Soroptimist International Ministry of Education Child Rights

Soroptimist International Ministry of Education Child Rights Information International Organization Union of Norway Center Moldova for Migration Project Hopes and dreams for Everyone January 2006 – June 2011 SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL, Union of Norway Forum for Women and Development / FOKUS Ministry of Education of Republic of Moldova International Organization for Migration / IOM Child Rights Information Centre Moldova (CRIC Moldova) 1

• • • General Information about Republic of Moldova, the central part of Europe in the northeastern Balkans Population on 1 January 2011 (without Transnistria) – 3, 560, 430* Children under 18 year-old – 745, 606 (20. 9% of the total population)* Considering different estimates it is up to 600, 000 Moldovans reside outside the countries under different reasons 135, 000 children had one or two parents abroad in 2009 (1 st of September) 8, 800 children live and study at 63 residential institutions, 8. 7% orphans 10 % of overall repatriated victims are from residential institutions *according to the National Bureau of Statistics http: //www. statistica. md/ 2

Trafficking in Moldova: figures and trends Total beneficiaries of the countertrafficking programme IOM Moldova assisted in 2000 -2010 Main countries of destination (more than 40 destination countries) Types of exploitation Total: 7110 -Victims of trafficking (Vo. Ts): 2741 -Children of Vo. Ts: 1226 -Prevention cases: 2624 - Stranded migrants: 95 -Victims of domestic violence: 298 - Unaccompanied minors: 103 -Children left behind: 23 Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Balkan countries, United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, Moldova Sexual, labor exploitation, begging, combined, organ removal 3

Trafficking in Moldova: figures and trends Area of residence Rural areas – predominate Urban areas – appr. 1/3 Capital – less than 1/10 The education of Vo. Ts tends to be lower that of general population. Most of them have been educated up to grade nine. Appr. 10% have professional education. The situation can be explained by lack of attractive employment opportunities, unfavorable conditions for young specialists/“beginners” and unfair treatment on the part of employers. Victim/recruiter relationship 1/3 are recruited by acquaintance 1/6 by a close friend Recruiters are from every age group and gender 4

International Organization for Migration (IOM) since 1951 IOM Mission to the Republic of Moldova since 2001 Motto: - Managing Migration for the Benefit of All IOM - principal International Organization in the field of management of migration: – Assists in meeting the growing operational challenges in the field of managing migration – In-depth research and understanding of migration issues – Harnessing the economic and social development potential of migration – Upholding the dignity and well-being of the migrants • • • Membership increased from 67 States in 1998 to 132 States in 2011 Field locations increased from 119 in 1998 to more than 400 at present. Active projects increased from 686 in 1998 to more than 2820 at present. 5

The Child Rights Information Center (CRIC) is a nongovernmental, independent and non-political organization, founded in 1998 Mission CRIC's mission is to contribute to the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRIC) in the Republic of Moldova by spreading the information and by supporting children's participation initiatives. CRIC's programs: - Psycho-social integration of children from boarding schools - Social integration of children left behind because of migration of their parents - Children's Participation - Monitoring by children of the Convention on the Rights of the Child www. childrights. md 6

Profile of institutionalized children • • • Orphans / semi-orphans / social orphans Aging from 3 to 20 year-old Negative aspects in behavior that may be characteristic for children due to their long-stay in residential institutions: – unstable behavior, tempted to manipulate – use of vulgar language, verbal and physical aggression – tempted to run away and become beggars, could start alcohol and drug consumption at an early age, and be involved in various law violations: robberies, stilling – not enough developed life skills – low self-esteem, disbelief in their own forces and uncertainty in making a choice low interest in education – dependence on staff and protection system – desolated and not sure about their nearest future. They look with great uncertainty towards finding a job or entering an educational institution • They feel need in commitment and attention 7

PROJECT GOAL Preventing trafficking in human beings from Moldova through developing sustainable living conditions for a priority group of girls and boys living in boarding schools and in this way creating an understanding of an alternative to their going abroad in search of happiness. PROJECT OBJECTIVES 120 teenagers are trained annually in the field of Life Skills Education and vocational orientation and professional development; 30 graduates girls and boys received support and assistance during continuing their professional studies necessary for the integration in community (since the project start in 2006, more than 90 young persons received this long-term support, - as on average a beneficiary is actively involved in for 2 years) 8

PARTNERS International • Soroptimist International, Union of Norway • FOKUS Norway • International Organization for Migration (IOM) • CARITAS Czech Republic National • Ministry of Education of the Republic of Moldova • Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family • National NGOs for children and youth Regional • District General Departments for Education, Youth and Sport • Regional Departments for social protection • Regional NGOs for children and youth Local • Local Public Administration • Residential and community educational institutions • Local NGOs for children and youth 9

ACTIVITIES I. Annual life skills development workshop for young people (13 -16 years) from 4 boarding schools Contents: • Self-esteem • Assertive communication and constructive conflict resolution • Teamwork and relations with peers and adults • Participation and making informed decisions • Healthy life style and HIV/AIDS and other STD prevention • Working legally and illegally in the country and abroad • Choosing a profession and the educational institutions • Finding and keeping a job • Preventing trafficking in human beings and other types of abuse 10

II. Ongoing training for the team of social assistants employed to provide support to the graduates of boarding schools • The social assistants acquired various methods and techniques of evaluating children at risk • They exercised behaviors and abilities that would help holding counseling meetings, motivational discussions with the beneficiaries and parents or tutors. • The social assistants received training on other topics: health education, post-institutionalized children and young people participation in the process of their integration into community 11

III. Assisting boarding school graduates in continuing high school/professional education • Support during admissions to high schools or vocational institutions: preparing a set of documents to enter the educational institution, admissions contest 12

Beneficiaries' accommodation: identifying space for living, furnishing the living space At the beginning I was very sad because I had problems with my family and had no help. Then, appeared help for the girls from the boarding schools, I found out that this help is for us and I got more concerned, I was scared of entering this project. Then I joined the project to see what they can help me with, and now I feel like an angel. Liudmila, Falesti 13

Allowance, materials and equipment required for studying, materials and equipment required for daily life 14

Profound information and life skills development program: hygiene, food, healthy life style, house holding, self-respect, communications and relations with peers and adults, orientation and communication, preventing social risks (abuse, delinquency, trafficking in human beings, irregular migration) and health risks (smoking, drugs, unprotected sex, undesired pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and other STDs), searching for a job, employment and keeping the job. I became more confident and sure of the profession I have chosen. I have no doubts about submitting my papers to enter the educational institution and I think that in life in order to achieve something you need to have a goal and to put effort into achieving it; Elena (Vascauti) 15

Network of community actors (governmental institutions, NGOs, community/local institutions) involved into integration/reintegration of post institutionalized children. I understood that there were many organizations that were ready to help a child, but we should be active, to be able to establish a link with these organizations and to be able to ask for help, Rodica (Cazanesti) 16

IV. Evaluation and continuous monitoring 17

How the beneficiaries change due to their involvement into the project • Got acquainted with the surrounding world by themselves but under the supervision of trained persons • Started developing their life skills independently • Make informed decisions for their education, the work they will be doing or getting in touch with their biological or extended family • Became “resource persons” for other peers, adults from the environment where they live, study, work • Able to set short and long term goals and develop steps towards achieving them • Gained positive thinking • Have courage to speak up, have increased acquaintances with peers and adults • Became socially active, involved in various extra-curricular activities • Have increased self confident and trust in those who are around • Volunteer in various social, medical projects, etc. 18

Risks / problems • Closed-type residential institutions • Staff flow within authority institutions (Ministry of Education, Regional departments for Education) • Minimal quality standards for social services are only developing in Moldova • The national network of social assistants recently started its activity • Prevention of trafficking in human beings and other social and risks for the health in many cases remains with NGOs and international organizations • Educational system is very theoretic, the educational component is left in the shadow (especially, Life Skills Education) • Local/regional level does not have enough high quality and sustainable child friendly social services; The state does not have enough specialists prepared to provide high quality child/youth friendly services • The gain experience may not be overtaken and developed further 19

Proposals/suggestions • Multiplying project’s experience to vocational institutions and higher education institutions • Training all community actors for integrating /reintegrating institutionalized/post institutionalized children 20

Now I look at life as a winner. I am proud that I am part of this project and along the way I will see all the “crops and fruit”. . . , and I hope that the fruits will be sweet, Viorica (Napadova) 21