Imparare Giocando
Day Care Center is located in Villaricca, Naples. The center, which opened in 2007, currently aids children and youth who were spending a lot of time on their own or in the streets. Now they play in the safe, fenced in yard, participate in cooking and computer classes, and receive help with homework. They also receive English lessons and hear Bible Stories.
Read more below....
December 2011
"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary:for you have found favor with God. And, behold, you shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS." Luke 1: 30-31
Dear sisters and brothers,
The boys and girls at the Daycare Center "Imparare Giocando" have made an Advent Calendar and each day in opening a window they find a Bible verse from the book of Luke which tells them the marvelous story of Jesus' birth. But one of our younger boys, 6 years old Mattia wanted to know how Mary could have the baby without having married Joseph before and so that wasn't an easy job for the teachers to help Mattia understand the power of God's love to humanity by giving us His son through Mary and Joseph.
I must say this is really the most joyous time of the year for all the children and staff when we can share this message of love and hope which is renewed yearly but which we should hold in our hearts everyday. Of course this is also a time of thankfulness and gratitude to good people like you who are sharing in our Mission of loving and caring for boys and girls in this part of the world.
The International financial crisis is not making life easy for many many people but my motto is that if we're able to share even the little we've we shall help to ease the lives of many children. Each drop helps to fill the cup!
Last Monday we welcomed Stefano, 9 years old. His father has just lost his job and has five children to take care of. Stefano is the youngest and has lived this unhappy situation caused by the loss of his father's job by not really participating in his school work and other activities. The mother heard of our center through the local priest and so brought the child to us in the hope that he may regain confidence and joy in his daily life. Fortunately the other children gave him a warm welcome and are trying to help him and make him feel better.
We've 19 boys and girls coming to us each day and there are 5 teachers helping them with their homework as well as teaching them handicrafts, cooking,and English lessons. During the last weeks the children have been making Christmas decorations to put on their big tree as well as making a special Christmas handicraft to give to their families. We're ever thankful to our good friend Sandy (an American sponsor) who is teaching the children to sing anEnglish Christmas carol which they will perform as well at our Christmas party on December 22nd when we shall also welcome the children's families and share with them the spirit of Christmas and the many Gods' blessings bestowed upon us during the past year.
On behalf of the staff and children of Imparare Giocando we wish you good health, peace and joy.
In Christ's love,
Rosaria Vincenzi
A Status Report on Learning by Playing Monday, 12 dicembre 2011
The non-profit association, Learning by Playing, is dedicated to providing after-school care and direction to the children of Villaricca and neighboring areas. Founded in 2007, the Center currently serves 20-25 children from the ages of 5-15. Currently, monthly operating expenses are:
Rent:850.00 Euros, Electricity:80.00 Euros, Gas: 60.00 Euros, Miscellaneous: 1000.00 Euros (supplies, food, volunteer stipends) Total: 1990.00 Euros
Our current fee schedule ranges from 50 Euros per month per child to 100 Euros per month per child, based on a family’s ability to pay. Some do not pay at all, given the family’s financial situation. Given this, it is not unusual that in some months, our income cannot meet our operating expenses. For this reason, all monetary donations help our efforts in Naples! Thanks to our American friends for their generous gifts to us! Submitted by :
Mariarosaria Russo (Rosaria Vincenzi)
