Report from Turda

According to our activity agreement we spent few weeks in a small Romanian town in the central part of the country. We went there directly from our on-arrival training in Azuga. After sleepless night in the train we were picked up from railway station in Cluj and after one hour we have arrived to Turda.

The main objectives were to carry out sports and art activities with children, to support English teacher trough organising lessons and interactive games with pupils. It was also an opportunity for us to face new challenges, meet interesting people and discover amazing places.

The project took place in two different educational establishments: a primary school and a Technical College. When we arrived there for the first time, we were surprised by the hospitality and enthusiasm of both teachers and pupils. The activities organized by us brought a lot of joy and satisfaction. Moreover, during our stay in Turda, we had a chance to promote EVS among youth and tell them about its benefits. We hope that more people will be concerned with volunteering now.

We also want to thank all friendly people whom we have met in Turda for support, help and kindness. We are looking forward to see you again!

On-arrival training in Azuga

From 30th of September to 3rd of October on-arrival training organized by our boss Marzena Pitus from Europejskie Forum Młodzieży took place in Azuga (the small resort town in the mountains).
The main goals were to give us necessary information about “Amicus” project, talk about Youthpass and its advantages for our self-development as well as integrate our “Polish mafia” team. In the evenings we were discussing about our personal aims we want to achieve and skills we want to learn. During free time we were hitch-hiking around. We have visited a lot of amazing places and even were looking for a real Dracula. At the end we went to Bucarest for a trip. To sum up: we had a great time!!

The results of our last research

Here we present  obtained results of our last research. We have asked  people what do they know  about voluntary service in Baia Mare and what in general do they think about it.  The aim was to get some useful information in order to see if the population in Baia Mare is aware of what is happening in their city and if they have clear understanding of what volunteering is. We believe that people will be more concerned with volunteering and maybe they would like to be volunteer also and take part in local events and projects.

1.       Have you ever heard about idea of volunteering?

2.       Have you ever heard about European Voluntary Service?

3.       Do you know some volunteer organization in Baia Mare?

4.       Have you ever heard about any of this volunteer organization?

5.       Are you a volunteer?

6.       Have ever been a volunteer?

7.       Do you have some volunteers among your family/friends?

8.       Do you think volunteering is necessary and useful in Romania? Answer in scale from 1 to 10.

9.       Do you think volunteer organizations are well known and advertised in Baia Mare?

10.   Do you think that foreign volunteers are more valuable than Romanian?

11.   Do you see any disadvantages in voluntary service? If yes what kind?

12.   Do you take part in event  which were organised by volunteers or voluntary organisation? 

13.   What should be work of volunteer organization in Romania?

14.   Have you heard about “Let`s do it Romania” project?

Conclusions: Many people are aware of volunteering but they don’t know what this really is, so they don`t want to take part in voluntary service. We should work on the development of volunteering idea among Baia Mare`s inhabitants.

Red Cross

If You could describe Your organization in one sentence - what would You say?
We are like a big family, where everybody learn something from the others.

When did you start your work in Romania?
In 1876.

What is the main goal of Red Cross?
Let’s say it straight: first aid and social help.

How many volunteers do you have in Baia Mare office and how many in Romania?
We have around 40 volunteers in Baia Mare, however in whole Romania about 25 000.

Do You have some foreign volunteers?
Here in Baia Mare we don’t but in big cities like Bucharest I am sure they have.

What was Your the biggest undertaking?
There is a lot to say. Last year in October for example we opened “food bank” and we prepared packages for Christmas. We will do it also this year.

Plans for future?
We want to gain new volunteers, develop cooperation with other organizations and of course do our work.

What activates do You have right now?
For now we have summer break so I can’t say much about that. We only have summer camps for trainings.

Is Red Cross well known in Baia Mare?
Yes, because of international character of our organization.

From where are You taking Your funds to prepare activates, projects?
We are taking our funds from: City Hall, from Bucharest Red Cross Office, from first aid courses.

What is the biggest problem in Your organization?
We don’t have big problems. We have small ones depends on project.

Do You cooperate with any other organization?
In Baia Mare we cooperate with Somaschi, boy scauts, catolic community, Sacro Cuore. 

Interview with Caludia Koblicica and Crina Serbu - members of ARTEMIS organization

If You could describe Your organization in one sentence - what would You say?

Claudia and Crina: Helping women and children who are victims of violence.

When did You start Your work in Romania?

Claudia and Crina: We started in october 1999.

What is the main goal od EDERA?

Claudia and Crina: Like I said before, we are trying to help victims of violence.

How many volunteers do You have in Baia Mare?

Claudia and Crina: We are local organization but there are similar around here - for example in Cluj Napoca. Because of kind of help we don't have many volunteers, our work suppose to be confidential.
We involve youngsters from schools only to help in promotion activities.

Do You have some foreign volunteers?

Claudia and Crina: No, we don't have.

What was Your the biggest undertaking?

Claudia and Crina: We are taking part in international campaign - 16 days against violence.
We are proud of the fact that every year we help around 100 women and children.

Plans for future?

Claudia and Crina: To go on and develop our work.

What activietes do You have right now?

Claudia and Crina: During whole year we are giving psychological consultation.
During school time we organize trainings to improve people's awareness
about fighting with violence.

Is EDERA well known in Baia Mare? What are You doing to involve people to Your projects?

Claudia and Crina: Yes, a lot of people know Artemis. It like "Helping chain" - people who got help advice others to come and help themselves.

From where are You taking Your funds to prepare activietes, projects ?

Claudia and Crina: It started with EU project after that since 2006. So we had funds from there. The city hall decided to pay people who are working in our organization.

What is the biggest problem in Your organization?

Claudia and Crina: The difficulty to obtain funds.

Do You cooperate with any other organization?

Claudia and Crina: Yes, for example with City Hall, Child Protection, HHC, Somaschi, YMCA, Femina 21 and during our campaign with all kinds of media.

Interview with Andreea Tundrea - President of Team 4 Youth Association

Andreea Tundrea

President of Team 4 Youth Association

When did you start your adventure with voluntary service?
Andreea: In 2008, September I left from Romania to be an EVS volunteer in Bystrzyca Klodzka, Poland for 9 months. I didn’t know exactly what I was supposed to do there, I was just happy to join such a project after finishing my university studies. I spent 9 months working in EFM office, dealing with different activities for youngsters and children. This is how I started my adventure as a volunteer and this is how I decided that I must start my career as a youth worker.

 

What was the reason that you decided to go abroad as a volunteer?
Andreea: After finishing my university studies I was too confused regarding what my future career should be. I decided to go abroad for an EVS in order to broaden my horizont about different cultures, different people, different possibilities. It helped me a lot!

Where did you spend your voluntary service and what kind of project it was?
Andreea: I did my European Voluntary Service in Poland, Bystrzyca Klodzka. It is a small town in south-western part of the country. Mountainous region, beautiful landscape. My project was about the EUROWEEK, school of leadership. It is a national training course for youngsters. It takes place one week every month. I was one of the trainers and facilitators of the event. I also worked with English language classes in the local community. What is more, I got involved with some of the projects of the hosting organization and this helped a lot in gaining experience about what youth work is. As a multiplying effect I work now with an NGO in my own country.


Why Poland? Why EVS?
Andreea: I didn’t choose the country, the country chose me. I sent lots of applications for EVS to different organizations that I found interesting on the EVS database. The Polish one called me first and the idea of the project seemed very interesting to me. Also, I wanted to get to know a culture that I didn’t have access to before and Poland was one of the best choices. EVS, because I find it to be a great opportunity for youngsters to live in a different environment, to grow up, to learn to be active, to have access to different ideas, opinions. It is a way of forming a new perspective about the world, about your own life.


What is the difference between Amicus and EVS?
Andreea: This is an easy question for me, as I spent days and nights trying to find the answer when I was helping in the preparation of the project in Poland. What I found out: Amicus is a programme concentrating on promoting and encouraging civic work and voluntarism. It has three main parts: dissemination of information on a national level (this means information campaigns, national events, competitions in the applicant country), research in the partners country (with the help of the AMICUS volunteers and the partners, the coordinating organization must provide a report stating the level of civic work and voluntarism in the participant countries), and voluntary service (this is pretty much similar with what EVS is, that is hosting and sending volunteers abroad in different activities).


What is the main reason that you decided to work in your own organization in Romania?
Andreea: My friends and I always say that once you join youth work you do it for life, it’s addictive. Being an EVS volunteer in Poland was my first step towards this addiction. I couldn’t stop afterwards so I decided to open my organization in Romania. What makes it so addictive: non-formal education is one of the things really missing in the lives of youngsters, especially in central and eastern European countries. When you start a project for non-formal education and you see how youngsters develop so fast under your coordination and how much they enjoy and need that you provide activities for them, the personal satisfaction is so significant that you can’t think about working in another field. The intercultural part is also fascinating and really important.

Team 4 Youth's activities 

 

Interview with Bogdan Ilutiu - member of SOMASCHI organization

If You could describe Your organization in one sentence - what would You say?
Bogdan: Nice! Try to be close to people in need.

When did you start Your work in Romania?
Bogdan: In 1994 we organized our first summer camp but officially we started our work in 1997. 

What is the main goal of SOMASCHI?
Bogdan: Helping children in need (homeless, from broken homes).

How many volunteers do You have in Baia Mare?
Bogdan: In Baia Mare we have around 30 volunteers but we collaborate with the others, who used to live here but they moved to different cities.

Do You have some foreign volunteers?
Bogdan: Yes, we do. Every year we have a few foreign volunteers. For example from Italy.

What was Your the biggest undertaking?
Bogdan: We opened night shelter – the only one in this area - for homeless children and with law
problems.

Plans for future?
Bogdan: We will try to develop our work to prepare youngsters (over 14) to social life and build up their future.

What activities do You have right now?
Bogdan: In one hand we carry day center for children from 12-18 years old, who attend school. From the other hand we try to persuade those who don’t to continue their education. There is also a foster house with 8 children and we help them. The other important thing is that our volunteers are trying to persuade addicted people to quit it and visit our shelter. We have our own pharmacy, where people whom we help can get free medicaments.

Is SOMASCHI well known in Baia Mare? What are You doing to involve people to Your projects?
Bogdan: Yes, we are quite well known. To involve more people we are doing volunteer’s recruitments.

From where are You taking Your funds to prepare activities, projects, etc.?
Bogdan: We are taking our funds from: City Hall, donators from Italy, from ourselves, government. We also sell things made by children.


What is the biggest problem in Your organization?
Bogdan: Lack of qualified crew, and of course money.

Do You cooperate with any other organization?

Bogdan: Yes, with Caritas, ASSOC, Red Cross, City Hall, Esperanto and Churches.