Beyond the challenges of his childhood, Nicolae discovered at the educational center a family and a community that supported him to become the young man he is today.
Nicolae, a shy child from Ferentari, entered the educational center supported by United Way in the 3rd grade, when he was at risk of repeating the class. Because he never went to kindergarten, but also because the family could not provide him the security he needed, it had been impossible for the boy to adapt to school.
His mother was 15 years old when she gave birth to him, followed by 3 more children, and his father was absent. The boy’s life didn’t seem to have any chance of getting any better. At the educational center, however, Nicolae received school and psychological counseling, a lot of affection and involvement that helped him heal some of his childhood traumas.
The school situation improved and the boy grew and developed beautifully. He was always present in the day center and participated in all the extracurricular activities, which, for him, were an opportunity to enjoy his childhood and learn new things. He went well through the pandemic period, at the end of which he managed to enter a good high school.
Now, after 7 years, Nicolae is a generous young man, a student in the 10th grade, with a good educational background. He comes every day to the center to do his homework and some extra school work. Recently, with his mother’s consent, he made the decision to work (part-time), in order to meet the family’s needs, as well as his own. He is passionate about cooking and chose to work in a restaurant as a cook assistant.
