Mia's Children Foundation, Inc.

I just recently found the following article in a Romanian newspaper. It talks about the problems with students finishing school and getting an education in Romania.

I am so proud that all 30 or so children from 5 thru 19 at the mission have a craving for learning. When we started, basically education was one of the dreams that we had for the kids. With the school system in Bucharest, we didn’t know where that would lead. Our kids had to be accepted into the schools, many did not have the proper documents necessary. School supplies and books had to be bought. In Romania books are not provided to the students. Much legwork, as well as study work, had to be done by Mia and Costel to ensure enrollment of our kids. But they did not give up. With the help of the Lord, they got the kids in school.

Now look, our kids are articulate, intelligent, educated young people and children, interested in art and music as well. We have 2 at the University of Bucharest, 6 or more in Skill Schools, all the younger ones in classes. What an awesome work God has done. Thank you for your support and prayers for Mia’s Children.

NINE O’CLOCK, THE WEB EDITION
20 pc of pupils abandon school
Almost half of the high school graduates do not have a baccalaureate diploma, while 16 per cent of the fourth grade pupils do not understand a written text. These are the conclusions of the report of the Ministry of Education regarding the state of the Ro
published in issue 4294 page 6 at 2008-10-21
The report shows that 49 per cent of the high school graduates do not have a baccalaureate diploma, while 22 per cent of the kids do not go to kindergarten, and 16 per cent of the fourth grade pupils are unable to understand a written text. School dropping is by far the most serious problem with which the Romanian educational system is confronted. The past year alone, almost 20 per cent of the pupils abandoned school, although the European Union average is almost 15 per cent.

The rate of participation of the population aged 5-29 to all the levels of education continues to place Romania on the last place compared to the other European countries, except for Bulgaria. The average school frequency duration increased by 1.7 years in 2000-2007 and by 0.3 years in 2007 compared to 2006, rising to 16.3 years. The graduation rate is not better either. According to the data of the Ministry of Education from two years ago, only 61 per cent of the Romanian eighth grade pupils have graduated school.

The number of pupils is rising. The teaching staff decreases.

We have some news: Four from our girls: Gabriela, Mihaela Ilie, Andreea Ilie, Nicoleta Ilie passed over the exams at Romanian Radio Chorus!!! We have four gifted girls entered in such high level! And John took 3 medals at International Marathon! He was at TV!
Friday we’ll have the ball with Rotary Club. We’ll have to show some paintings and some songs and a dance, a waltz. We created the dance together after the melody: “these are some of my favourite things “performed by Julie Andrews.

Today we had the meeting with Princess Margareta of Romania ‘s Foundation. It was a project where people from different generation could be together. There were theatre, music, paintings, an open door to the old people to be around young people and to young people to interact with the old people. There were many children sponsored by them, with different gifts. We were asked to welcome Her majesty. All the children were so special but our children were so sweet, clean, smart, well educated, full of a special light, the blessings of Lord upon them! the Princess was so touch by the way we welcomed Her. Then we performed in front of Her and over 100 of people. She loved it! I told her some words and the kids thank Her. When we went out from the hall, she told me “Congratulation! you are doing a wonderful work!” Then, she saw the part from the exhibit where our children had the paintings. She stopped and asked who did them? She said “These are so beautiful and special!” When she found are made by the same nice children who just sing she smiled so nicely. Again she told me that what we do is so nice, so well done and congratulated us! They have two daily centers, but with many volunteers, a lot of workers, many teachers and people are involved. We never though we might be at the same level with them, but look, we have such a confirmation that the work we do it’s a good one! Praise God!
Marius will be sponsored by their foundation for one year study at a special Art Academy, to be prepared for a next exam. Bogdan started the university, in a program where we need not to pay for first year. He works and learn in same time. Costy is doing the same thing, but he has to pay the first year.
Gabriela and Mihaela are so sweet and they want to learn so much. They over work to show their love for school, that they almost finished as much as for several months of school! they are so funny!
The five boys at kindergarten are so funny, too. They love it and everybody love them, tell that they are the most well-behaved, educated children they ever met!