What we do
Ascensium delivers different projects according to the needs of the local population. They are carried out by Romanians working for Romanian. Projects are authorised by local and national authorities and we are a fully registered and approved organisation. The projects are regularly reviewed and adapted as necessary. Click here to see our latest newsletter.
Scoala Parintiilor (School for parents)
This has very much been Ascensium’s flagship programme. It continues to develop as life changes in Romania. The programme delivers different projects that support pregnant and newly delivered mothers, their partners and families. An example of the main projects are, the Ante Natal classes both in rural and urban areas and post natal support also in these areas. There is a strong emphasis on family bonding and relationships to prevent the abandonment of babies. The charity has been credited with successfully helping to eradicate abandonment in Sibiu County alongside the work carried out in the hospital. The ante natal project is attended by partners who are able to claim their paternity benefit after receiving a certificate of attendance from us.
Sex education
Sex education classes are held in schools as we seek to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies. It is the belief of Ascensium that sex education is a right and not a privilege, and given that no one else seems to offer it we have been doing so for several years. Similarly, we will advise on contraception because we believe parents have the right to make informed choices. Ascensium does NOT advocate, or encourage premarital sexual activity, but it does live in the real world, and that real world, sadly is full of ignorance which leads to all sorts of problems, especially in the realm of sexual health. Thus, Ascensium aim to try and combat prejudice and superstition which is still to be found as part of the enduring legacy of communism. Classes are taught in all secondary schools in the urban areas, in the villages and other settings such as residential children’s homes. They are also requested by other local charities. We emphasize that it is important to build relationships and have a mature approach to sexual behaviour thus preventing the spread of disease, unwanted pregnancy and loss of self-esteem and dignity.
First Aid
Ascensium also runs first aid courses for schools for children aged 12-18 years and for people training to be community workers. The first aid rogramme consists of courses for young people in the primary and high schools in Sibiu city and county. They are taught vital skills in resuscitation and basic first aid needed by accident victims to help prevent a little drama turning into a major crisis. During 2005 some 237 people benefited from this instruction.
Educational Support
This programme takes place in ten villages in and around the Sibiu area and seeks to increase the level of basic education of youngsters who otherwise might be passed-by as far as the education system goes. There are several reasons for this. One is abject poverty. Sometimes, however, and this is the most usual scenario, peasant and/or gipsy families often see providing for the family as a greater need than educating children. Working on the smallholding puts food on the table, whereas turning up at school does not- especially if there are cows to be milked, and crops to be harvested. It is very sad, and even more shortsighted, but that does not prevent it from bing an all too frequent reality. So, Ascensium goes round ten villages on a regular basis attempting to raise educational capabilities among this certain section of the population, and at least enable them to be promoted to the following year in school. In Romania, even in Junior schools, there is no automatic progression from the current year to the next one- and so, in theory at least, some children could remain in the same class for several years. It is up to the teachers' assessment and test results as to whether children progress through the school years according to plan. If they do not they are considered to be 'repetent'. Ascensium's programme has greatly reduced the numbers of 'repetant children' in these villages, and the percentages of 'promovability' (promotion) amongst these children with whom we work. This is a tremendous achievement by Ascensium's education team who work with over 200 children in total on this programme which is based on the national curriculum and is designed to help those with learning difficulties, or whose families do not bother to send them to school.
Early Years Project
Ascensium has embarked on a pilot project to train kindergarten teachers in “learning through play”. This involves a teacher working alongside staff in both rural and urban settings to explore new ways of working to achieve better learning outcomes for children aged 3-7 this project is sponsored both financially and professionally through Warwickshire early years department and will be evaluated after 2 years. This is being developed further by a link being developed through Newman College Birmingham and the University of Lucian Blaga in Sibiu. It is hoped that teachers will have the opportunity to study for a Masters module. The teachers are extremely enthusiastic and have shown this by attending some workshops in great numbers.
Psychological Counseling
Vasile Gaban, our longest serving worker has obtained his degree in Psychology and subsequent qualifications in psychotherapy, individual and family therapy to a high standard. This has enabled us to set up and operate a comprehensive service which receives referrals from the local psychiatric services and from self referring clients. This service is going from strength to strength, as there are many damaged people in Romania as a result of years of persecution and suppression.
Open Eyes Project
This project is a long standing project which provides a support group and some educational support for young adults with “Downs Syndrome” there is still a lot of stigma attached to special needs and disability in Romania and this provides a safe place for young adults to meet and feel valued. We hope to expand this project to include young adults with disabilities generally.
Holidays for all
Every year Ascensium runs fun days in the summer holidays for children in the villages we serve. Up to 1000 children enjoy games and competitions to eventually win a place on the residential camp we hold in August. Every year we are helped by young people from UK and more recently from Romania, who volunteer to help out. There is always room for more volunteers each year to experience Romania, it’s people and provide much needed help for Ascensium.
Inter-faith work
Steve Hughes recently oversaw the establishment of the first ever national body for inter-faith dialogue between Christians, Muslims and Jews in Romania. It is hoped that Romania might become an important centre for such dialogue. Steve hopes to establish a similar dialogue forum in Bulgaria.
As to the future?
We hope to be able to build a purpose-built one-stop centre for advice, conferences, teaching, accommodation etc, etc. We firmly believe, with funding, that much of SHARE/Ascensium's work could be replicated in other parts not only or Romania, but also Eastern Europe in general. Also we envisage a move towards Ascensium providing much more training on a national basis.