In a significant cross-border humanitarian effort, ADRA Romania has successfully concluded its December 2025 "A Small Gift for a Big Dream" campaign. This initiative, as part of the broader "I Want to Go to School!" project, provided personalized support packages to 603 high-achieving students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds across Romania.
The campaign was made possible through the mobilization of Seventh-day Adventist churchcommunities in Spain, England, France, and Italy. Total contributions for the month reached approximately EUR 45,000, providing material aid, educational motivation, and emotional support to children at risk of dropping out of school early.
Regional Impact and International Collaboration
The distribution of aid was organized by regional administrative divisions, paired with specific international donor communities:
Moldova and Bukovina (178 students): Supported by the Seventh-day Adventist churches in Watford and Newbold College (England), with additional support from Rome (Italy).
Wallachia and Dobrogea (117 students): Facilitated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in London (England) and Rome (Italy).
Southern Transylvania (78 students): Partnered with the Eben Ezer Seventh-day Adventist Church in Madrid (Spain).
Oltenia (70 students): Supported by the Emmaus Seventh-day Adventist Church in Madrid (Spain).
Banat and Crișana (63 students): Collaborated with the Maranatha and Alcala de Henares Seventh-day Adventist churches in Madrid (Spain).
Northern Transylvania and Maramureș (59 students): Assisted by the Grenelle Seventh-day Adventist Church in Paris (France).
Wallachia and Moldova (38 students): Received focused support from the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Rome (Italy).
Strategic Objectives: Combating School Dropout
The "I Want to Go to School!" project specifically targets two critical academic transitions: the entry into middle school and the transition to high school. By identifying students who maintain exceptional academic records despite financial hardship, ADRA Romania aims to remove the economic barriers that frequently lead to premature withdrawal from the education system.
Project coordinators emphasized that the aid was highly personalized. In many regions, donors selected students by name, ensuring that packages met specific individual needs. According to regional managers, this approach serves a dual purpose: providing essential supplies while reinforcing the students' sense of self-worth and academic motivation.
"Your gesture went beyond a simple donation... it conveyed value, respect, and love. For these children, the packages meant encouragement and the conviction that someone, even from a distance, believes in them,” explained Daniel Andrei, ADRA Oltenia project coordinator.
Methodology and Partnerships
Beneficiaries are selected through a rigorous process involving:
Partnerships with local municipal offices and mayors.
Direct collaboration with school principals to verify academic merit.
On-site assessments by local ADRA volunteers.
About ADRA Romania
Established in 1990, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Romania is an accredited social service provider and part of the ADRA International network, which operates in 118 countries. Guided by the principles of justice, compassion, and love, the agency provides humanitarian aid and development assistance regardless of race, ethnicity, or religious affiliation.
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