The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, and Casa Bună Association (The Good Home Association), an organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable children in Romania, announce a new stage in their collaboration. The PepsiCo Foundation will grant 150,000 USD to the Association, enabling it to continue providing educational support, social assistance, and nutritious food to children in communities in Ferentari, Bucharest, and in the rural areas of Nucșoara and Lerești in Argeș County.
Through its ambitious programs, together with the support of the PepsiCo Foundation, Casa Bună Association aims to achieve the following objectives in 2024:
Children’s Assessment and Development of Personalized Intervention Plans:
This program was launched in 2022 with the support of PepsiCo Foundation, considering the special needs of children from vulnerable communities. In 2024, Casa Bună Association will focus on increasing impact through academic assessments and personalized intervention plans, efficient management of volunteers, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
Building Strong Rural Communities:
The objective for 2023 was to increase offline/physical presence in rural communities. In 2023, the association opened two physical spaces in the village of Nucșoara: an old school transformed into an after-school facility and a newly built cabin, which serve as locations for educational camps. Therefore, this year, Casa Bună Association will continue to be present in local communities through online lessons, regular vocational workshops that help children develop skills and confidence, educational activities focusing on preschool children, and scholarships to keep older children close, developing their skills for future jobs.
Addressing Food Insecurity:
In 2023, it was observed that food distributions attracted more families interested in enrolling their children in educational activities, providing stability for their participation. In 2024, food distributions will continue in Ferentari and Nucșoara, expanding to the Lerești community as well. In total, 222 families and 400 children benefit from these food distributions.
IT Support:
A staggering over 20,000 hours of one-on-one online tutoring have been provided since 2021 through the same program, nurturing educational growth. With the help of the internet, it is possible to reach isolated communities where volunteers are not available. Considering that the online lessons program has the widest coverage, one of the main objectives of the association this year is to ensure that all 400 children enrolled in the system are equipped for online lesson sessions.
„At the PepsiCo Foundation, we believe that active involvement in the communities we are part of is essential. Our partnership with the Casa Bună Association is more than just a grant; it is a bridge connecting us with vulnerable children in Romania. Through our support, we have managed to bring smiles to the faces of children and hope to the hearts of their families. We have seen how educational programs, social assistance, and nutritious food give them a real chance at a better future. We are determined to continue in 2024 this long-term collaboration to build a better Romania, where all children have the opportunity for a happy childhood and a prosperous future,” said Andrea Pont, PepsiCo Foundation Europe Lead.
“We have been present in rural communities in Argeș County for four years, and in three of these four years, we have built a good home together with our friends from the PepsiCo Foundation and PepsiCo Romania. We are at a point where children who did not know how to recognise letters when we met them are now reading simple texts and understanding what they read. We are at a point where we are increasing the number of children included in the program weekly, from the youngest, at three years old, to teenagers preparing for national evaluation. Last but not least, we are at a point where we are able to employ some of the young people who have grown up with us in these four years. We are reaping the rewards of sustained work and wonderful collaboration with the wonderful people at PepsiCo Foundation, who understood our needs and offered their support to grow healthy rural communities,” said Anca Sandu, President of the Casa Bună Association.
Casa Bună is an NGO that has been supporting children living in Ferentari, Bucharest, for over 10 years. The organization’s goal is to reduce school dropout rates, support children with learning resources, nutritious food, and medical assistance – all with the holistic aim of helping them succeed in their professional lives. Since December 2021, the PepsiCo Foundation has granted the Good Home Association funding of $250,000 to help children develop future skills and promote economic opportunities where they are most needed.
