Care Work in Romania with Projects Abroad

  Romania

Brasov

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: All Year Round (you set the start and end dates)

Description: Romania, in Eastern Europe, is an enchanting place to spend time volunteering with orphans. Although Romania joined the EU early in 2007, it is one of the poorest countries in the European Union. Widespread poverty, unemployment and corruption have made it difficult for the country to move forward, and have created a real need for the kind of work done by Projects Abroad volunteers.

You can experience volunteer development work on a Care placement in Romania during a college vacation, as part of a gap year in your education, on a career break, as part of an extended vacation or during your retirement. You can be a trained professional or totally new to the field. All we ask is that you have a passion for and a commitment to the work and the people you are there to help.

Volunteering in an Orphanage in Romania with Projects Abroad

The plight of Romanian orphans was well documented during the early 1990's by the international media, highlighting the need for the international community to respond to the problems of the large numbers of neglected orphans throughout the country. Although the government is now addressing the need for more funding and better homes, ten years on there remain a large number of orphans in Romania.

In recent years there has been a restructuring of the orphanages in the ancient city of Brasov, where Projects Abroad Romania is based. Volunteers now work in smaller homes for orphans; each housing about ten to twelve children aged between 4 and 16 years old. Local staff, including your placement supervisor, will welcome your dedication to improving the lives of these underprivileged children.

Volunteering Abroad with Children on a Care Project in Romania

Volunteering on a care project in Romania is a chance to make a difference in the day-to-day lives of a really deserving group of children. Your assistance will also greatly help support the dedicated but overstretched staff. All of the homes are eager to have volunteers with new ideas and energy to help the permanent staff. Sometimes, just talking to the children and regularly picking up the younger ones can make a significant difference to their development, but previous volunteers have also enjoyed helping teach some of the children basic conversational English, as well as involving them in activities such as song, dance, drama and sports during their free time.

Your accommodation will be with a local Romanian family close to your placement. This will give you a fantastic way to immerse yourself in local life and to really feel a part of this Eastern European community. Our Projects Abroad Romania office, a bustling center for volunteers doing all kinds of projects, is close by and our staff is available to offer help and support at all hours - day or night - should you require their assistance.

All volunteers taking part on a Care project in Romania must now undertake a Police Check, to demonstrate they are fit to work with children. This is easily arranged at your local police station and we will provide advice on this when you apply. Please note that it can take up to 40 days to receive clearance.

Highlights: Romania is an amazing country. The Carpathian Mountains covered in pine forests are its spine. The hills and plains of the three historical provinces, Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania emerge from these mountains. The Southern border is defined by the Danube. The Danube Delta, an exotic paradise for birds and fish, lies in the small Romanian province of Dobrogea, which has 150 miles of coast on the Black Sea.

The people who live in this country, the Romanians, share their world with Hungarians, Saxons, Gypsies, Turks, Tatars, Armenians, Jews, Russians and Serbs. The Romanians themselves never forget that they are the Latin people of Orient, descendents of the ancient Dacians.

All accommodation is organized, paid for, and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in Moldova.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: No qualifications or experience required.

Cost in US$: From USD 2,445 and up

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range: 16-70

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Romania Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992