Description
Bucharest's 3rd district currently lacks a center for education and care for children with disabilities. This is a particular challenge for parents who are trying to reintegrate themselves into the labor market; without specialized services, it is not possible for both parents to enter the labor market. Moreover, those especially vulnerable to social marginalization are most affected. The overall objective is to ensure and promote equal treatment and access to the labor market for women and men, trough interventions not only in the area of early childhood education, but also to raise awareness of equal rights in labor law and overcoming cultural stereotypes. In order to facilitate the integration and maintenance of the female population in the labor market, education and care for children with disabilities aged between 0 - 7 years will be developed and provided, in order to reconcile family life and professional activity. Another benefit of this project is the fact it addresses the double discrimination face by Roma women, not least among Roma families who have children with disabilities. The Lizuca Center will provide education and care for 25 children with disabilities, 7 of them coming from Roma families, aged between 0-7 years old. It will operate in 4 groups of 6-7 children, as follows: 1 small group, for 7 children aged 0-3 years; 3 major groups, for 18 children aged 3-7 years; 60 persons and family members of children. The Center will provide early childhood education focused on physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children, care, protection and nutrition services, health surveillance, as well as complementary services for the child and family.
Summary of project results
The District 3 Directorate for Social Assistance is also the promoter for another daycare center. The center, named “Lizuca”, benefited from a grant of 360.000 euros and serves 25 children with disabilites, out of which 7 Roma. The main purpose of “Lizuca” Day Centre is to prevent parental desertion and the separation of pre-school disabled children from their parents, by providing a day-time range of activities that include care, education, counselling, leisure activities and socializing, skill development for independent living and school guidance for children, and counselling, support and education for parents or legal representatives and other caretakers. "Lizuca" Day Centre is fully adapted both in terms of provided services and in what regards the specific needs of the children. It includes a medical consultation room, psychologist’s office, and designated rooms for various activities (games, drawing etc.), dormitories, mess hall, kitchen and bathrooms. In order to involve the local community, specifically the Roma comunity members, 2 debates and 5 workshops were held, involving informal Roma leaders and debating the needs of the community, gender stereotypes and means of fighting social, ethnic and gender injustice. Some delays and setbacks were registered in contracting the refurbishing company, but the lost time was recovered further on.
Summary of bilateral results