From our TeachersThe teachers who make these trips are all volunteers. They are not paid for their efforts. Yet they willingly leave their families and give up five weeks of their summer vacations to make this journey. They want to help nourish hungry, young minds and to stimulate them with new experiences and knowledge and bring them in touch with other cultures and ideas. They have the unique opportunity to experience a foreign culture first hand. In addition, they share some American culture with their students through language, music, and those traditional favorite pastimes; softball and basketball.
"All of us enjoyed the numerous dinners with Romanian families. These experiences allowed us to truly take part in the Romanian culture. From the delicious homemade dinner to the potent homemade alcohol, we got to experience first-hand a special and important part of Romanian life. Above all, it was these social moments which allowed us to develop relationships with some very special people. We developed a sincere and meaningful friendship with one of the English teachers who showed us around. In the process, this taught us more about Romania than we probably taught Romanians about America."In the end, this was definitely a memorable and worthwhile experience. We would highly recommend it to anyone who is a little brave and interested in a mutually beneficial and educational experience."
Kyle Kerstetter, Jeff Gonce, Alison Bricker - Romania 1999
"I was amazed how informed and interested the Romanians were about the world and their country even though they were isolated so long. They were so warm, caring and passionate about everything around them. I'm ready to go back!"Rod Almeida, Teachers for Tomorrow volunteer 1996
Teachers for Tomorrow salutes Samantha Seaman, one of our volunteer teachers during the summer of 1996. Sam was very moved by her experiences in Romania, and upon returning home, launched into a single-handed fund raising campaign that has resulted in more than $1000 in donations to help carry on our important work in Romania. We thank you, Sam!
"Many of my friends here in the United States ask me if the trip was worth the time, effort and expense; my response: Romania is incredible!"Thomas Switzer, Teachers for Tomorrow volunteer 1998
A number of Teachers for Tomorrow volunteers organized a drive to collect shoes and socks to help meet the needs of the children institutionalized at Paclisa. These gifts were delivered to Paclisa before the end of November 1996, so the kids would have them in time to help during the long, cold Romanian winter.
In February 1998 Janet Haines, accompanied by Louise McLeod and Lauren Bird,both neighbors of Janet’s in Doylestown, and Janet McFadden, a long time friend and supporter from Newark, Ohio, travelled to Romania. They took with them 200 pairs of shoes that had been donated for the children there. They delivered the shoes to the Medical Dispensary in the tiny village of Densus. Densus is in the state of Hunedoara, in the region of Transylvania. It’s about 10 miles from Hateg where TFT has conducted summer English classes for several years. The shoes were received by Doctor Emil Crisan who would oversee their distribution to any child who needed them at no cost.