Interview with Ghirdan Paul - member of EDERA organization

If You could describe Your organization in one sentence - what would You say?

Paul: Keep smiling :)

When did You start Your work in Romania?

Paul: We started in 2008.

What is the main goal od EDERA?

Paul: Our mai goal is to show children (from 5 to 14) what is right and what is wrong. We invite them also to different kind of activites like painting, dancing. We organize meetings with police officers, firefighters etc. to teach them right behaviours.

How many volunteers do You have in Baia Mare?

Paul: We work only in Baia Mare and we have 3 volunteers.

Do You have some foreign volunteers?

Paul: No, we don’t have foreign volunteers. Also we don’t organize exchanges but we are planing, why not?

What was Your the biggest undertaking?

Paul: This year we organized two weeks camp. We invited police officers, medics, psyhologists - all of them were volunteers and taught children some useful reactions. This camp was in church in Baia Mare, later we sent a group of children to the seaside.

Plans for future?

Paul: We don’t have any precise plans, but we are thinking about some activities during Christmas and taking part in some kind of festival in Baia Mare.

What activites do You have right now? Is there something special during summer or school time?

Paul: We are trying to organize painting and dancing classes which can be helpful in integrating. Not paying attention to children from poor families is a hugh problem in Romania and we want to change it - at least a little bit.

Is EDERA well known in Baia Mare? What are You doing to involve people to Your projects?

Paul: Yes, we are well known in local mass-media. It is very hard to involve people to our projects but we are begging them :)

From where are You taking Your funds to prepare activietes, projects ?

Paul: Most of our funds are from my me and my parents.

What is the biggest problem in Your organization?

Paul: Sometimes the biggest problem is ignoration - but only sometimes. Of course it’s all about money. When you don’t have it you don’t have hope.

Do You cooperate with any other organization?

Paul: Yes, we cooperate with Rotary Club and with churches. That part of our work belongs to my mother and she is responsible for all kind of cooperation.

GHIRDAN PAUL - EDERA