The kids meeting from the eLiberare community is another small step that our organization’s doing towards the great goal and vision it has: to raise awareness of human trafficking, to educate and to add value to the Romanian society.
The kids from the neighbourhood call us “the game room” and we simply call it “kids meeting” or “community room”.
We have around 20 participants weekly, and we welcome them with something to eat and fun games to play. But before we start the team activities or video games, we take 15 minutes and watch a video on different subjects (family violence, great dreams, humanity), and talk to them about that subject, trying to reach some conclusions of our own.
We were amazed at how open they are every time and of the nice way our conversations went, how the older kids learn to listen to the younger ones, how the kids are trying to find solutions to the problems the society has and how to slowly, slowly change it.
This week we tackled a sensitive subject in schools or the community of kids: harassing, making fun of people, bullying and the way in which they are affected when someone makes fun or taunts them.
As homework from the previous week, they had to think of a mini play to illustrate the above mentioned subject and the way in which they can be nicer towards the other children.
We were amazed at their involvement and the way in which they absorb information and knowledge like a sponge, how they open up their eyes and see that the deepest wounds are most of the times done by the mean words children say.
We enacted, in 2 teams, 2 mini plays: one about a boy being bullied at school for being a nerd, and another one in which a young boy way harassed by the older kids.
The top notch was the discussion with our guest from the Child Helpline Association. She talked with the kids about bullying, the Child Helpline and about the availability of the people on the other side of the helpline to talk about the problems the kids are having, no matter what they are.
This is what our guest wrote:
“Tonight I talked about the Child Helpline in a small community of kids from a Bucharest neighbourhood that chose to spend 2 hours a week learning and discovering new things.
“So you can call the Child Helpline for any problem?” asked me a 3rd grader. I told him he can. “Maybe I’ll call, because I like a classmate of mine and I don’t know how to tell her that”, he went on. “Maybe you can help me.”
The Child Helpline has been ringing for years to answer to questions, curiosities and problems children have.
I really like the little ones when they’re curious and ask me details about the Child Helpline and I’m glad to see adults realize how important the organization is for the million kids in Romania. Meetings like this one confirm that I chose to invest time and energy in an extraordinary cause, that feeds me spiritually more than I expected.”
Oana, volunteer at Child Helpline
Every Thursday afternoon, we enjoy a nice atmosphere and the satisfaction that we’re making small steps in leading others to a nice way in life.
And the even better news is that we like to work with volunteers from different domains. So, if you find our activities interesting, if you like working with kids, and you want to share what you already know, you can write us at info@eliberare.com
We wish you a beautiful day, filled with joy in your heart, and we hope you share with other people one of the beautiful things life taught you!
