GFFO – News

On a magical December evening, Galaxy Arena in Iasi became the place of an unforgettable experience for 20 young people and children from Bucium Residential Centre, Ukrainian orphan refugees, beneficiaries of the project “GFFO Contribution to the IOM Regional Appeal for Ukraine and Neighbouring Countries – 2023”. Surrounded by technology and the joy of play, they spent three hours with the AIDRom team from Iasi, full of laughter, digital adventure and camaraderie..

During the activity, they had the opportunity to relax and forget for a few moments about their hardships, simply enjoying each other’s company, games and a meal with friends. In the midst of the digital world, they were all curious and enthusiastic children, gathered together to create magical memories that will shine in our hearts for a long time to come.

Christmas Flower Workshop

“Christmas Gift”: 6 interactive workshops for 120 Romanian and Ukrainian children

AIDRom team from Galati, involved in the ”GFFO contribution to the IOM regional appeal for Ukraine and neighboring countries” project is preparing a Christmas surprise for 120 Romanian and Ukrainian children. Through the partnership with the Children’s Palace in Galati, 60 Ukrainian and 60 Romanian children will participate in 6 artistic workshops over three days, from 15 to 17 December 2023.

The little ones will explore together various art forms, including painting, sculpture, and winter holiday decorations, in workshops on modeling, crafts, decorative candles, Byzantine (icons, sacred symbols), printmaking/engraving, and “winter icing” (gingerbread decorating). Coordinated by Alina Rus, sculpture and graphics teacher at the Children’s Palace, Laura Cuțov, a gingerbread decoration enthusiast, XX and colleagues from AIDRom, the children will create small works of art, icons, sacred symbols, greeting cards, decorative candles, graphics, wood engraving and painting on textiles. To showcase the creativity and talent of the young participants, our colleagues will also organise an exhibition where their friends and families can admire the talent and creativity of these young artists.

”Participating in these workshops gives children the opportunity to develop their creativity and artistic skills and helps promote intercultural dialogue and friendship between the two communities. We have prepared these workshops with a lot of heart where Romanian and Ukrainian children will play together, learn and work together. All the colleagues and the beautiful and kind people from the Children’s Palace generously offered their time and knowledge. The AIDRom team bought all the basic materials for each workshop and I will make the cookies myself”, says Valentina Mihăluță, Social Pedagogue AIDRom, Galati, coordinator of this event.

Mothers from Ukraine and Romania will judge the children’s works, and the authors of the best “rated works of art” will be rewarded with small symbolic prizes, representative of the workshop in which they participated.

The festive atmosphere will be entertained by the children’s choir “Stropi de Bucurie”, coordinated by Lucia Stoica. The voices of 30 children, aged 5 to 16, will bring the Christmas spirit through traditional Romanian carols.

The event will bring the magic of Christmas, celebrated this year for the first time at the same time by Romanians and Ukrainians will bring joy to children who will receive gifts and will contribute to the bonding of friendships and a better integration of the two communities.

We thank the representatives of the Students’ Cultural Centre of Galati for hosting the event, the Children’s Palace who will teach the children the mysteries of the crafts of each workshop, the choir “Strop de bucurie” and the AIDRom Galati team who make such an event possible.

Emotions in clay

Using their hands, skills, and emotions, 20 Ukrainian refugees from Iași tried to prove the relevance of the famous Cuban writer José Martí (1853-1895), according to which “love makes clay a miracle”, but also of the principles he dedicated his life to: freedom, tolerance, and love, essential in the turmoil of the Eastern European present as well as in Cuba at the end of the 19th century. The pottery and clay modeling session took place on Monday, November 13, 2023, at the headquarters of Atelier Poteca in Iași, whose representatives we thank for the warmth with which they welcomed the Ukrainian beneficiaries of the project “GFFO contribution to the IOM regional appeal for Ukraine and neighboring countries”.

50 Ukrainian refugees explore the history and natural beauty of Vrancea County

50 refugees from Ukraine, beneficiaries of the project GFFO contribution to the IOM Regional Appeal for Ukraine and neighbouring countries – 2023, explored fascinating pages of Romanian history and culture. The trip organized in Vrancea County by our colleagues from AIDRom Galați Centre on September 26, 2023 was an opportunity for the displaced people from Ukraine to better understand the country that welcomed them with open arms in these difficult times for them. The places visited, the Mausoleum of Mărăști, the house of Moș Ion Roată in Câmpuri, the Mausoleum of Soveja and the Putna waterfall in Lepșa, brought “to life” a piece of history and revealed the natural beauty of the place that delighted the participants. Proof of this are the messages of thanks received by our colleagues from Galati:

”Good morning, Valentina.  I was with you on my first trip, I loved it.  Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity. Huge thanks to all the organisers and girls for an unforgettable holiday.”

”I want to express my gratitude for an interesting and informative trip, a delicious meal and very beautiful views To all the organizers, companions, chefs who fed us a delicious meal, a big thank you for the tripI was with you on my first trip, I enjoyed it very much.  Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity. Huge thanks to all the organisers and girls for an unforgettable holiday.”

This educational and socio-cultural activity supports the main objective of the project GFFO contribution to the IOM Regional Appeal for Ukraine and neighbouring countries – 2023, funded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to support Ukrainian and other third-country nationals who have received temporary protection or another form of international protection on the territory of Romania.