A number of 89 children of Ratus village of Criuleni district will benefit from better conditions at the local kindergarten that was renovated and outfitted within the program of technical and financial assistance provided by the Government of Romania for preschool education institutions of the Republic of Moldova. A sum of 110,000 lei was allocated to the kindergarten in Ratus from the grant provided by the Government of Romania, while the mayor’s office contributed over 48,000 lei, IPN reports.

Attending the inauguration, Romania’s Ambassador Daniel Ionita said the works were carried out in accordance with the European standards. “We want these wonderful children to grow up in good conditions and to contribute to building the European course of the Republic of Moldova,” stated the diplomat.

Mircea Esanu, executive director of the Moldova Social Investment Fund, said the kindergarten was practically fully renovated and has now a new roof and windows, a new heating system and furniture. Until two winters ago, this was heated with stoves and only a part of the building was heated. The renovation works lasted for one year and four months.

Mayor of Ratus Petru Buza stated that the kindergarten was in a rather bad state of repair and huge costs were incurred for heating it and for electricity. The building wasn’t thermally insulated. The windows were old and rain poured in when it rained because the roof was damaged. Mold appeared on walls as a result. The kitchen and sanitary facilities were old.

The money was used to renovate the sanitary and cooking facilities. The medical office was connected to the water supply system. The boiler room and methodological office were renovated. The kindergarten was outfitted with ramps to ensure the access of children with disabilities and with special educational needs.

To renovate and equip Moldovan kindergartens, the Government of Romania allocated €26 million. The money has been used to refurbish 832 kindergartens in the Republic of Moldova.