Moldova

Community Description
Cotiujeni Mari has a population of 3,650 people. Social problems in the village include high rates of unemployment and alcoholism. The local government estimates that over 50% of school-aged children have one or both parents working or living abroad. This leaves many children in vulnerable positions, often being raised by elderly grandparents or relatives.

Every family in the village participates in subsistence farming, and most families have another small source of income. Additionally, like many other rural Moldovan villages, Cotiujenii Mari is isolated from the world and the rest of the country. Government assistance to schools and organizations can take years and many necessities are left ignored for extended periods of time.

Cotiujenii has a lyceum with 365 children from grades 1-12.

Additionally, the village has the Pacurasii Day Center, which was started in 2003 with the financial assistance of international donors by a local non-governmental organization. The mission of the center is to better the lives of people in the community with special needs.

The center is open to children in grades 1-7, and employs one full time teacher and two assistants. It operates through funding from The Ministry of Social Protection for Families and Children of the Soldanesti region.

Additionally, the center provides an alternative education for moderately to severely disabled children and affords after school care, food, and educational assistance to vulnerable youth.

Nine disabled students go to the center five days a week and 19 children attend the center after their school day for assistance with homework, a hot meal, and to learn social skills in a loving environment. These children come from the poorest home situations in the village, the majority of them without parents.

Project Description
This project is to purchase and install a water pump to supply water for use by the Pacurasii Center from a recently-built on-site well.

This project became critical when, several weeks ago, the existing pump for the previously used water source, ceased to function, leaving the center without running water.

The center was built in a renovated building in 2003 and was equipped with electricity, gas heat, and running water. Two toilets, two hand-washing sinks, a shower, and a large sink for the kitchen were installed during this construction with the hope of providing children with sanitary conditions at the center.

The original well that was shared with the community failed to provide water of the quantity and quality needed by the center.

In the fall of 2009, a project called “The Gift of Water” was started, with the goals of improving water conditions, and providing education for the community. The objectives included constructing a new on-site well, purchasing an institutional-sized water pump, and completing a seminar with parents about the Gift of Water.

The parents and community members donated their time and expertise in the fall of 2009 to construct the new well. This project to purchase and install the water pump will make the well functional for the needs of the center.

In addition a seminar will be given for the families to learn the importance of drinking clean water at home, using water for dental hygiene, and using water to wash bodies and hands to prevent the spread of communicable disease.

Project Impact
28 children and 3 employees will be direct beneficiaries of this project. An additional 75 family members will benefit indirectly from this project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Judie Wurm

Comments
This project will guarantee the flow of water necessary for the children to use for washing and bathing, for hygienic purposes in the toilets, and for use in the kitchen.

The community and the center staff have already done a tremendous amount to keep the center operating cleanly and efficiently. By providing an on-site well, they have gone a long way toward meeting their objectives. With just a little help, in the form of a needed pump, there will be significant impact on the wellbeing of the participants.

Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00

Donations Collected to Date
$0.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you "naming rights", if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$500.00

Community Description
Corlateni is located in the northern part of Moldova in the Riscani region, with a population of 5,500, according to census data. Within this population 1,100 members of the community attend the local schools.

In the Liceul of Corlăteni there are currently 678 high school students. There is also a primary school with 422 students, from grades 1-4. In the high school and elementary school, there are 50 teachers and 23 technical employees.

Currently there is no running water in the high school to allow students to wash their hands. Keeping hands clean has been identified as one of the most important steps that can be taken to avoid sickness and the spread of germs to others.

Project Description
This project is to provide a water supply to the school cafeteria for use by the students. Sinks will be installed in an old WC, and the necessary plumbing work will be done to make the sinks functional for use by the students. A pump will be installed in the school well, to pump the water to the cafeteria.

In addition, students, faculty, staff and the community will be taught about hygiene and public health.

The Liceul of Corlăteni, the PTA, and community members will be involved in the implementation of the project. These people are active in the school community and are committed to making the school a safer place for students, staff and faculty.

Project Impact
422 elementary students, 678 high school students, 50 teachers and 23 technical staffers will directly benefit from the project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Shannon Cagney

Comments
The installation of running water will reduce the spread of germs in the school. This is especially important because of the current flu epidemic in Moldova.

The project serves a large number of students in urgent need of water for proper hygiene. It has local support, and it provides an easily accomplished permanent solution to a significant public health problem.

Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00

Donations Collected to Date
$0.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you "naming rights", if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$500.00

Community Description
Cotiujenii Mari is a large, beautiful village located in the Şoldăneşti district, in the northern part of Moldova. It has a population of 3,650 people and it is known for its hospitality and huge forest surrounding the village.

The community has completed more than 20 projects in the last 10 years. Major projects included bringing gas into the village, implementing a center for children with disabilities, building a house of culture and replacing windows at the local high school.

Recently, the community has taken on the task of improving the interior and exterior of the local kindergarten. The Creşa kindergarten was built in 1918 and 60 members of this community have at least a child or more attending.

Creşa provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to vulnerable children and their families. It serves 30 children from a year and half to three years of age.

Four well-trained educators and their assistants teach these children through play, while nine technical employees help with the maintenance of Creşa.

Access to water is a basic necessity, but availability of water in the village is currently limited.

Project Description
The purpose of this project is to provide the kindergarten Creşa with access to running water.

The kindergarteners spend a vast majority of their time at Creşa. They arrive from 8:00 a.m. and leave at 6:00 p.m. During these 10 hours the children eat three nutritious meals a day. The cook makes a minimum of 12 trips to the well every day, carrying two buckets, in order to cook the meals and wash the dishes.

Providing a safe and clean environment is a top priority for the community. Therefore, washing is a daily routine at the kindergarten. Bibs, towels and clothes that get dirty by the occasional toddler “accident” are hand-washed on a daily basis along with washing 30 bedsheets and pillowcases every 10 days.

In 2006, the kindergarten director approached the New Apostolic Church to assist with installing a gas system, but unfortunately they did not have funds for this request and instead donated an automatic washing machine in 2008. The washing machine is still boxed and has never been used. Without access to running water it would take a minimum of 20 trips to the well in order to do laundry.

Purchasing a new water pump to connect to the local well will improve the health status of the children and work performance of the kindergarten staff. Staff will not have to travel as far in order to get water and will complete their work tasks efficiently.

Project funds will assist the Creşa kindergarten in purchasing a motor pump, sink, faucet, electric wire, water reserve, water pipes and labor work.

Project Impact
Direct beneficiaries of the water access project are the 30 kindergarteners and 18 staff members. Indirect beneficiaries include 60 parents and the community at large.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Veronica Michel

Comments
The kindergarten Creşa will be providing a safe and healthy environment for years to come as a result of this project.

The community has shown its commitment in finishing and maintaining projects. This project complements the community task of improving the interior and exterior of the school.

Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00

Donations Collected to Date
$0.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you "naming rights", if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$500.00