The news featured on this page comes from Carolyn White, volunteer administrator for NOROC, and Mary Ferris, Mission Co-Worker for the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. in Romania.
August 22, 2003
Carolyn White Writes:
Dear Friends,
I am so proud that I must share with you the good news. Hopefully I have summarized these facts accurately. Most of the students have been moved from Tulcea into the county-homes in the village and then moved again and again. It has been a very disruptive school year and very hard emotionally.
School is over in mid-June. Then there are "final" exams after 8th and 12 grade. NOROC's Big-hearted Friends is coordinated by Mrs. Marilena Solca, a French professor in high school. Marilena is our dear friend. She has found a wonderful group of retired teachers and professors who lovingly work with the students with their assignments. NOROC's tutors work with 1st graders, 8th graders, 12 graders and at-risk students. If the student does not pass the "final" exam in June, then he/she is given a second chance after studying during the summer. This is a very good system.
All of the first graders passed! Isn't this amazing and wonderful! A few years ago, children from the county-homes failed one to three times before being promoted to the 2nd grade.
In the primary school 15 boys passed, most with good and very good grades. One student failed in French but he will take the exam again in September.
All boys (total 11) passed the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade except one who failed his exam in June but passed his exam in August. Exams were given in mathematics, Romanian and history.
All girls (total of 16) passed the 7th and 8th grade in the same three subjects, except 2 who will retake the Romanian exam in September. One girl passed with an amazing average of 9.63 out of 10.
Both high school boys passed the 12th grade. One passed the difficult baccalaureate exam and the other will retake the exam in August. The only 12th grade girl passed on the second try.
Several of the older boys are getting into a college or university. We are so proud of them. Unfortunately the girls have never been counseled into higher education. It seems they are "only suited for the sewing factory," but we are changing this attitude.
The teachers and professors continue to work during the summer. There are also NOROC teachers for music, handicraft, tailoring, and "Sunday" school. I am so proud all of these teachers who love and motivate the students to be so successful and very proud of Marilena Solca's outstanding program.
Best wishes to all readers and Noroc!
Carolyn
These letters were written by Mission Co-Worker Mary Ferris to members of the churches which have supported NOROC's mission:
