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 Education
Adviser’s Report on the Educational Challenge
Romania – May/June 2010
Just after midnight on May 30th 2010, in the midst of a
dramatic thunderstorm, eight weary but excited teachers from the UK
arrived at the Mission Centre in Cihei to take part in our fourth
Educational Challenge. The four-day programme included visits to the
gypsy community served by
 the school, professional dialogue with our
director, Doamna Clara, lesson observations and, importantly, the
opportunity to engage in teaching/learning activities with the
children. Visits to the Barrage Community and the Homeless of Oradea
brought a very real and added dimension to the experience.
On the final morning of the programme everyone agreed that it had
certainly been challenging, but that it had also been moving,
inspiring, amazing and, indeed, life changing. It would be impossible
to include all the feedback in a report such as this, but the
following comments give a genuine insight into how people felt and the
impact the Challenge made on them and their lives. Each and every one
of them would encourage colleagues to come out and experience it for
themselves.
 Julie
from Hartlepool
wrote, ‘A remarkable experience that brought life to the photograph of
our sponsored child. Now she is no longer a mere picture, but a living
link of love that transcends all language barriers. Children do indeed
all smile in the same language – and so do adults! I have lost count
of the number of genuine smiles exchanged, but I will remember them
forever’.
John, our gentle giant from
Middlesbrough
said, ‘I can honestly say that I have never seen
so many
 genuine,
sincere and infectious smiles than in these last three days. It is
wonderful that people who have next to nothing can find so much joy in
all the things they do – something that we often fail to do back home.
They have touched me far more than I ever imagined and have done more
for me in this short space of time than I could ever do for them.’
John is a secondary Maths teacher, young, tall and strong, and the
children loved him.
Rachel from Newport
 wrote, ‘ When I saw
the Educational Challenge promoted, I just knew it was something I had
to go on, but I was not aware how much of an impact it would have on
me, both physically and emotionally. It was indeed a challenge, but I
am so glad that I overcame my fears and I know I have grown because of
it. The dedication and commitment of all our staff at the School and
Nursery was outstanding and extremely moving. Thank you so much for
this experience and hopefully I will see you next year!’ A secondary
school teacher specialising in languages, Rachel braved the
Kindergarten at Tileagd and the children loved her, too.
Mags from Alfreton
told me, ‘It’s my second
Educational Challenge and I
 just
had to come back.
It’s
been a joy to spend time working alongside such dedicated teachers and
super children. The respect and love they have for each other just
shines through their faces, their actions and their smiles. Throughout
the week I have personally been challenged and moved in so many
different ways, I will always keep in my heart the people I have met,
both English and Romanian. We must keep spreading the smiles.’
Sophie from Cheltenham
wrote, ‘This week I have seen love in action: lifting the lonely,
binding the
 broken-hearted, giving hope to the hopeless, educating the
uneducated, feeding the hungry, loving the unlovely – this is the work
of the Smiles Foundation. My experiences this week? At worst,
heartbreaking, overwhelming, exhausting, utterly challenging. At best,
exhilarating, joyful, life-giving, empowering, inspiring and, again,
utterly challenging. I am going home with different eyes, many new
friends and definitely new members of my family. It has been a
privilege to be part of something so special and I would love to come
back in support of Mission Trips or to work in the school (What an
awesome place!) I pray that my husband, Mark, will catch the dream,
too.’
Julia is head of an infant school in Derbyshire
and, just before she left for Romania, one of her little ones asked if
she would say ‘Hello’ to their Romanian friends and ask them to come
and play. Julia says, ‘I realised what a privilege it is to share the
dream, to love and to be loved, to listen and to hear, to teach and be
taught and to gain a greater understanding of what is happening here.
In our busy lives we forget the precious gift of childhood, the wonder
of education and the ability we have to ‘touch tomorrow’: but here in Tileagd we can see it, touch it, feel it and share it. I have laughed,
cried, been amazed and had some of my self-esteem restored. I stand in
awe and wonder at the inspirational work being done to break the cycle
of poverty and disadvantage and build a better future.
Sheena from Chadsgrove Special
School in Bromsgrove
could not find
 words
to properly describe her ‘amazing’ week, but she did say this, ‘What
a privilege it was to be welcomed back to Tileagd Community School as
part of the teaching team. It is wonderful to see just how much the
teaching and learning has progressed in the last 3-4 years. The
children enjoy a wide variety of learning activities and there is an
increasingly creative approach to the curriculum. They truly enjoy
being at school and feel safe and loved in this place. The teachers
are passionate about their teaching and constantly want to learn more.
They are truly an inspirational team. Thank you again for allowing me
to play a small part in the education of these truly amazing
children.
Sam from Gloucestershire
was clearly touched by her experience: ‘Wow!
What a trip! Smiles is a very special charity, providing hope for so
many people and I am proud to have been a part of this Challenge. The
school is a fantastic place; the teachers do a fabulous job
 and the
children just love to learn. I just wish we could have stayed for
longer!
.
The trip was at times heart wrenching and much of what we saw made me
question my values and be incredibly thankful for all I have. The
people are so thankful for all the help they receive and determined to
help themselves, to the extent that I am left with feeling of hope and
happiness. We were welcomed by everyone we met and the courage of some
of the families will stay with me, inspiring me to overcome my own
difficulties. As a result, I will meet the problems in my life with a
new spirit of determination.
I am looking forward to sharing my experiences with the children in my
school, who are keen to do something to help. I am looking forward to
visiting Romania again. Smiles is now in my heart.
Cristina, a Smiles Management Trainee, who
 supported us throughout the
Challenge had this to say, ‘Regarding the Educational Challenge, let
me tell you it was an interesting and a challenging experience for me
- and it helped me realise better what a great job we do in Tileagd
School and what a great opportunity these children have for their
future.
I really enjoyed the time spent with the Educational Challenge team. I
really think that they are great people - and that together we can
build a better future for those children and for their families.’ This
was Christina’s first Educational Challenge and I know that she was
very nervous She did a superb job, which helped to make the whole
programme run very smoothly and successfully. Thank you, Cristina
From my perspective as
Educational Adviser,
I will simply say that for me this was a special time,
 in
a special place, with special people and for a special purpose. If
their words and these pictures touch you, why not consider joining us
next year? Any one of us would be happy to talk
with you about it. We look forward to welcoming you to Romania, to
Smiles and to Tileagd!
The children are waiting for you.
Stephen
Stephen
Woodward: Education Adviser to the Smiles Foundation.
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