Talita Kum enables Marinela to persevere at school

Marinela does not excel at schoolwork. But at 14, she has reached seventh grade without having to repeat a year. And that in itself is an achievement for a child with parents who are illiterate and older siblings who dropped out of school.

In Romania, a pupil must achieve a certain standard in order to progress from one year to the next. Talita Kum, Blythswood’s after-school programme in Jimbolia, is designed to help children from less-advantaged families to make the grade.

Talita Kum director Adrian Popa says: “There’s a good chance Marinela will make it to year eight, meaning she will most likely complete her secondary education. She is keen on sports and her wrestling club takes her to national tournaments. Perhaps we can direct her towards a career as a sports coach.”

Adrian is passionate about the importance of making sure that non-academic young people from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve basic numeracy and literacy. “It gives them dignity and a sense of personal achievement,” he says. “It’s essential for employment, to get a driving license, to avoid exploitation and premature marriage, to integrate into society. And I want them to be able to read the Christian scriptures for themselves.”