Fighting Poverty Through Education

FARA’s vision focuses on empowering every individual to reach and fulfill their potential, talents, and dreams to live a meaningful and fulfilled life.

Păguboşii văd fulgerele. Învingătorii văd ploaia şi, odată cu ea, posibilitatea de a avea recoltă bună. Păguboşii sunt paralizaţi de pierderile şi frustrările lor. Învingătorii văd şansa de a schimba totul din nou. Niciodată să nu renunţaţi la visele voastre.

Absolute poverty is difficult to define—it goes beyond the lack of material resources. Interventions limited to providing food and shelter may offer temporary relief, but they do not address the root causes of poverty. FARA Foundation believes that combining social and educational interventions is essential for physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development.

Context

The Fighting Poverty Through Education program supports the implementation of national and international policies, strategies, and legislation aimed at reducing poverty, promoting social inclusion, upholding the rights of children and young people—including those with disabilities—and building sustainable communities.

RESOURCES

Each resource, carefully developed by FARA specialists and beneficiaries with the support of expert collaborators, serves a specific purpose: to provide information, practical solutions, and activity ideas for children, young people, and all those involved in the care and support of people with disabilities.

National Strategy for Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction 2021–2027

This strategy highlights the urgent need for interventions to reduce social inequalities, the risk of poverty, and social exclusion. These goals align with the UN’s global objectives for building a better and more sustainable future by 2030.

According to World Bank statistics:

The relative poverty rate is 38.1% in rural areas and 11.2% in urban areas.
The 0–15 age group is the most affected (52.1% in rural areas and 16.5% in urban areas).
The working-age population is also disproportionately affected (39.2% in rural areas and 11.2% in urban areas).

The school dropout rate in rural communities reaches 26%.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The pandemic led to school closures and negatively affected many students by:
- Widening social inequalities
- Reducing household income
- Increasing school dropout rates
- Limiting access to education due to lack of digital devices
- Poor infrastructure in rural areas

The World Bank (2020) notes that child poverty levels are expected to remain above pre-pandemic levels for at least five years.

Program History

The program has become a central activity and a point of synergy for FARA Foundation’s initiatives, given the scale and severity of poverty in rural communities across Romania.

Program expansion to Preutești commune, Suceava County

In partnership with local authorities in Arbore commune, Suceava County, FARA launched the Education for All program

Program expansion to Baia commune, Suceava County

Program Description

FARA Foundation identified a significant number of children facing learning difficulties, high risk of school dropout, and limited access to opportunities for personal development due to family vulnerabilities (e.g., financial hardship, unemployed parents or parents working abroad, large family size vs. limited resources, chronic illness, disabilities, low education levels, poor or unsanitary living conditions, domestic violence, substance abuse, antisocial behavior). These children need support for social, educational, and professional integration. The program provides after-school educational support, a hot meal, psychosocial and material assistance, social inclusion and recreational activities, and non-formal education for at least 300 disadvantaged and/or marginalized children and 450 family members.

Program Goal

To promote the respect of children's rights

Access to education, social inclusion, and the reduction of inequalities by creating a family- and community-based environment that enables children to reach their full development potential and supports their social integration.

Prevent school dropout among primary school children

Support children in their educational journey

Provide counseling and support to families to reduce social vulnerability

Offer school and career guidance for children, youth, and their families

Increase the level of social inclusion for families

Raise public awareness about the effects of poverty at the individual, family, and community levels

Target Group

The beneficiaries are children, young people, and their families living in poor rural or small urban communities, especially in the communes of Baia and Preutești, Suceava County.

Children’s Profile

Preschoolers or primary school students from disadvantaged families
At risk of school dropout (absenteeism, very low academic performance, failing grades)
With special educational needs
Lacking parental care and/or family support

Family Profile

Young people and adults from families in difficulty or at risk of social exclusion
Parents are unemployed or without stable jobs
Household income per family member is below the legally guaranteed minimum income
Parents have not completed compulsory education or have never attended school
Families without housing, living in makeshift or unauthorized shelters
Living in overcrowded conditions (insufficient space per number of residents)
Poor housing conditions, lacking access to utilities (water, electricity, heating)
Living in unsanitary homes with minimal or no essential furniture
Living at the edge of subsistence, with no support network

Unique Elements

Dedication. Professionalism. Quality.

The team’s dedication reflects the synergy between vocation, theory, and professional experience. Harmonizing these elements requires empathy, patience, and tolerance. The power of human connection is essential in helping people not only survive but thrive—because humans are inherently social beings. Within the Fighting Poverty Through Education program, the FARA team serves as the bridge between the Foundation and its beneficiaries, bringing professionalism and creativity to life.

The team’s undeniable professional value is reflected in the smiles and gratitude of those they support—people they understand deeply and for whom they strive to build a world rooted in compassion.

Work. Innovation. Results.

The multidisciplinary team includes social workers, a psychologist, educators, and administrative staff. Their work supports disadvantaged children, youth, and families in poor communities by balancing social intervention with educational support. Their efforts reflect the harmony between science, profession, and the art of using education to foster individual and social responsibility.

After more than a decade of activity, we’ve seen a growing number of students who, after completing 8th grade, continue to high school. This trend is encouraging—it reflects not only the fruits of sustained effort but also a significant step toward breaking the cycle of poverty. More and more parents are letting go of the belief that “school doesn’t help” and are beginning to encourage their children to make the most of their education.

The impact of the team is also visible among parents, especially when they are connected to development opportunities—such as improving parenting skills, understanding the value of education beyond income barriers, and learning how to manage limited resources. For children, the effects include increased self-esteem, improved relationships with parents and other key figures, and the ability to express their rights, ideas, needs, and preferences at home, in school, and in interactions with professionals.

Pragmatism and Humanity

In everything we do, we open doors to new opportunities for everyone—regardless of vulnerability, socio-economic status, or cultural background. In life’s most difficult moments, when someone feels overwhelmed and lost, FARA is a point of reference and support. Every beneficiary receives not only information, counseling, and help in finding solutions, but also a hot meal, food packages, hygiene products, and other essentials. Our child-, youth-, family-, and community-centered approach, combined with compassion for the vulnerable, leads to awareness, empowerment, and recovery from crisis.

1,200 children, 60 young people, and 2,450 families

receive individualized monthly support and have hope for a better future.

“Succeed in everything you do. Dare, and don’t be afraid of failure. If you fail, don’t be afraid to cry. If you cry, rethink your life—but don’t give up. Always embrace a new chance.” — Augusto Cur

Basic Services Package

Educational Support

Homework helps and remedial learning activities (After-School Program)
Encouraging parents to enroll their children in kindergarten/school
Promoting school attendance by providing a hot meal
Educational kits (tablets, workbooks, learning materials, toys, school supplies)
School guidance
Educational voucher of 1,070 RON/month for high school/vocational students (currently suspended)

Personal Development

Emotional support groups
Personal development sessions
Movement and dance-based development
Parenting education
Psycho-social counseling
Financial education
Non-formal education (social skills, problem-solving, handling abuse, neglect, exploitation)
Mentorship for professional integration and independent living

Occasional Crisis Support

Food, clothing, footwear, cleaning and hygiene products
Improving living conditions (heating, renovations, basic furnishings)
Covering health-related expenses (treatments, medications, medical tests, dental or eye care)
Accompanying beneficiaries to access medical and social services
Providing transportation in emergency situations (e.g., to the doctor or institutions)

Recreational Activities

Camps and excursions
Thematic workshops and clubs to nurture children’s and youth’s talents
Cultural activities (cinema, theatre, concerts)
Role-playing debates to encourage children and youth to express their voices
Summer schools to stimulate creativity

Continuum of Services

10 Years of Activity – Integrated Service Algorithm

Admission and Prioritization

Cases referred by authorities, teachers, police officers, social workers, priests, or NGOs
Cases identified in the field by the FARA Team
Vulnerable families who reach out directly to FARA Foundation

Admission Criteria:

Family income per member below the state-guaranteed minimum
Emergency situations (chronic illness, death, disability, parental abandonment, parental addictions)
Risk of school dropout
Risk of family separation
Risk of neglect, abuse, or exploitation
Risk of juvenile delinquency or criminal behavior

“When the program reaches full capacity, a waiting list is created. FARA Foundation reserves the right to notify the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection (DGASPC) about high-risk cases requiring urgent intervention or specialized services.”

Initial Assessment

Needs, vulnerabilities, and problems
Strengths, development potential, and available resources
Support network

Comprehensive Assessment

In-depth analysis of initial assessment data
Gathering specialized information across key areas (social, psychological, educational, health)
Synthesizing findings into conclusions and recommendations

Development and Implementation of the Individualized Intervention Plan

Setting objectives
Customizing the service package (type, duration, frequency, resources, responsibilities)
Consulting/informing the beneficiary or legal representative to adapt the plan
Providing services and case management
Maintaining communication with the family, support network, and other stakeholders

Monitoring and Evaluation

Regular data collection (from beneficiaries, team, family, community)
Measuring beneficiary progress
Assessing fidelity in implementing the personalized intervention plan
Evaluating efficiency, effectiveness, and impact
Documenting best practices

Service Termination

Identifying situations that justify ending services
Issuing a formal decision to terminate services
Communicating the decision to the beneficiary/legal representative

Post-Service Monitoring

Conducted over a 1-year period
Observing how beneficiaries apply the skills acquired during the program
Strengthening abilities by encouraging interaction between former and current beneficiaries

Working Approach

The multidisciplinary team operates within the community through direct interaction (in person or online), support groups, and individual interventions. The program is implemented by leveraging community resources in a complementary way to FARA Foundation’s investments in the social inclusion of children, youth, and their families. The program is active in the communes of Baia and Preutești, Suceava County.

Working Tools

Required documents to access services:

Application form for program inclusion
Social inquiry report
Social services agreement
Civil status documents, educational certificates, income statements, medical records (as applicable)
GDPR declaration and confidentiality agreement
Consent form from the beneficiary/parent for the use of photos and video recordings

Service Termination

Services may be terminated upon request by the beneficiary or parent/guardian, based on which a formal decision is issued. Situations that may lead to service termination include:

Completion of primary education

Achievement of age-, grade-, or curriculum-appropriate development

Program activities no longer meet the beneficiary’s needs The family no longer wishes to receive services

The beneficiary/parent fails to fulfill obligations outlined in the social services contract The beneficiary/parent causes harm to other beneficiaries or FARA team members

Infrastructure and Logistics

After-School Remedial Activities

These are offered at FARA’s facilities in the communes of Baia and Preutești. Use of these spaces is based on commodatum agreements between local authorities and FARA Foundation.

FARA Mobile Canteen

Two fully equipped kitchens provided by FARA Foundation

All food supplies are covered by the Foundation

Meals are prepared by FARA-employed cooks

Transportation is provided by FARA Foundation’s vehicle

Success Story

The Girl with Bead-Like Eyes

The FARA team visited the primary school in Bahna

and witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by children walking 15 km daily—through rain, wind, and snow—to attend school, returning home tired and hungry. Among them was Miriam. Cheerful yet shy, with bright, curious eyes, she knew nothing of the world beyond her village. Nor did her parents or siblings have answers to her questions about the future.

A Family of 10

They lived in a small, deteriorated house with no electricity or running water, where finding a quiet space to rest or study was nearly impossible. Despite their hardships, her parents wanted a better life for their children, even if they couldn’t provide the basics.

“I wanted to keep going to school because the ladies from FARA told me I could succeed. We talked a lot about it. I loved participating in all the activities they organized, and my teacher helped me so much—she was like a mother to me.”

FARA helped spark Miriam’s love for learning.

School gave her the skills and confidence to continue her journey toward social integration. With ongoing support, she was accepted into Mihai Băcescu College, in a dual education program for waiter-service training. But after just one week, Miriam considered dropping out to help support her family financially.

“Me or my family? Work to survive or school… for what? Who says I’ll even get a job? And if I can’t keep up, will my family take me back? Where will I go?”

Miriam returned to school.

She embraced her responsibilities, completed internships, and took on occasional jobs. Due to the pandemic, she had to return to her village, but her connection with the FARA team remains strong. Together, they continue to explore solutions for her future. Miriam has learned that life brings challenges—but also the resources to overcome them.

Impact

Annual relief for families from the pressure of meeting basic needs and accessing education

Reduced risk of social exclusion

Improved ability to manage anxiety, trauma, and poverty-related stress

Enhanced quality of life

Increased individual and social responsibility

Development of resilience, fulfillment of potential, and discovery of life purpose

Changing community attitudes toward disadvantaged children and families

Providing role models that inspire transformation

Strengthening individuals’ ability to identify needs, resources, and solutions

Building support networks of family, neighbors, relatives, and social actors

Transition from “victim” to “agent of change”

Increased access to social, educational, and medical services

Boosted self-esteem

Fulfillment of belonging and validation needs

Community engagement

Sustainability and Ecology

Children are the future—and the planet is their home! Through the program, our students learn about ecology, pollution reduction, and climate change. While these may seem like big topics for small children, our students are always eager to learn how they can become better members of society and responsible citizens of the planet they call home.

Support Provided to Date

942

children

1912

family members

students supported complete high school or vocational education

Join the Fight Against Poverty!

Support the Fighting Poverty Through Education program and contribute to community development and social transformation.

Material Support Provided

46000

hot meals

20240

snacks

1450

food packages

200

educational kits