of participating students and by their joy to get involved, that by offering professionalism, empathy and consistency, we can achieve the noble goal of bringing a change for the better in the lives of as many families as possible, through the fine and complex work of giving up some wrong or vicious habits and mentalities, guiding us on the winding paths in life. We have seen how important it is to provide schools with the means for pupils and young people to learn organizational, communication, teamwork and coordination skills. This is the only way for them to discover and develop their native qualities and to enhance them through the art of education for life”.

The project continues throughout the school holidays, and activities for senior pupils will resume with the new school year in September 2023, when the AFOS team will also be expanded with new counsellors to interact with teachers and boys from vulnerable groups.

Source: www.mitropolia-ardealului.ro