What Happens Next?

What?

The “two-book bag” offers parents from disadvantaged communities illustrated books for home, encouraging them to read to their children.

The pilot project, funded by Kaufland and implemented since 2019, was designed to educate poor parents on the benefits of reading with their little ones. Over 60 kindergarten teachers from Vrancea and Neamț counties participated in two training sessions and then organized in turn reading sessions for parents and young children in their kindergartens. Each participating teacher received a trainer kit and, on average, 5 “Two-bag bag” kits to offer to parents.

Volunteers (librarians, educators, teachers, social workers etc.) organized reading sessions with 1-2 years old children and their parents. After reading sessions, each child receives a bag with two picture books and a small toy suitable for this age category. Volunteers talk to parents about the advantages of reading aloud activities with children from the yearly age, encouraging them to read to children.

As a result of the project,  475 children together with parents have participated at reading sessions and have got picture books to take home; about 600 books donated to families from disadvantaged communities and 375 books were planned to be donated in February 2021. The project involved 100 volunteers (librarians) from 100 localitie, with more than 100 reading sessions organized.

Volunteers have been trained by OvidiuRo Association and „Ion Creangă” National Children’s Library on how to organize reading aloud sessions with small kids.

Parents have been told by the volunteers about the advantages of reading aloud to children from the early age and encouraged to read to children.

At the second reading of the book “From head to toe”, children had already begun to imitate the movements of animals. Parents showed interest and openness during the meetings; the atmosphere was relaxing, pleasant, constructive. We definitely produced some changes in the relationship with the children. Thanks for the opportunity! ” Mariana Vrabie, preschool teacher, Bălan Kindergarten, Harghita

Why?

Environmental protection projects are poorly developed in the libraries of Ukraine. There was a free premises in the Kyiv public library and the desire of librarians to start an educational project on nature protection. Together with the Charity “Library country” the joint project was established.

What Has Already Been Done:

• A fundraising campaign was launched on the community platform https://biggggidea.com/project/zelena-biblioteka/ and 1000 USD were already collected for purchasing the furniture
• Books on environmental topics were purchased thanks to the philanthropists
• Educational activities on environmental issues are carried out on the regular basis
• Partnerships with environmental initiatives have been established, and the library functions as a free platform for meetings, discussions, events

The New Space Will Include:

• Creative eco-design (natural colors, natural materials)
• Decor elements from recycled materials
• A selection of books and e-media on environmental topics 
• Thematic educational program
• Collaboration with eco-activists and initiatives

So what?

The Library is modern and active, well-known in the community and seeks to develop and deliver new services. Renovation & new design is almost done, and the space will be visually attractive and original and become the place of gravity for children, parents, eco-activists.

The local community is well aware of the project and is actively involved. The educational activities on environmental issues are carried out on a regular basis. The project is a pilote for Kyiv city and seen as the model for other libraries.

What?

Librarians are using technology to confront obesity in their community head on – and the kilos are rolling away as library users now regularly work out in the reading room. Be Fit Not Fat was launched in October 2012. Outreach through schools drew an enthusiastic response: 180 people attended exercise classes in the library, using Wii fitness consoles, and 43 seriously overweight teenagers and mothers joined an intensive programme. To make sure weight loss is lasting and safe, the library works closely with fitness specialists, doctors and nutritionists.

So what?

Be Fit Not Fat combines action with interaction. During physical exercise classes in the library, participants use a  Wii Fit Plus console. This is a video gaming console programmed for fitness training. The console transmits a moving image of a fitness trainer to a television screen. Exercisers then create their own exercise program by using a remote control device to manipulate the image of the trainer.

Participants in the intensive fitness and nutrition program have created a Facebook page and a lively blog, for sharing experiences, giving encouragement and celebrating weight loss. Using library computers, they consult nutritionists in the capital city, Bucharest, many kilometers away, via the online communication tool, Skype.

I look different, feel different, and my husband and child appreciate the difference! Without Pietrari Local Public Library I would not have succeeded! Ileana Nitu, 22 kilograms healthier

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As part of this project, 43 offline workshops,  7 online regional conferences, 5 virtual visits in Taraclia, Telenesti, Comrat, Riscani, Soroca, and 5 online regional festivals were organized, involving 25 partners and 1300 beneficiaries

What?

The objectives of the project were:

• Favoring a context of knowledge of ethnic groups in the Republic of Moldova, through the values and policies of the European Union in the field of multiculturalism, multiethnicity, inclusion, minority rights, for at least 500 people, especially adolescents and young people from five districts during 2019-2020.
• Increasing the degree of involvement of community members in promoting the common values shared by the cohabiting ethnic groups in Comrat, Taraclia, Telenesti, Soroca, Riscani districts;
• Interethnic consolidation by increasing the visibility of the specifics and cultural similarities of the ethnic communities in the districts connected in the project

So what?

The participants accumulated valuable knowledge, about multiculturalism, the cohabiting ethnic groups in the Republic of Moldova, and about the policies of the European Union. They also realized the importance of multiethnic solidarity, passed it through the soul and materialized it in their own creations, presented at the Festival “On a Branch of Words”, which took place in August and was entitled generic “Multiethnic Moldova – we choose to live in harmony”.

Participating in the project made me understand and appreciate the Roma, whom I did not have very close to my soul. Now I have a Roma colleague, whom I received at work and I am very happy with.

The project reduced the social distance index by 3 units, as it raised the level of education, by familiarizing the beneficiaries with the multiple cultures in the country. Thus, the risk of conflicts, which regularly occur between ethnic groups and lead to violence that leads to destruction and damage, was reduced.

A Guide for the implementation of the library service “Multicultural Connections” was created, and it will serve as the basis for future replication in other regions. The continuity and sustainability of the project is also ensured by the generous book donation offered by the financiers for 5 public libraries and 10 social institutions: 5 Centers for children and 5 centers for the elderly.