Description
Ciresoaia is a village, in Slanic Moldova region, facing with serious social problems due to the poverty and marginalization. The situation has deteriorated in the last 20 years due to the domestic violence caused by the decreasing number of traditional jobs in the area, increasing poverty, alcoholism and gender discrimination existing in the local mentality. Sister of Providence Congregation is an association that works in the community since 2003 and knows the local social problems and their causes in detail. Through the project "STOP domestic violence - START LOVE & RESPECT", the sisters want to help the direct victims of this social circumstances such as children, young people and women, to change the mindset in the community, specially for the younger generation, about the gender equality and, through education, counseling and support, to eliminate the domestic violence phenomenon. The project seeks to engage community in the process using the power of positive example.
Summary of project results
The association decided to get actively involved in decreasing the phenomenon of domestic violence cases and the project results helped to reach the objectives proposed. Thirty two children attended, between July 2015 and February 2016, social and educational meetings, aimed at restoring their emotional balance, increasing their self-esteem, combating replication of the violent behaviour pattern in their group of friends and in school. Between July and September 2015, 15 people attended the psychological and social support group on the topic "Increasing self-control capacity and self-esteem". Each participant benefited from 6 sessions of 60/90 minutes each. The meetings were interactive and included indoor and outdoor activities, helping participants learn techniques for maintaining emotional balance in moments of tension. From October to December 2015, two groups were formed and they participated to a "Rules of relational hygiene" programme. Overall, 28 persons participated, in the two groups, in 6 meetings of 60/90 minutes each. A resource group was set up, made of families and persons that can be role models for the community. Two meetings with the Social Services of Slanic Moldova were organised and the topics discussed were: the extent of domestic violence phenomenon at local level; promotion of the services to possible beneficiaries; immediate and long-term solutions for serious cases. The project involved 10 multiplier volunteers that worked in the awareness campaign. Trainings for 5 employees and 10 volunteers of the association were organised on the topic "Specific concepts related to communication and organisation's external image". The campaign "Domestic violence as an important factor for exclusion and social marginalisation", conducted both in Ciresoaia and in Iasi, was attended by more than 250 persons.
Summary of bilateral results