 This project will create a school designed to promote the cultural education of children from the Csango culture. The Csango are a non-westernized segment of people who strive to maintain their rich cultural heritage, but are often socially isolated and estranged from those with whom they share a common ancestry.
Historically, the Csango people have roots in Hungary, but now live extremely impoverished lives on the eastern slopes of the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, parts of Moldavia and the Ukraine, as borders were moved as a result of war and occupation.
It has been said that the Csango people "find themselves a minority by force, not choice." For the most part, the Hungarian people have a great deal of compassion for the Csango people and demonstrate a strong interest in integrating them as part of mainstream society; however previous attempts at inclusion have been unsuccessful due to lack of resources and support.
The Csango people have attempted to preserve their rich Hungarian-based heritage, which has influenced central Europe as well as the world for centuries. However, they find themselves quickly losing the language, traditions and culture that identify their unique population. Those Csango children attending public schools are often ostracized, discriminated against and are unsuccessful in an environment that does not accommodate their unique language, customs or culture.
This project will focus on providing these Csango children with the tools to gain an appropriate education relevant to their culture through the development of a school dedicated to the preservation of their unique cultural heritage and related literacy. All funds from this grant will be designated to equip the school with necessary items such as books, desks, chairs, tables, chalk boards, computers, toilets and kitchen supplies. | 
