0758-570-751
0758-570-751In the Pirita community of Baia Mare, childhood often begins with obstacles that many of us never see.
Poverty, lack of access to basic services, and systemic discrimination profoundly affect the lives of children.
For girls, these challenges are often even greater.
Many of them grow up taking on domestic responsibilities from a very young age, facing the risk of early school dropout or pressure towards child marriage.
Without safe spaces where they can speak openly about their bodies, health, or rights, girls often endure difficult situations in silence — and their education becomes increasingly fragile.
Starting from this reality, the Pirita Children Association, in partnership with the E-Romnja Association, is implementing the project “Girls Are the Heart of the Community – No Girl Excluded” — an initiative dedicated to supporting girls in the Pirita community to stay in school, build self-confidence and shape their own futures.
The project is grounded in a simple belief: when a girl has access to education, support and opportunities for growth, the entire community becomes stronger.
A central element of the project is the girls’ mentorship programme, through which 29 girls from the community will take part in age-appropriate activities.
The youngest participants will be supported in their transition to school and in building self-confidence.
Girls in primary school will attend emotional education workshops and discussions on rights and belonging, while teenagers will have dedicated sessions on health, healthy relationships, decision-making, and planning for the future.
Alongside this, the project aims to engage the wider community.
Awareness campaigns will be organised on the importance of girls’ education, the prevention of gender-based violence, and menstrual health, as well as workshops for parents and community members.
These activities seek to reduce stigma, strengthen parental responsibility, and foster dialogue between the community and local institutions.
The project also includes the formation of a local multidisciplinary team, bringing together representatives from schools, social services, and the community to identify at-risk situations early and provide timely support to girls facing difficulties.
Through these interventions, our goal is for the girls of Pirița to stay in school, find their voices, and develop their autonomy. Education, safety, and respect should not be privileges — they should be rights for every child.
Because when a girl is supported to learn, to speak her mind, and to dream, she becomes a force capable of transforming not only her own life, but the entire community around her.
The project is implemented by the Pirita Children Association, in partnership with the E-Romnja Association, with the support of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, Switzerland.
