Fundraising by Dauntsey’s Pupils Pays Dividends in Romanian Orphanage
During the summer holidays, 20 Lower Sixth pupils from Dauntsey’s School travelled to the Romanian town of Cernavoda to support Nightingales Children’s Project. Over a week, they ran a play scheme involving local street children and orphans, ranging in age from six months to 24 years. Most of the children live in poverty and have hugely complex emotional and sometimes behavioural problems. Some are quite severely disabled and many have HIV.
Each day was carefully planned by the Dauntsey’s pupils and given a theme such as ‘World Cup’, ‘healthy living’ and ‘British Day’. A wide range of activities were organised including face painting, crafts, cooking and dancing. The play scheme was financed by a range of fundraising activities organised by the pupils during the past year. Almost £8,000 was raised which, in addition to the play scheme, has enabled Dauntsey’s pupils to:
– Fund one of the Romanian girls through her University Physiotherapy course
– Start a small furniture building business for a small group of young men in Cernavoda
– Send a group of girls who are at risk of being trafficked on their first group holiday
– Support a local football team which aims to encourage positive behaviour in young men through sport
– Pay for central heating to be installed throughout the community centre, meaning it is now available to use all year round.
Hetty Sagers, one of the Dauntsey’s Sixth Form pupils who participated in the trip said:
“Getting to know the children and working with them was a real joy. They treasure so many things we take for granted and were so happy to see us every day.
“I will definitely return if there is an opportunity and the experience has given me a focus for the future – working with children is something I want to do and I hope to train as a childrens’ nurse when I leave school.”
If you would like any more information about Nightingales Children’s Project you will find it on their website – http://www.nightingaleschildrensproject.co.uk/index.php
For further information about Dauntsey’s School, go to www.dauntseys.org