On 16 February 2016 we stepped resolutely into our first year of life. With a small, then, but enthusiastic team, many sleepless nights, but with passion and a huge belief that together we can move mountains, we set to work and built step by step an organization for Romanians in the Netherlands.
Now at one year anniversary of our existence, it's time to thank all those who helped us formulate a vision, create a team, have many unforgettable moments and build a community.
We, Ana-Maria, Dana and Catalina, the three of us founder, we are happy and grateful to have discovered and managed to weave passion into this Foundation board collaboration. We have learned to be one in nature and breath, realizing that we represent on a small scale even three large parts of Romania.
Thanks
We, the Foundation's team, thank all those who were with us during the Colectiv project, too many to list here, but fantastically important in the energy that led to the creation of the Foundation and the choice of the name: Romanians for Romanians.
We thank all those who enthusiastically encouraged and stimulated us from the very first days to organize and helped us to build a coherent programme: Ioana Biriș, Ramona Sandu, Irina Stoica, Ioana Voiculescu, Corina Kroes Lazăr, Irina Arhip, Elena Simion, Isabela Dragnea, Alex Simu, Ingrid Multhaler, Bettina Binder (thank you for promoting Ikki Productions events), Lucian Morariu, Elena Napotnik, Adela Similie, Ioana Niculescu van Oostveen, Emily Stanică.
Thank you to everyone who helped us with the creation, maintenance and translation of our website: Ioana Voiculescu, Jan Willem Bos, Corina Kroes Lazăr, Elena Malinici, Viorica van den Bogerd and Iulia Modi Agterhuis.
The Romanian Embassy, for its support, encouragement and participation, since the first days of the Foundation's operation. Her Excellency, Ambassador Brândușa Predescu, for her support and trust.
Claudia Marcu, for her constant presence and highly professional reporting, not only at our events, but also at any important event in the life of the Romanian community in the Netherlands.
The entire Foundation team thanks those who joined us at the launch events: Alexandru Iosup, for moderating, Jan Willem Bos and Andrea Teunissen, for their participation and support, Ramona Sandu, Elena Simion and the teams of volunteers involved in the organisation (Eliza van Peppen, Elena Șerban, Liliana Pollak-Bonea, for the energy with which they coordinated the children's activities, Loredana and Marius Tripp, always with us with love and dedication, Ana-Maria Vasiliu (Mioritza, The Hague) and Cristina Andriescu (Roemwijn) for the delights they brought and Adina, Lucian Pert and Mădălina Porumb, for their support as volunteers.
We would also like to thank all those who presented themselves to the public on these occasions: the artist Ștefan Postol, Brândușa Gritu (Bg & Partners), Andra Ștefan (Amsterdamming), Mira Feticu (writer of the novel Tascha), Sorin Orcinschi (Nederlands Philarmonisch Orkest), Ioana Voiculescu (Shining Mama), composer Alex Simu.
Thanks to the whole team who contributed to the Tilburg project: Oana Paenen, Viorica van den Bogerd, Daniel Iacob.
The whole team that contributed to the Groningen support project: Lucian Morariu, Dorina Buda, Daniela Mustață).
Stefana Ciumpiliac and Elena Simion for their help to the parents of the Slotervaart student.
To our partners Andreea Tănăsescu (La Blouse Roumaine) and Ioana Biriș (Roemenië maar dan anders) for making #iaNederland 2016.
To Elena van den Berg, for the initiation and consistency with which she has maintained the custom of the Dam Square meeting.
To all those who coordinated the simultaneous implementation of the Iei Day in six Dutch cities: Ramona Sandu - The Hague, Simona Dragomir and Crista Blok - Rotterdam, Liliana Pollak-Bonea and Loredana Tripp - Alkmaar, Voichița Zubașcu and Corina Kroes Lazăr - Groningen, Vlad Niculescu - Eindhoven.
Ramona Sandu, Anca Dranca, Irina Arhip, Johann Stan and Marius Lepindea, for initiating and developing the Romanian Business Community.
Thanks to those who have lovingly and determinedly laid the foundations of Interconnections Online School and who spend dozens of hours each week preparing lessons and communicating with those eager to learn: Dana Popa, Maria Popescu, Carmen Popescu, Gia Crișan and project manager Ruxandra Aelenei.
Total dedication also at the Romanian School Amsterdam, where the constant efforts of the team are very well received by children and parents. Thanks to all of you who started and put your heart and soul into this school: Ana-Maria Murariu, Cătălina Robu, Eliza van Peppen, Nicoleta Ancuța Oprea, Daniel Sandu, Raluca Tudorache, Dilek Iusuf (Little Romania), Mirela Marinescu, Gia Crișan and Adriana Luminița Pop.
Hugs and thanks to all those involved in the core team, without you the Foundation could not make any progress:
| Volunteers | Teodora Oproiu and Rebeka Rotter |
| Resources | Irina Arhip and Lucian Pert. |
| Financial | Ana-Maria Murariu |
| Funding programmes | Cristian Ciobotea and Viorica Baas |
| Marketing | Dana Cosman, Mihaela Niță, Oana Spulber, Lucian Pert, Maria Cojocaru, Ghio Coste, Natalia de Jong, Corina Bordeianu and Maria Popescu |
Lavinia Tănase, who kindly offered to host our Christmas team meeting.
Friends of the Foundation, among whom we would like to mention: League of Romanian Students Abroad Netherlands Branch, Jan Achtereekte (NetSib Foundation), Dennis Stillewagt, SimArt Paintings, Raymond Janssen, Annelies Kuijs, Mihai Scarlat Ensemble, Cristina Stoian Portraits, Andra Stefan (Amsterdamming), Dana Marin (Amsterdamian), students from Rotterdam, Andreea and George Ogararu, Orthodox priest Oprea from St. John Chrysostom Parish Amsterdam.
To those who always come to support us as volunteers, participants or supporters of the Foundation: Emily Stanică (Roma in the Netherlands), Liliana Popescu (Roma in Haarlem), Andreea Berkhout (Roma in Eindhoven), Lucian Morariu (Roma in Groningen), Irina Mărculescu, Laura Furdui, Ionuț Rusu, Roxana Rusu, Elena Postol, Ștefan Postol, El Marius, Doralin Ilie Cârstea, Mugur El, Dorina Tamaș, Dragoș Udrea, Lucian Clinci, Dumitrela Moroșan, Loredana vd Engh, Juno Giuvara, Livia Fedeleș, Florentina Toma, Gabi and Nuți Virlan (Moldavië Amsterdam), Daiana Rusu, Eleni Grecu, Cristi Vasilescu, Daniela Claudia Nacu, Diana Ams, Lucian Negoescu, Cecilia Negoescu, Andrei Iordan, Ciprian Crismaru, Angelo Cenec, Claudia Vendrik, Bog Gav, Oana Andronache, Otilia Ciobanu and Raluca Georgiana.
To all 70 volunteers who have given their free time to Foundation activities and to those who are now in the process of joining the volunteer team.
To our wonderful young supporters, Ioana Alexandra Murariu and Stefan Bele, and their parents.
If we have forgotten anyone, please contact us.
We are also very grateful to our partners, children and friends for supporting us to dedicate a large part of our free time to an ideal we believe in.
We start our second year of life with all this energy and love and thank you once again for helping us get here safely.
Happy birthday, ROMPRO - Români Pentru Români Netherlands!
team ENMPEN
