Pirita Children’s Centre
A safe place for children who need support.
At the Pirita Children’s Centre we support 25 children from families struggling with poverty and insecurity. Many parents work abroad; what remains are grandparents or relatives who are often overwhelmed themselves.
We give children safety, encouragement, and reliable caregivers. Through educational care, warm meals, learning assistance, and psychological support, we create a place where they can flourish.
What we offer
Structure and Safety
Here, the children can count on a reliable daily routine and carers who are there for them.
Educational Support
We support children in their learning, help with homework, and foster their social and emotional skills.
Warm Meals
Every day there is a nutritious meal. For many children, this is the only warm meal of the day.
Psychological Support
Our psychologist works with the children on emotional regulation and helps them to process difficult experiences.
Leisure Activities
Sport, play, creative activities, and outings give children the space to simply be children.
Who is the centre for?
We work with children aged seven to thirteen who face particular challenges. Referrals come through schools, nurseries, social assistance services, or the local community.
Many of the children grow up without their parents, experience neglect, or live in families that themselves have little support. At the children’s centre they find stability, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.
Das sagen unsere Familien
My children ask me every day when they can go back to the centre. There, they feel safe and looked after. For us as a family, that’s priceless.
I’m the one who takes care of my two grandchildren. The day center helps us tremendously. The children love going there and are always learning new things. It’s a huge relief for me to know that they’re in good hands —and not wandering around unsupervised along the banks of the Dniester River or in other dangerous places.
I’m raising my three girls on my own, and it’s not easy—especially since they would really need the attention of a mother. At the day center, there are teachers and caregivers who help them. They show them how to take care of themselves, dress properly, and handle other everyday tasks. For me, this is a huge help. The girls really enjoy going there, and I can rest a bit knowing they’re doing well.
I’m so glad my son attends the day center. There, he’s engaged in meaningful activities, makes friends, and comes home much more balanced. At home, he is usually just on his phone and doesn’t do much else. But at the center, it’s different: he participates in the activities and is much more attentive. I’m very grateful for the care he receives there, and I hope my youngest son will be able to go there soon too, because I know how good it would be for him.
Especially during the summer, the day center is a lifesaver for us. The children have a set daily routine, go on field trips, and experience things that we as a family could never afford. I’m just so grateful that they have this opportunity.
I really like coming to the center. Here, I’ve tried fruits that I’d only seen in books or on TV before. The teachers also help me pick out the right clothes and take better care of myself. I feel really comfortable here, and I love that everything is so clean and nicely decorated.
At the center, I feel free and safe. I love the group sessions with Ms. Tina, our psychologist. I’ve made a lot of friends here and feel heard and understood.
At the center, I feel free. No one insults me or says mean things to me. I’ve made friends here and am learning useful things, for example how to keep my things organized and take care of myself. My favorite part is the activities, especially the ‘Little Chef’ project.
It is so nice at the center. We have real bathrooms here, so we can wash and take care of ourselves every day. I really love coming here because we can play, do great activities, and learn new things. Here I’m safe and not alone. Sometimes I don’t even want to go home because it’s so peaceful here and I really like that.
Children who come to our center must, above all, feel safe and accepted. That is the foundation for everything else. Through daily activities, emotional support, and ongoing guidance, we help them develop harmoniously and build self-confidence—which is crucial for their future.
In our daily work, the children grow very dear to our hearts; we almost become a family. We are deeply involved in their development, support them through setbacks, and rejoice wholeheartedly in every single small step they take.
Investing in educational and developmental opportunities for children is not only an act of responsibility for each individual child, but our entire society. Childhood is a window of opportunity with the greatest potential for development. The quality of these formative years significantly determines the psychological, relational, and civic resources of tomorrow’s adults. Investing in children essentially means laying the foundation for our cultural, social, and economic future.