In Iasi (the cultural capital of Romania's Eastern region of Moldavia), in a historical district well known as an intellectual breeding ground, lies the high school "Mihai Eminescu." It was named after Romania's national poet, who taught there at one time, and remains to this day one of the city's best high schools. This is also where a group of 20 underprivileged yet exceptional children from villages around Iasi will be fulfilling their dream of continuing their education in the city.
These students (together with another 20 who are studying at the "Grigore Moisil" High School) are receiving $500 each through the program entitled "Scholarships for Gifted Children from Rural Areas," organized by the local newspaper Monitorul and the County Education Department. In this year's program, three of the children are provided scholarships through the 2001 Cosmopolitan Club Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner project. Initiated at the suggestion of Cosmo resident Ana-Maria Popa, the project was coordinated by Andrea Shields and the Romanian Student Club at the U of I. As a result of our fundraising efforts, we collected over $1700 from generous donations by University students, faculty and staff, and by Champaign-Urbana residents. Also, Cosmo kindly donated all proceeds from the Thanksgiving Dinner to support the project, as it does every year.
Last December, Ana-Maria delivered the money to the headquarters of the Monitorul de Iasi daily. Of this sum, about $250 was allocated to buying clothes and school supplies for the children in the program. The remaining $1500 was used towards three scholarships.
The recipients of these scholarships, who might not have had the chance to go beyond 8th grade in their villages, are currently pursuing a top-notch education at "Mihai Eminescu." The mother of one of the students calls it "a gift from God." As it happens, Ana-Maria Popa also went to "Eminescu" High, and she is happy to be able to say that she helped provide the same wonderful opportunity for some needy children who show great promise. The Cosmopolitan Club Thanksgiving Benefit made this possible!
The Romanian Student Club would like to thank each and every one of those who contributed to making this project a major success, through donations and/or purchasing tickets for the Dinner.
Romanians preparing food for the International Dinner.
|
|
Iulia Demeter & Doina Costescu stuffing the grape leaves with the Lenten rice-and-vegetable stuffing |
|
|
Ana, Anca, Iulia, Ruxandra, and the never-ending grape leaf stuffing job |
 |
Iulia & Ana-Maria at the International dinner |
