Access to early childhood education for more children in Ungheni

A colourful world, in which interactive games bring happiness and knowledge. This is what the more than 140 children in ‘Delia’ kindergarten, which expanded its activity facilities with the support of the ‘EU4Moldova: Focal Regions’ program, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP and UNICEF, are benefiting from. More specifically, the kindergarten was equipped with additional furniture and teaching materials, so that more and more children from Ungheni district can benefit equally from quality pre-school educational services.

‘This year we had a very high number of applications from parents. Moreover, both last year and this year, we also had applications from Ukrainian refugee families. Therefore, we realised we did not have enough space to offer access to a higher number of children,’ says Anna Cersac, head teacher of the kindergarten. In this context, with the support of the local public authorities, repair works were carried out to open an additional class.

‘We requested additional funding for furniture, and the mayor said we will receive support, but at a later stage. I didn’t want to wait. I knew that UNICEF always supports requests related to children’s education and offers consolidated support to refugee families, this is why we applied to the ‘EU4Moldova: Focal Regions’ program. After a short time, my application was accepted and the whole process was smooth and fast,’ the head teacher accounts.

This way, another 15 children from Ungheni were enrolled in the new ‘Cricket’ class, equipped through the ‘EU4Moldova: Focal Regions’ program. ‘Almost every child comes to the kindergarten sad, because they are being separated from their parents, but if the class is colourful and interesting, it becomes easier to integrate. Parents trust us when they leave their children here, and we are very glad about this,’ Anna added.

Marina Carchilan is the teacher of the new class and the mother of two girls, a five-year-old and a there-year-old, both enrolled in this educational institution. Since the kindergarten reopened after almost ten years, the mornings of the young mother are easier. ‘Before, my older daughter used to go to another kindergarten and we travelled almost one hour every morning. It was very difficult to use public transportation with the child, especially during the pandemic. Now, I can wake up the children later and I only need 15 minutes to get to the kindergarten,’ says Marina, who was hired as a teacher shortly after enrolling both her children.

‘The furniture gives colour and a good energy to our class. The chairs and tables are adjustable and can be set according to the age, which is essential for the children’s development,’ says the teacher. 

 ‘My mother was a kindergarten teacher, and I used to spend each summer surrounded by children. I’m telling you, nothing can be achieved without dedication. My parents always told me to do good deeds without expecting anything in return. I love watching the children sleep and I am very excited when I see the little ones learning to use the spoon. When I’m with them, I see the results of my work. I would like to mention that I didn’t write projects before, applications, I had no idea how to do this. I’ve had sleepless nights learning how to draft my ideas,’ confessed Anna Cersac, head teacher of the kindergarten, who started working with children when she was 18.

For Anna, this kindergarten is more than a job. It’s one of the places where she spent her childhood, and this motivates her even more to contribute not only to its development, but also to society. ‘As a child, I went here in my final year of kindergarten. Later, the kindergarten was closed because of the high number of families leaving abroad and the hardships faced in the period 1996 - 2000. Currently, there are seven kindergartens in the city, but twenty years ago there were ten. I’m telling you, the kindergarten supports mothers who started working after their children entered the educational system. This is why I urge all managers of educational institutions, local public authorities, development partners, as well as all citizens to actively contribute to the development of early childhood education institutions. Many of them deserve to come to life,’ says the head teacher.

In 2020, with the support of the European Union, the ‘Delia’ kindergarten in Ungheni was equipped with furniture, teaching materials and brain games worth 310 000 MDL.

The kindergarten was renovated in 2019 with support from the local public authorities and the Polish Foundation Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova. The investments for equipping the institution were provided through the ‘EU4Moldova: Focal Regions’ program, funded by the European Union.

The ‘EU4Moldova: Focal Regions’ program supports the facilitation of an inclusive and sustainable socio-economic growth and the improvement of the living standards for residents of Ungheni and Cahul municipalities. The program, which will be implemented until 2024, has a total budget of 23 million EUR, is financed by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its content represents the sole responsibility of the ‘EU4Moldova: Focal Regions’ program, financed by the European Union. The content of the publication belongs to the authors and does not necessarily reflect the vision of the European Union.