Debrecen4U August 28, 2025

Students of Cívis Tanoda received school supply packages

To mark the start of the school year in September, the Debrecen Charity Board once again aims to support children from disadvantaged families in Debrecen with a significant donation. As part of this initiative, students of the Cívis Tanoda on Pósa Street received school supply packages on August 27, 2025.

The  Debrecen Charity Board hopes that, as in previous years, a large number of families will benefit from these donations. In 2024, 250 children from families in need received support to help with school preparations. This year, they have already surpassed that number, having assembled nearly 300 packages so far. Each package, valued at approximately 12,000 HUF, is distributed to those in need. In addition, the  Debrecen Charity Board plans to provide vouchers worth 12,000 HUF per child — primarily to large families and single-parent households—for purchasing school supplies. The packages typically include pens, notebooks, erasers, graphite pencils, colored pencils, markers, watercolors, and tempera paints.

Cívis Tanoda has been operating since May 2024 in the Nagysándor district, serving primary school-aged children. It is maintained by the EU-Roma National Association. During the school year, it runs in the afternoons, and during summer break, it operates during the day, engaging 20–30 children. Its mission is to support educational catch-up, compensate for disadvantages, and promote meaningful leisure activities. Its primary goal is to help students become active participants in the labor market and accepted members of society as adults, capable of pursuing short- and long-term goals based on clear values.

At the August 27 event held at Cívis Tanoda, professional director of Cívis Tanoda and former president of the Debrecen Charity Board Éva Juhász Rózsahegyiné welcomed attendees.

Deputy Mayor Diána Széles, co-chair of the Board, spoke about how the back-to-school period is challenging not only for children but also for parents. They hope to make this time easier and more joyful for many through the donated supplies. True to tradition, the Debrecen Charity Board launched its school supply collection campaign weeks ago. Thanks to contributions from the city government, civil organizations, institutions, individuals, helpers, and volunteers, the packages handed out were assembled. The Deputy Mayor emphasized the importance of making the package distribution a community experience. She also noted that the city government continues to provide back-to-school support for those in need, and applications can still be submitted at the Social Department of the Mayor’s Office in the New City Hall.

Edit Bódor, president of the Debrecen Charity Board, expressed her joy that Cívis Tanoda students participated in many programs over the summer. Now begins a new chapter, and the new school year offers children the chance to achieve better academic results—with the help of the donated supplies. She recalled that students from the University of Theatre and Film Arts also participated in this year’s collection, meaning young people helped children just a few years younger—a beautiful expression of love.

The school supply collection campaign of the  Debrecen Charity Board continues until mid-September (15th–16th). This allows students from schools under the Debrecen District Center and the Debrecen Vocational Training Center to contribute supplies at the start of the school year. According to Edit Bódor, the goal of this part of the campaign is not so much to increase the quantity collected, but to help children feel the joy of giving. Additionally, donations are being collected at the Sziget-kék Thematic Playground until mid-September, where the flower float titled The Power of a Hug, symbolizing love, is also on display.

The handover of the school supply packages at Cívis Tanoda was made even more festive by a musical surprise performance from drama students of Debrecen Ady Endre High School—Benjámin Mezei and Dóra Terdik for the children and parents present.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu