They were reciting poems, reading stories with children and handed out gifts to them. Today, the Romanian Ambassador Marius Lazurca, and the Executive Manager of the Social Investment Fund (MSIF), Mircea Eşanu, participated in the inauguration of the kindergarten in Copceac village, Stefan Voda rayon. The kindergarten was completely renovated for money from the grant, provided by the Romanian Government for preschool institutions in the Republic of Moldova. The Chairman of the Stefan Voda rayon, Nicolae Molozea, the primar of Copceac village, Vasile Tintari, staff members of the institution and parents were present at the inauguration event.

The kindergarten in Copceac village is one of the 774 preschool institutions in the Republic of Moldova, which has benefited from financial support from the Government of Romania, through MSIF. Thus, for the investment of 2.1 million lei, a water supply network and a sewage system was built, electrical networks and the heating system have been changed in the kindergarten. Also, the canteen and sanitary blocks of the kindergarten have been renovated, new doors and windows have been installed, the exterior walls have been thermally insulated. The kindergarten yard was landscaped with a paving laid on.

The Ambassador appreciated the repair works which have been carried out in the kindergarten in Copceac village. "Together with MSIF and local authorities we have managed to repair kindergartens in the Republic of Moldova. I have tried, as much as possible, to be present in all regions, in roder to highlight the importance of the initiative of the  Romanian Government to contribute to the modernization of preschool institutions. We want to have good conditions in all kindergartens, just like at this institution," said the Romanian Ambassador, Marius Lazurca.

The Executive Manager of the MSIF thanked the Romanian Embassy, local authorities, the kindergarten administration for involvement and responsibility they have demonstrated. "This is just one result of the support provided by the Romanian Government for kindergartens in the Republic of Moldova - 23 million euros, money that have arrived directly to beneficiaries. Thus, every second preschool institution in Moldova was repaired. The kindergarten in Copceac village is a positive example. Results of the investment of 2.1 million lei is visible for everyone: the kindergarten is warm and parents are satisfied with the conditions in which their little ones grow up and educate", the Executive Manager of the MSIF, Mircea Eşanu, said.

According to the administration of the kindergarten, after renovating the building, the number of children attending the kindergarten has increased from 70 to 110. Also, a declined number of viral diseases was registered. Present at the inauguration, the rayon Chairman, Nicholae Molozea, said: "We thank to the Romanian Embassy and the MSIF for the contribution provided  to the Stefan Voda rayon. Each kindergarten of the 30 existing in the rayon has benefited from the grant offered by Romania".

After the speeches of the officials and the performances of the children a poetry competition was organized. Surrounded by children, the Romanian Ambassador, Marius Lazurca, read to children a fairy tale, and the Executive Manager of the MSIF, Mircea Eşanu,  recited to them poems and told riddles. Finally, children were rewarded with toys and books.

Background information:

For the renovation and equipping of kindergartens in the Republic of Moldova the Government of Romania has allocated 20 million euros through the "Program of technical and financial assistance granted by the Romanian Government for preschool institutions in the Republic of Moldova" and 3 million euros through the project "Enhancing access and degree of children's participation in early education in the Republic of Moldova".

The financial resources provided by the Romanian Government are used for:  capital improvements of buildings, replacement of the roof, heating systems and electrical networks, arrangement of playlots, replacement of windows and doors, thermal insulation of exterior walls, construction of water supply and sewage systems in kindergartens,  arrangement of toilets and bath rooms, providing equipment, furniture, etc.

The MSIF is an institution founded by the World Bank and donor countries in order to contribute to the development of the Republic of Moldova by managing the external assistance.