Foreign language school in Dubăsari opened with the support of the EU and UNDP

Elena Comerzan opened a foreign language school in her hometown of Dubăsari a year ago. For more than a decade, she taught English and German in Chișinău, but the thought of returning home never left her. With the support of the European Union, provided through the “Confidence Building Measures” programme implemented by UNDP Moldova, Elena equipped the school with the necessary furniture and equipment.

“I started working while I was still at university. I always told myself that one day I would return home, to my town,” Elena recalls.

In the town of Dubăsari there had been no foreign language school. There were only occasional private lessons offered by a few teachers at home or in schools. Elena wanted more for the young people in her community: a modern and interactive learning environment.

“I opened this school thanks to the European Union funding. Only then was I able to get the business off the ground,” says Elena. She received ergonomic furniture and interactive boards, as well as mentoring to help put the school on a stable footing.

“I received answers to every question. I learned along the way how to attract clients and develop my business. I started with 25 students. I remember the first days – I was emotional but full of hope. Now, after one year, we have more than 80 students enrolled in our courses,” Elena says proudly.

The school offers English and Romanian language courses, and German courses will also be introduced later.

“We have more than 20 students, both adults and children, learning Romanian. Among them are Ukrainians, foreigners settled in the region, as well as local residents who did not know Romanian and who can now communicate and integrate better,” the young entrepreneur adds.

So far, the school has created three stable jobs, and one of the teachers, who had planned to move to Chișinău in search of better employment opportunities, decided to stay in Dubăsari.

Elena’s project is about hope, about building bridges between people, and about offering equal opportunities regardless of where people live. In a constantly changing world, the ability to speak several languages opens doors – to education, to better jobs, and to greater understanding between diverse communities.

The foreign language school opened a year ago in Dubăsari has become a dynamic space where children come with enthusiasm, where adults return with confidence, and where teachers find the motivation to contribute to a more united community.

“I want my students to have the same opportunities as those in big cities or abroad. Education should not be a luxury, but a right for everyone,” Elena says.

By supporting small and medium-sized businesses, the European Union’s Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP, contributes to creating economic opportunities on both banks of the Nistru River.

This material was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its content is the sole responsibility of the Confidence Building Measures Programme, funded by the European Union. The content of the material belongs to the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.