Education serves as a foundational pillar of sustainable development, functioning as a critical mechanism for breaking generational cycles of poverty and fostering social inclusion. In Romania, school dropout remains a complex systemic challenge driven by socioeconomic instability, resource scarcity, and environmental vulnerabilities. To address these barriers, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Romania has mobilized its nationwide initiative, the "I Want to Go to School!" project, for the 2026-2027 academic year.
For the 2026-2027 school year, the initiative provides comprehensive support to 583 students across all major historical regions of Romania, including Banat, Bucovina, Crișana, Dobrogea, Maramureș, Moldova, Muntenia, Oltenia, and Transylvania. Beneficiaries are identified through established institutional partnerships with local schools and municipal authorities, focusing specifically on students who demonstrate academic promise despite severe socioeconomic adversity.
"Sometimes, a schoolbag, a few school supplies, or basic food means much more than simple material help... When we invest in a child's education, we are actually investing in the future of an entire community." — Gabriela Istrate, ADRA Romania Project Manager
The initiative delivers a multi-layered intervention model designed to maintain student enrollment and enhance academic engagement. Core operations include the distribution of essential school supplies, clothing, footwear, and hygiene kits tailored to individual needs, alongside continuous basic food supplies for beneficiaries and their families throughout the academic year. Furthermore, the project incorporates targeted parental counseling aimed at reinforcing the value of continuous education at home, periodic workshops focused on personal development, self-esteem enhancement, and vocational guidance, as well as the organization of free holiday camps dedicated to students who are achieving high academic performance.
Sustaining nationwide educational interventions requires coordinated financial and logistical backing. Stakeholders and community members can contribute to the "I Want to Go to School!" project through several formal channels, such as direct volunteering with regional implementation teams and material contributions comprising school supplies, non-perishable food items, hygiene products, and apparel. Additionally, supporters can make financial contributions via official ADRA bank accounts, through the secure online portal at adra.ro/donateaza, or by participating in the automated SMS campaign which allows donors to contribute 2 EUR by texting the keyword "ADRA" to the short code 8845.
Active since 1990 under the guiding motto “Justice. Compassion. Love”, ADRA Romania operates as an accredited social service provider. As a constituent entity of the global ADRA International network—active across 118 countries—the organization delivers impartial humanitarian aid and development programming designed to empower vulnerable populations irrespective of race, ethnicity, political affiliation, or religious belief.
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