Project: The Herculean Force of Education: Strengthening Futures, Empowering Lives
Organisation: Hercules Association
Mission
The Hercules Association, established in 1997, provides educational support and social services to vulnerable children and families in Romania. Through its Hercules Center in Costești (established in 2007) and BufKids Center in Buftea (established in 2020), the organization serves 100 school-age children daily, offering a safe and nurturing environment conducive to academic and social development. The mission of Hercules is to enhance the quality of life for disadvantaged children and combat generational poverty through education and personal growth.
Project
The objective of this project is to promote equal opportunities for disadvantaged children in Romania by improving their access to quality education. These children, often belonging to Roma ethnic minorities, extremely poor families, or residing in rural areas, encounter systemic barriers to education such as underqualified teachers, outdated resources, and unengaging curricula. The challenges are intensified by parental difficulties with financial instability and a lack of confidence in the education system, which may put these children at risk of continuing the cycle of poverty. The initiative supports 100 vulnerable children (aged 6-14) across two daycare centers located in Costești and Buftea. By making education engaging, relevant, and transformative, they aim to keep children committed to lifelong learning, prevent engagement in harmful alternatives, and empower them to become independent, responsible individuals. The goal is not only to prevent school dropout and functional illiteracy but also to support the growth, development, and long-term success of these vulnerable children.
Impact
This project will directly support 100 disadvantaged children aged 6 to 14 from poor families, rural areas, and Roma communities. Indirectly, it will also benefit their families and communities by improving educational outcomes and future prospects.