Community Centres Case Study

Cristina had to start school later because of sight problems and low income of her family, who couldn’t afford the school supplies. At the age of 8, she eventually went to school. After the first two grades, the family’s financial problems made her stay out of school for a longer period of time and eventually she was expelled. The following year, she wanted to go back to school, but she couldn’t be enrolled, as she was older than the school enrolment age.
As she had forgotten most of what she had learnt in the first two grades, she had to follow a literacy course at the Community Centre where she was taught to read and write. The FRCCF social worker and the physician helped the family get eyeglasses for the girl to correct her strabismus.

The girl attended psychological counselling getting her ready to start a new school year and integrate into the classmates’ group.

At the beginning of the school year, FRCCF and the girl’s parents succeeded in enrolling the child in a special class which would help her acquire a third grader’s knowledge. These studies are recognised by any regular school, thus she will have no problems getting in the 4th grade. FRCCF offered her a school bag and school supplies, which solved some of the family’s financial problems caused by the beginning of a new school year.

The girl has started school. She says she likes it and she is happy to be a student again. She is looking forward to finishing this school year and going back to the neighbourhood school.

Rural Community Development Programme Case Study

Lucian is a 7-year-old boy living with his parents in Domanesti. He is an only child. His father worked for different construction companies but he has been unemployed since the beginning of the year. His mother is a housewife. The three of them live in an old house, owned by the boy’s grandmother.

The child is suffering from a disease called Perthes. One leg is shorter than the other due to a damaged bone. He fell when he was younger and the disease was diagnosed after the fall, three years ago. As the parents couldn’t afford the expensive treatment the child received the medication from FRCCF. This, however, didn’t put an end to the health problem. As Lucian was growing up, there was a constant difference between his legs.

During family visits, the social worker found out the child needed an orthosis, which lengthens the leg. The orthosis is very expensive, impossible for his parents to buy. The social worker contacted the Health Insurance Department, which however could not cover the amount right then. FRCCF lent the family the money for the deposit, and at the beginning of the year the Health Insurance Department could buy the orthosis for the child.

The results are simply remarkable. The shorter leg has slightly lengthened. The healing process takes time, but it is not out of reach. Lucian will have one day the chance to be as healthy as many other children.

Child Migration Case Study

Danut is 14 and lives with his mother, two siblings and his maternal grandfather in a small house from a village in the Oas area. His older sister works abroad and the four family members live on the grandfather’s pension and the child benefits of the two minors. His father lives elsewhere and hasn’t been interested in the children for quite some time now. His mother worked abroad too and has recently come back.

The grandfather took care of the children while the mother was away. During that period, Danut had many discipline problems at school and eventually abandoned it, after the 7th grade. Last year he stole some money and he is still being investigated on that.

The boy’s behaviour has improved a lot after the mother came back, five months ago. Unfortunately, she is thinking to go back.

The FRCCF team – social worker, psychologist and legal adviser – intervened and counselled the child and family in order to change Danut’ delinquent behaviour and improve the relationship he had with his mother. Moreover, attempts were made to reach the father, who said he would like to visit the children. The mother has realised how important it is for her to stand by her children and decided to stay home and find a job here.

Meanwhile, the older sister insisted on Danut’ going and working in France. After going through the pros and cons, the consequences and alternatives, the mother and child decided that the best thing for him would be to stay home and finish school.

This autumn, the boy will go to the school in the commune, and his mother is already working on probation for a bakery. Thanks to the FRCCF intervention, the family will stay together, and the child will be less exposed to the risk of becoming a second offender.

Institution-Based Programme Case Study

Marian was institutionalised at the Popesti Placement Centre with his two younger brothers. In November 2004, his brothers were placed with a family from another town. Unfortunately, nobody thought of how much this separation would affect Marian. The decision was made by the committee legally authorised to decide on the children’s guardianship. This committee decided that Marian should stay at the placement centre until he would graduate helping school and join his siblings only afterwards.
The FRCCF social worker and the placement centre psychologist talked to Marian to see the impact the sudden separation from his brothers had on him. Later, the placement centre management was called upon to mediate Marian’s contacts with his brothers. At the moment, he visits his siblings on weekends. Psychological counselling helped Marian understand that the separation from his brothers was only temporary. In this case, the FRCCF intervention aimed at reducing the negative impact the separation had on the three brothers.
The FRCCF social worker will continue to monitor Marian’s adjustment to this new situation and will make sure the three brothers stay in touch.