August 2016 19_NEWSLETTER AUGUST: Month of community actions
Events and actions with and for the community The Pata-Cluj team organized summer recreational activities consisting of creative workshops for children in Pata Rât During the summer the education team has organized extracurricular activities at the Traian Dârjan School for the pupils from Pata Rât. In the meantime, in August, the Pata-Cluj team organized summer activities dedicated to all children from Pata Rât consisting of creative workshops and weekly film screenings. The creative workshops started on 3rd of August with activities on the subject of colors. To make the workshops more attractive for children, the working team and the artistic organizer chose a new theme each week. Thus, the creative workshops from the first week started with attention games and imagination exercises regarding colors. For five days, Elisabeta, the artist who worked with the children, has come up with exercises to find similarities and differences between colours, to emphasize contrasts and complementary colors, and to discover each color’s meaning. What followed afterwards was a series of painting exercises during which, on the first days, each child worked individually on his/her own drawing. However, on the last day the children created a few common paintings on a long roll of paper, each one contributing with a drawing on a freely chosen subject. The result was a collective, unitary work, within which each participant intuitively respected the others’ personal space and freedom of expression. Approximately 40 children from three communities:Dallas, Canton and the Ramp participated in this workshop. The second week was devoted to games, and the chosen theme was animals. The workshops took place over the course of 5 days and were managed by Delia and Raluca, two professional entertainers who organize workshops on various subjects during the school year at MiniReactor, and by Oana, the coordinator of the English class at the Childrens’ Palace. Thus, during the 5 days, the children guided by the three cultural facilitators learned about different emotions, while doing exercises to develop their attention, team spirit, coordination, empathy, imagination and solidarity. During this week children from the Coasta community also participated in the workshop, and the total number of participants who regularly showed up was approximately 35. During the third week, we took on the theme of earth through molding workshops, coordinated by an artist who worked with children on the kinetic sculpture during the Different School week. In the workshop
Biroul MecanismulFinanciar Str Joseph II 12-16 (adresa poștală) Bd du Régent 47-48 (adresa fizică) B-1000 Bruxelles www.norwaygrants.org
sau www.norwaygrants-povertyalleviation.org © EEA și Granturile Norvegiene, Biroul Mecanismului Financiar, 2014-2016
NORWAY GRANTS | 19_NEWSLETTER • August 2016
coordinated by Denisa, visual artist and teacher at the Romulus Ladea Visual Arts High School, clay had a vital role. Being a versatile and easy-to-use material, it allowed the participants to use various techniques and to create multiple objects: clay pots, masks, and imaginary characters, which they painted afterwards as they wished. The possibility offered by the clay to modify and easily repair their minor mistakes and errors allowed children to relax and to freely express themselves. The activities lasted three days during this week. The subject approached during the last week was family. Cristina, a plastic artist with years-worth of expertise as a cultural mediator and coordinator of children’s workshops, proposed an innovative method: to organize a wedding using collages. During the first day, she involved the children in creating a wedding painting which included all of their friends and family members. They collaboratively made the portraits of all the workshop participants. The teams exchanged members and roles at one point in order to make the portraits as lively as possible. The subject and the possibility to transfer the images from paper to reality were a success. Approximately 27 children, from four communities, worked together on the same sheet of paper to create a wedding with as many guests as possible. During the second day, the workshop continued with a similar goal: a wedding banquet. This time, children had to draw their favorite dish and the necessary objects for such an event to take place. The number of children increased in the second day, as they got curious and excited; more than 30 children from all four communities participated at the workshop. During the last day of activities, the members of the Pata-Cluj team organized a feedback meeting, consisting of an open discussion to create a space in whichthe children could express their feelings and opinions on the workshops and the participating artists. The aim of this meeting was to develop new workshop concepts based on the needs and wishes of those who benefited from these activities, the children. On the first week of September we will also hold a similar meeting with our workshop guests: teachers, facilitators, artists, entertainers, as well as the support team, in order to discuss the workshops. All the workshops took place in the courtyard of the Mobile Unit from Pata Rât, in an open space thematically divided by different zones. A permanent area was designated so that the children who were not directly involved in the workshop activities could freely paint, regardless of the workshops’ subject and theme. During these days of activities, the artists’ work was facilitated and sustained by the PataCluj team, which consists of members of the education team, cultural and community facilitators, and case managers, who offered the necessary support for the progress of the activities.
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| 19_NEWSLETTER • August 2016
August 2016 19_NEWSLETTER Film screenings for the children and teenagers from Pata Rât Cinema Evenings began in Pata Rât in August, following the assembly of the cinema seats during The Great Construction 4 - Outdoor Cinema. The Cinemobile, our partner that provided the technical support for the screenings, came for the first meeting on 4th of August and prepared movies alongside the PataCluj team for the children and teenagers in Pata Rât. The announcement regarding the Cinema Evenings brought together a large audience from all four communities, consisting of both children and their parents. As a result, almost 80 people gathered on the first cinema evening: children, teenagers, adults, but also friends of the planners, eventually filling all the seats that had been build a few days before. Some members of the audience sat on the grass or stood up. Excited by the event and eager for the movie to begin, a few children helped install the screening equipment. So the films that were scheduled for 9 PM began screening earlier, just before nightfall. Because of the merry atmosphere, the number of participants kept growing, while the black and white movies, the silent films, and the cartoons engaged the audience for more than an hour and a half. The enthusiasm following the first cinema evening spread around the community, so its members requested the continuation of the evening projections, even become permanent. As a result, weekly film projections were scheduled on each Thursday at 9 PM. Unfortunately, because of the unfavorable weather conditions, the meetings on 11th and 18th August were postponed until the weather was pleasant again. We met again on 25th of August, sticking with the same format, after a two week delay caused by the unfavorable weather and the vacation of the Cinemobile. Once again, the film and cartoon projections began earlier than scheduled, and both the team and the children helped install or uninstall the Cinemobile’s equipment. For the following hour, almost 100 people (children, teenagers, adults, members of the team, and Cinemobile staff) watched cartoons and Romanian short films. They gradually gathered in the yard of the Mobile Unit and it became necessary to provide new seats by bringing in new chairs and benches. The cartoons were the most appreciated by the spectators, who didn’t hesitate to cheer for their favorite characters. The next meeting will take place on Thursday, 1st of September, once again at
Biroul MecanismulFinanciar Str Joseph II 12-16 (adresa poștală) Bd du Régent 47-48 (adresa fizică) B-1000 Bruxelles www.norwaygrants.org
sau www.norwaygrants-povertyalleviation.org © EEA și Granturile Norvegiene, Biroul Mecanismului Financiar, 2014-2016
NORWAY GRANTS | 19_NEWSLETTER • August 2016
the Mobile Unit. We hope that at least just as many participants will gather for this film session.
Sharon, our intern for the past 6 months successfully ended her traineeship within our project On August 19th Sharon Frankenberger, a 2nd year student at the Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts, completed her 6 months traineeship program within our project. During the 6 months of her traineeship, Sharon has proven to be a valuable addition to our team. Adaptable to new situations and environments she expressed high sensitivity to the social reality of the vulnerable people she worked with, imagination and courage to manage the most unpredictable situations on the fieldwork. At the same time, she proved to be a real team-player with an acute sensitivity to the emotional and social needs of her co-workers, as well as those of the members of the Pata Rât community. She won children’s hearts during the cultural-educational activities with her open and playful personality, accepting nature, and self-initiative. Her eagerness to get involved in all daily activities and to learn by experience, as well as her remarkable talent in learning new languages, have rendered her a loved and well-appreciated member of the education team. We consider ourselves fortunate for having her around not only for the outgoing personality and joyfulness, but also for being highly organized, task-oriented and self-motivated. We are truly convinced that her personal capabilities, combined with an intricate professional training will make her a competent international social worker, prepared to make the adequate decisions and find the sound solutions in all circumstances and in all environments. We hope to have her around on other occasions. Also in the name of the Pata Rât communities, we thank her for her dedicated work.
For more information on the daily actions and activities carried out by our teams in Pata Rât check each thread of the project on our website, section Pata-Cluj Threads.
www.patacluj.ro | fax. 0364/401479 info@patacluj.ro |patacluj@gmail.com
| 19_NEWSLETTER • August 2016
August 2016 19_NEWSLETTER Please check the working hours at the Mobile Unit of each intervention team below and at the section for the community – program of the Mobile Unit.
The team engaged in social services and identity documents: each Monday between 12 am and 2 pm. The team of case managers who work with the families to help them solve their problems: each Tuesday between 10 am and 12 am. The medical team evaluating health condition and ensuring emergency medical services: each Tuesday between 2 pm and 4 pm. The team facilitating employment: each Wednesday from 2 pm until 4 pm. The team which offers legal counselling for various litigations: each Friday between 10 am and 12 am. The medical team evaluating health condition and ensuring emergency medical services: each Friday between 12 pm and 2 pm. The community facilitators team, which offers general information, helps resolving community issues and facilitates cultural activities, goes to Pata Rât whenever is necessary.
Announcements for the community Monthly photo sessions for identity documents and briefings regarding the social benefits On the last Monday of each month, our colleague Roland is taking photos for the identity documents for members of the Pata Rât community, during the working hours of the team offering support for the submission of files for identity documents and social services. In August, Roland, alongside Anna and Mária, his working colleagues, took 13 ID card photographs. Our two colleagues had 7 requests for ID card renewals, and 2 help requests for Biroul MecanismulFinanciar Str Joseph II 12-16 (adresa poștală) Bd du Régent 47-48 (adresa fizică) B-1000 Bruxelles www.norwaygrants.org
sau www.norwaygrants-povertyalleviation.org © EEA și Granturile Norvegiene, Biroul Mecanismului Financiar, 2014-2016
NORWAY GRANTS | 19_NEWSLETTER • August 2016
issuing birth certificate duplicates. During August, they delivered the files for one social welfare and canteen access request. Anna and Maria accompanied three people to the bank and the National Agency for Fiscal Administration, and one person to the County Agency for Employment in order to sign the documents for social welfare and family support allowance. The September session for photos needed for the IDs renewals and attainance will be held on September 26th, starting at 10 o’clock at the Mobile Unit. In order to check the dates of the following sessions please consult the calendar of activities carried out at the Mobile Unit on the project website: http://www.patacluj.ro/calendar/.
Pata-Cluj social inclusion calendar: September September 8th - International Literacy Day Literacy is a fundamental human right and the foundation for lifelong learning. It is fully essential to social and human development in its ability to transform lives. For individuals, families, and societies alike, it is an instrument of empowerment to improve one’s health, one’s income, and one’s relationship with the world. In a world where education is declared a fundamental human right, with all individuals able to afford the same opportunities for their future – including access to basic education, close to 20% of the population is illiterate. In 1965 UNESCO declared September 8 to be International Literacy Day. Since this proclamation, schools, communities and organizations have united around the world on this day to raise awareness in the hope that it will enable increased access to education in developing nations. The World Literacy Foundation’s 2016 The Sky is the Limit campaign is an exciting opportunity to participate in International Literacy Day, and promote the profile of literacy within schools and local communities. September 15th - National Day of High School Roma Student This day marks the debut of affirmative actions for Roma pupils and students by offering and accepting them special (on) places at the Normal Schools (Pedagogic High Schools) from Bucharest, Bacău and Târgu Mureș to prepare them as teachers for roma education. During the meetings organized this day with Roma high school students have also been invited, together with Roma and non-Roma institutions and organizations, Roma and non-Roma philanthropists who support financially the high school Roma students depending on their results and financial situation. (These pieces of information are gathered and edited by Ghe. Sarău in a Roma calendar (in Romanian Roma's vision) that has mainly an educational purpose. © Ghe. Sarău, 2006) September 16th - National Day of Roma Port and Folk Dance Roma traditional costumes' parade took place for the first time in 1990. (These informations are gathered and edited by Ghe. Sarău in a Roma calendar (in Romanian Roma's vision) that has mainly an educational purpose. © Ghe. Sarău, 2006) September 17th - National Day of Roma Craftsmen and Plastic Artists
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| 19_NEWSLETTER • August 2016
August 2016 19_NEWSLETTER Starting 1990 there is an annual Roma craftsmen fair taking place annual with silversmiths, coppersmiths, tinersmiths, tailors, shoemakers etc and exhibitions of Roma artists: painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramic workers, clothing designers etc. (These pieces of information are gathered and edited by Ghe. Sarău in a Roma calendar (in Romanian Roma's vision) that has mainly an educational purpose. © Ghe. Sarău, 2006) September 24th - National Day of Roma Press Starting September 24th 1932, until March 8th 1938, have been printed in Craiova 70 numbers of the "Time" newspaper, edited by a group of Roma and non-Roma intellectuals (Aurel Th. Manolescu Dolj, Marin I. Simion, N. St. Ionescu, C. Nicolăescu – Plopşor). Between 1934 and 1935 in Calbor (nowadays Făgăraș), the Roma peasant Naftanailă Lazăr edits the "Gipsy People" newspaper. Starting November 1934 (the first number 1-15th November 1934) and until 1940 appeared 14 numbers of "The Gypsy Voice" in Bucharest with the founding director Gh. Niculescu coordinating them. (These pieces of information are gathered and edited by Ghe. Sarău in a Roma calendar (in Romanian Roma's vision) that has mainly an educational purpose. © Ghe. Sarău, 2006) September 26th - European Day of Languages Throughout Europe there are 800 million Europeans represented in the Council of Europe's 47 member states speaking 38 languages. Being convinced that linguistic diversity is a tool for achieving greater intercultural understanding and a key element in the rich cultural heritage of our continent, the Council of Europe promotes plurilingualism in the whole of Europe. At the initiative of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, the European Day of Languages has been celebrated every year since 2001 on 26 September. On the occasion of the day, a range of events are organized across Europe: activities for and with children, television and radio programs, language classes and conferences. National authorities and the various partners are given a free hand to organize activities.
Media Videos with Pata-Cluj got talent! finalists’ performances The Pata-Cluj got talent! contest-event aimed to celebrate the cultural diversity by bringing together the individual talents of Cluj and Pata Rât inhabitants and by creating a context for sharing and learning new talents. The event’s final was celebrated on 8th of April, on International Roma Day, together with the jury, the Cluj County Center for the Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture guests, supporters of contest participants and finalists, friends and acquaintances of the project and of the Pata Rât community. On this occasion we remembered the significance of the 8th of April and rewarded the best local talents and celebrated through dance and music. At the preselection the were 60 people enlisted with 25 artistic performances. After preselection there were only 14 finalists who performed on the stage: dance, singing, imitation. The finalists’ list can be consulted on Pata-Cluj webpage here http://www.patacluj.ro/pata-cluj-avem-talent-are-finalisti/ and below you can see the recordings from during the competition with the artistic numbers performed on the stage. Pata-Cluj got talent! finalists Biroul MecanismulFinanciar Str Joseph II 12-16 (adresa poștală) Bd du Régent 47-48 (adresa fizică) B-1000 Bruxelles www.norwaygrants.org
sau www.norwaygrants-povertyalleviation.org © EEA și Granturile Norvegiene, Biroul Mecanismului Financiar, 2014-2016
NORWAY GRANTS | 19_NEWSLETTER • August 2016
Open Air cinema in Pata Rât At the end of July a new design and construction of urban furniture session took place at the Mobile Unit Big Construction 4 – Open-air cinema with the aim to create a space for film screenings and cartoons after dark. Starting August a series of film and cartoon screenings started at the Mobile Unit in partnership with Cinemobilul. Big Construction feat Cinemobilul
The Pata-Cluj project, fully named Social interventions for the de-segregation and social inclusion of vulnerable groups in Cluj Metropolitan Area, including the disadvantaged Roma is implemented by the Intercommunity Development Association, Cluj Metropolitan Area, in partnership with the Community Association of Roma from Coastei, Habitat for Humanity Cluj and AltArt Foundation. The project is financed by the Government of Norway through the Norway Grants 2009-2014 within the Poverty Alleviation Program (RO25).
*** About the Norway Grants Through the Norway Grants and EEA Grants, Norway contributes to reducing social and economic disparities and to strengthening bilateral relations with the beneficiary countries in Europe. Norway cooperates closely with the EU through the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA). For the period 2009-2014, Norway’s contribution is €1.7 billion. Grants are available for NGOs, research and academic institutions, and the public and private sectors in the 12 newest EU member states, Greece, Portugal and Spain. There is broad cooperation with Norwegian entities, and activities may be implemented until 2016. Key areas of support are environmental protection and climate change, research and scholarships, civil society, health and children, gender equality, justice and cultural heritage.
The content of this material does not necessarily reflect the official position of Norway Grants 2009-2014. Camelia Badea Comunication coordinator for Pata-Cluj project Tel.: 0786/375 825 E-mail: camelia@patacluj.ro patacluj@gmail.com Website: www.patacluj.ro Facebook: www.facebook.com/PatadinCluj Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQVqL CQJ4ozYqZtRtTlcAnQ
www.patacluj.ro | fax. 0364/401479 info@patacluj.ro |patacluj@gmail.com
| 19_NEWSLETTER • August 2016