One of our corporate goals is to forge public/private partnerships to promote life transformation in local municipalities. As it turns out, the Tran municipality applied for and won EU funding for a community center for at risk families. They called on us for help implementing the programs on offer through the center. We were happy to help!
EU Grant for Tran Municipality
There are three major parts to the EU grant in Tran. The first part is for physical renovation of a former school building to be used as the community center. This is an important investment and simply would not have been possible without outside help.
The second part is for organization and staffing of the community center, with funding for about 10 months of operations. Again, this just wouldn’t be possible without third party funding. Unemployment is high here, and the funding boost has given the municipality an opportunity to get something started which otherwise never could have gotten off the ground.
The third part is for programs which may be paid or unpaid. The center has a pretty long list of activities and courses in its schedule. Some will stick, others won’t. One of the most important things to accomplish over the next 6 months is to determine what mix of activities will be popular, useful and sustainable. Having the EU grant gives them the flexibility to try things they might not otherwise be able to put forth, some of which might very well become long term activities offered through the center.
When we met with the director she told us that as soon as she found out she had gotten the job, she made a note to call us to see how we could be involved.
During the week of our Rockin’ English day camp, we also spent time each day helping out at the community center. It helps that we already knows many of the staff through long term involvement in the community. Beni organized materials for crafts and participated with the kids. Bobby took some of the kids outside to teach them how to throw a Frisbee, in anticipation of starting a Frisbee club in the fall.
Three months ago we only dreamed of having more regular, organized contact with the kids in Tran. Now we have more opportunities than we can handle!
We will continue to help at the center into the school year, and hope to develop ongoing programs in partnership with the municipality to improve the lives of families and children at risk.
