Foundations for Life Centre Centre |
The 'Foundations for Life Centre '(FFLC) is a further education life skills centre for young people with special needs in Comanesti, N.E. Romania.
It opened it's doors in 2008 and is located on the middle floor of a three storey building in the Zavoi district of Comanesti. The 'Robert Cole Centre', daycare centre for children with special needs from Kindergarten to year 8 (also set up by the 'Biggin Hill Romania Group', back in 1996), is housed on the ground floor of the same building. With the 'Polyclinic Zavoi', soon to open on the first floor wing. Students graduating from the RCC continue their education in the FFLC where there learn life skills such as needlework, crafts, cookery and IT. PHOTOS >> HELP >> DIARY >> |
Sandra Dolan says:
"The Foundations for Life Centre opened its doors to the first young people to graduate from The Robert Cole Centre in 2008. They were in fact the first twelve students to attend the RCC also, when it opened in 1997. Everyone was mightily impressed by the new premises; as well as brightly coloured warm classrooms, there was also a lounge and kitchen for leisure time, sparkling showers and toilets, bedrooms for visitors from England. The accommodation was both cheerful and comfortable. The refurbishment cost £27 000 in the end.
So we had excellent accommodation, but it was virtually empty. We had been led to believe that we would receive a grant of $40 000 for resources and equipment. Unfortunately that offer was withdrawn. Barclays Poole came to the rescue, providing a truck load of furniture, from chairs to notice boards. During the first year the youngsters had to spend a large proportion of their time having lessons in the local Special School. Gradually, again thanks to support from many quarters, particularly the very dedicated and generous team in Poole, we have been gathering equipment and materials. Classes in Woodwork, Art, Crafts, Textiles and ICT have been established. The students have sessions with the Nurse on Health and Hygiene. Social assistants teach Cookery and Home Management. The Education Authority provides continuing lessons in Romanian, Maths and Science in the Special School.
I am delighted to see the young people involved in such a variety of activities. The dream of preparing them for jobs, for looking after themselves and taking their place in the community is being realised. There is still work to be done; getting Ceramics up and running is Lyn’s current mission and I am sure she will succeed. We would like to set up a programme of work experience placements with local businesses. Some of our first class students have already found jobs, which is great. We have a garage/workshop, where the youngsters can learn about basic car maintenance. Our friends in Weston Underwood are supporting that project enthusiastically.
Beyond that, we would still like to install a lift to take children in wheelchairs to the first floor. So our work and fundraising is not yet complete.
Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all those who raised money to make the Foundations for Life Centre possible, especially Clare and Phil and our friends in Poole; to the BHRG committee members who have given unstintingly of their time and talents, some of them for nineteen years now; to our wonderful Romanian staff in both Centres, under the leadership of Delia and Cristina and to all our sponsors who play a major role in funding these two Centres. A huge thanks to you all."
"The Foundations for Life Centre opened its doors to the first young people to graduate from The Robert Cole Centre in 2008. They were in fact the first twelve students to attend the RCC also, when it opened in 1997. Everyone was mightily impressed by the new premises; as well as brightly coloured warm classrooms, there was also a lounge and kitchen for leisure time, sparkling showers and toilets, bedrooms for visitors from England. The accommodation was both cheerful and comfortable. The refurbishment cost £27 000 in the end.
So we had excellent accommodation, but it was virtually empty. We had been led to believe that we would receive a grant of $40 000 for resources and equipment. Unfortunately that offer was withdrawn. Barclays Poole came to the rescue, providing a truck load of furniture, from chairs to notice boards. During the first year the youngsters had to spend a large proportion of their time having lessons in the local Special School. Gradually, again thanks to support from many quarters, particularly the very dedicated and generous team in Poole, we have been gathering equipment and materials. Classes in Woodwork, Art, Crafts, Textiles and ICT have been established. The students have sessions with the Nurse on Health and Hygiene. Social assistants teach Cookery and Home Management. The Education Authority provides continuing lessons in Romanian, Maths and Science in the Special School.
I am delighted to see the young people involved in such a variety of activities. The dream of preparing them for jobs, for looking after themselves and taking their place in the community is being realised. There is still work to be done; getting Ceramics up and running is Lyn’s current mission and I am sure she will succeed. We would like to set up a programme of work experience placements with local businesses. Some of our first class students have already found jobs, which is great. We have a garage/workshop, where the youngsters can learn about basic car maintenance. Our friends in Weston Underwood are supporting that project enthusiastically.
Beyond that, we would still like to install a lift to take children in wheelchairs to the first floor. So our work and fundraising is not yet complete.
Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all those who raised money to make the Foundations for Life Centre possible, especially Clare and Phil and our friends in Poole; to the BHRG committee members who have given unstintingly of their time and talents, some of them for nineteen years now; to our wonderful Romanian staff in both Centres, under the leadership of Delia and Cristina and to all our sponsors who play a major role in funding these two Centres. A huge thanks to you all."
