Maybe good news travels harder online than bad news, but the story of the 21 little carpenters from Mila 23 should make the rounds of Romania. It is an example of children's involvement in constructive activities that can open new horizons for them.
The photos above capture moments during the making of the boat. For three weeks, the little ones learned how to put into practice notions learned at school, in mathematics, geography or physics classes. Applied in real life, they materialize in a canoe. Moreover, they learned interesting things about the craft of boat building, they discovered the importance of waters for the development of human settlements in the construction of local identities. They learned how to use nature and resources without wasting them and what are the main principles of sustainable development.
Guided by Viorel Gheorghe, the coordinating carpenter, the students measured, drew, cut, sanded, sewed, glued and painted the materials to create first the benches, then the paddles and finally their own boat.
On Saturday, October 29, the canoe will be launched into the water at Mila 23. Once the Workshop is over, the children are included in the Călăuzele Apelor club, dedicated to all students who, over time, have been involved in the construction of a canoe in their locality. Călăuzele Apelor has so far included students from: Drobeta Turnu Severin, Eșelnița, Piscu, Chilia Veche, Sulina, Sfântu Gheorghe, Comana and Mila 23. The club offers children the chance to interact, exchange ideas and enter competitions between localities, activities that develop their spirit as guides of the areas they represent. Thus, they learn to appreciate, care for and capitalize on the local natural and cultural resources at their disposal.
The workshop is part of the "United Waters of Romania" project, which promotes the democratization of access to water and aims to raise awareness about the importance of water for community development. It is initiated by the Ivan Patzaichin Association – Mila 23 together with the Department for Sustainable Development, Active Citizens Fund – Romania . The United Waters of Romania workshop at Mila 23 was carried out with the support of Kaufland Romania.
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