TK2 gives Florentin the support he needs to avoid dropping out of school

Talita Kum saves kids from dropping out of school

Learning for Life in Romania – Gift Code R2

An eleven-year-old who speaks three languages has been referred to Blythswood by his teachers in what has been described as a desperate last resort as they could no longer handle his behaviour in school.

Florentin remains in the third year at school having failed to make the grade twice. Unlike in the British system, pupils in Romania start school aged seven but are required to reach a standard in each class before they progress to the next.

“He could neither read nor write when he joined TK2 in September,” says Adrian Popa who directs Talita Kum, Blythswood’s after-school programme in Jimbolia, southwest Romania. “In four months with us he has become better integrated socially, less aggressive, keen to please teachers and cooperative.

Progress is slow but he likes calculus and is trying to read and write. We’re not willing to believe that a boy who can speak Romanian, Serbian and Hungarian is a lost cause.”

Adrian notes that Florentin makes a huge effort to come as he lives 3km away but never misses a day. For one of a large, low-income family living in sub-standard accommodation, the cooked meal at Talita Kum is as important as the educational support. “He volunteers to lay the table, clean up and help,” Adrian says. “He likes the food and always asks for more.”