The summer time in Cernavoda is always full of activities, trips, groups and visitors. This year was no different. It is a great time for the young people at Nightingales and in Cernavoda to meet new and interesting people. A time for some of them to learn new skills; and also step up to use these newly learnt skills.

Dauntsey’s School from Wiltshire have been coming to Nightingales every year for the last 11 years. It is a fantastic partnership. The young people from Dauntsey’s learn new skills and are forced to open their eyes to some of the problems and pressures facing those people in Cernavoda. They run a week of activities to which anyone in the town is welcome to come. This year saw about 150 people a day come to these activities. Young people from all walks of life in Cernavoda, young people who would not normally mix socially were there enjoying the activities. For the young people of Cernavoda it is a week when they can forget their problems and enjoy fun activities all day everyday.

One of the highlights this year was seeing one of the quietest girls of the project translating for the Dauntsey’s students.  She came out of her shell and one day completely led an activity with 15 children and 5 English students. It was just so brilliant to see this.

Stand International (based in Scotland) bring out three teams a year.  This summer they bought a fantastic team who did some amazing building work, working alongside the young people at Nightingales .

This summer the team worked hard but also were a great example for one of the young men from Nightingales in particular. During the week we saw him work side by side with the Scottish team, often getting angry as they talked in English and he couldn’t understand. But at the end of the week with the whole team from Stand having really enjoyed spending time with them, he apologised to them and told them that he would miss them and that he had learnt a huge amount.  It was amazing to see his maturity and the way he was able to apologise and express himself.  Something he would have struggled with in the past.

The summer also means beach trips, getting out and BBQs. The young people who live at Nightingales love this period and this year was just the same. Baba had his birthday at the beach, we had many walks in the town; Trips to Constanta and also the Girls at Risk had a fantastic few days away just south of Constanta. The summer is huge for the work we do. Working through long hard winters it gives our young people and staff something to look forward to. It also makes for a perfect place for conversations when people are relaxed and happy.