The school in Mălăiești and the kindergarten in the village of Teiul, on the left bank of the Nistru, have been rehabilitated with the support of the EU and UNDP

On 22 May 2023, during a working visit, Magdalena Mueller-Uri, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in the Republic of Moldova, and Andrea Cuzyova, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova, met with representatives of both institutions, including children, students, and their parents.

In its 50 years of existence, the Teiul kindergarten had never undergone major repairs. In 2020, with the support of the EU and UNDP, renovations were done on the facade, the construction and repair of 5 summer pavilions, the installation of a rainwater drainage system, and the rehabilitation of gallery-type hall, including interior stairs. In 2022, the renovation process continued with the furnishing of classrooms, the transformation of a shed into a sports hall, and the refurbishment of the festive hall. Now, 65 children can enjoy the new conditions created in the preschool institution.

Magdalena Mueller-Uri, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in the Republic of Moldova, emphasized that "social infrastructure projects within the framework of EU Confidence Building Measures Programme are like a call to action, urging us to continue our unwavering commitment to education. The European Union, together with UNDP, will continue to strive for excellence, to provide an educational experience that empowers our students to reach for the stars, and to build a brighter future for generations to come."

"We are delighted with the investments made in the kindergarten. Now children come with pleasure, and I think that's the most important thing," said Svetlana Tofan, the director of the Teiul kindergarten.

Mălăiești school, attended by over 250 students, also underwent a series of renovations. The school canteen was repaired, the sports field was modernized and equipped for basketball, and two workshop classes were created for girls and boys. All of this was made possible with the support of the EU Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP.

"We at UNDP support social infrastructure initiatives on both banks of Nistru river, particularly those centered on education. Children have the right to enjoy comfortable conditions to play, learn and develop, while teachers and educators – to have better working conditions, helping them to guide younger generation on the pathway to a better future. UNDP and EU will continue to invest in social institutions, that bring people together," mentioned Andrea Cuzyova, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.

"The cafeteria was not functional and has not been repaired since the school was inaugurated in 1982. The stadium was not arranged, and children could not enjoy proper sports lessons and activities. Now everything looks different thanks to the support provided by the European Union and UNDP," stated Tatiana Poian, the director of Mălăiești school.

The EU Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP, contributes to the trust-building between residents on both banks of the Nistru river by involving them in joint development projects.