Blog translated entirely by volunteers!


Blog translated entirely by volunteers!
coordinated by Stephen Hallstrom, Peace Corps volunteer
and Anamaria Cătănoiu, Center coordinator
Volunteers, highschool and university students: Constantin Drăgoi (București/Bucharest), Ovidiu Panaite (Cluj), Oana Zlatovici (Suedia/Sweden), Olga Unguru, Ioana Tuvene, Alexandra Pădureț (Iași), Mihaela Hăican (București), Liviu Dîrdală, Ioana Cozma, George Georgescu, Alina Rotaru, Andreea Marcu




Friday, December 5, 2008

The Foreign Languages Center, on-line with USA


The pupils from the English Club talked with an American by computer
The coordinator of the Foreign Language Center, Anamaria Cătănoiu, prepared a surprise for the children who attend the English Club. They participated last night at a video conference with one of the main book donators, who lives in the United States of America, the American John Korst. The pupils from many schools in Focsani, between 10 and 12 years old, had the chance to talk with the American. Even if they were very nervous, they asked him things about him and America and he gave them all the answers.
 
Because the children don’t know English very well, the volunteer teacher of the center, Ionelia Bobaru, helped them with the headmaster of the Kindergarten no. 15, Alina Badiu, who was very thrilled about this activity. Anamaria Cătănoiu affirms that such kind of on-line video conference was organized with John for the first time and she would like these activities to become something usual, because the pupils were very happy that they had the opportunity to talk with an American. ”I provided them a surprise, but it was a test and a pilot class at the same time. We wanted to see how the children react, if they like the idea, because we want to do in the future these kinds of activities on different educational themes with John.”, Anamaria Cătănoiu told us.

Article written by Anamaria Cătănoiu – coordinator Foreign Language Center
Translated by Liviu Dîrdală - volunteer

The Library=Home with Volunteer Santa Claus






Warm and friendly atmosphere today at the Foreign Language Center of the Vrancea Library. Volunteer Santa Claus came with many presents as announced and he enjoyed the openhearted appreciations and congratulations of the people who came, young and old, to get the presents.

Children, pupils, parents, teachers, volunteers, and readers were all thrilled when they saw the beautiful paintings on the wall, on canvas and polystyrene, made by Viorica Pricope from the Imitative Arts High School in Focsani. The artwork gave the Foreign Languge Center a more intimate atmosphere so those who enter it feel more at home. Also, to beautify the house, Titi Florentin Leica painted pictures in oil, the most recent work, Taj Mahal, which opened the series of paintings on the theme of cosmopolitanism which the Center promotes. The launch of the fairy tales book, the bilingual edition French-Romanian, written by the teacher Mihaela Fetcu, had the same success, being appreciated and bought by those present.

The other two Santa Clauses enjoyed the appreciations and the sale, but weren’t present to give away their creations: Maricela Boldaşu, from Imitative Arts in Focsani, who made ear-rings and jewelry from all kinds of materials and Melania Grozavu, who made Christmas furnishings, crowns and natural table arrangements, to the great joy of the ones who wanted to give a Christmas gift.

The very affordable prices of the gifts made the shopping windows empty. For those who want something more, there are still in Santa’s bag, at the Foreign Language Center’s building some small presents which are waiting to be given to the loved ones.

Finally, the children of two members from the English Club for the Foreign Language Center, Irina Leica and Alexandra Hrubaru, overcame their flutters and caroled the audience with Felice Navidad.

Santa's symbolic toy bag was labeled „E-news from Home! At this e-mail address”, and Santa invited all of them to give their name and e-mail address to be permanently informed about the activities of Vrancea County Library and The Foreign Language Center. Tudorel Bezea, volunteer from the Center, from the sociaty MAUX DESIGN Focsani, is taking care of the realization and administration of the database.

Besides the five Santas, who are all voluntary workers of the Foreign Language Center, there were other volunteers who contributed to make today’s meeting to be possible, who put their best foot forward in all they have done. All the present ones were rewarded with something sweet from Santa, apples and nuts, like the Christmas tradition of Romanian people.
The Foreign Language Center received presents from Santa Claus, too. Collaborators, sponsors and donators wanted to give presents for the whole community through the agency of the Library: new furniture from Neoset, a Christmas tree and globes from the volunteer mother, Dana Şerbu, a new computer from Razvan Mustea and a wireless router from RDS Brand.

Mass-media from Vrancea endorsed the promotion of the Foreign Language Center among the community of the all activities and services, like the Scorpion company from Focsani.
Us, and you, our dear readers, The Library from Vrancea and The Foreign Language Center address you the warmest thanks from the soul.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We’re waiting eagerly at your other home!

Article written by Anamaria Cătănoiu – coordinator Foreign Language Center

Translated by Liviu Dîrdală - volunteer