Refugee children and adults of Roma ethnicity from Ukraine, hosted at five temporary placement centers in Moldova, attend Romanian language courses. In addition to studying Romanian, refugees also learn rules of behavior in the community, thanks to a project implemented by the Tarna Rom NGO.

“It’s not just children who are invited to the refugee literacy class. Adults are also invited, and not only ethnic Roma, but also other refugees of other ethnicities who are temporarily accommodated in these centers”, said Nina Cușnir, project coordinator at Tarna Rom, during a press conference on Wednesday.

The Romanian language courses are attended by refugees from placement centers in Chisinau, Cojușna, Costești, Ungheni and Glodeni. “The teachers involved in the project came with an open heart, without discrimination, for them it doesn't matter if the child is ethnically Roma or Ukrainian. And this approach is reflected in the results obtained by those who attend the trainings”, said Nina Cușnir.

The classes are held from Monday to Friday in the afternoon, so that as many people as possible have access to them. Currently, 94 children and 11 adults attend them. “It is a project with a very positive impact. Among the attendees are also children who have never held a pen in their hand, do not know how to sit behind a classroom desk. Although at the beginning some children had behavioral problems, they have adapted and are eager to acquire new knowledge”, noted Nina Cușnir.

Marin Alla, director of Tarna Rom, stated that thanks to this project, refugee children from Ukraine are given the opportunity to learn the Romanian language and to know what school is. It is a preparatory stage for school. At the same time, parents are also encouraged to understand the purpose of education.

The project is implemented in partnership with UNHCR Moldova.