The Roma Community Needs Your Help

  Romania

Brasov

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: ongoing

Description: Romania is a charming country that embodies the European spirit of past, present, and future. However, even as Romania is currently redeeming its rich heritage following the collapse of an oppressive dictatorship, the Roma people (also known as gypsies) are not able to take advantage of Romania's new economic opportunities due to severe discrimination, a lack of education, and lack of official identity records.

That's where Globe Aware, a 501 c 3 nonprofit charity, based in the United States, gets involved. Globe Aware has partnered with local Romanian organizations that are working to help underprivileged Romanians fight against poverty and injustice.

Globe Aware, by mobilizing short term volunteer programs, focuses on promoting cultural awareness and sustainability by enabling volunteers to work with children and at-risk Roma families to help with a variety of initiatives that include building houses and also educating the Roma children, enabling them to break out of the poverty cycle.

The fee for the program covers all project materials, food, lodging, onsite transportation, medical insurance, and a bilingual volunteer coordinator to assist the volunteer throughout their program. In addition, the program fee and the airfare to get there are fully tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

You can make a difference in the lives of the Roma community. You can be more than just a tourist, a silent observer of the Roma community's struggles. Visit Globe Aware's website today and find out how you can begin your own adventure in service!

Highlights: Free time may be used to explore Brasov's historic town center. Sights include two watchtowers, which protected the walled medieval center; and the famous Black Church. A cable car carries visitors to a stunning view of the Brasov center from atop a small plateau. There are a number of medieval fortresses and churches in the surrounding area. The most famous of these is Bran Castle (more commonly known as Dracula's castle), only 30 kilometers south of Brasov, as well as Rasnov, a quaint citadel. The group will spend the day on Friday visiting these sights.

Qualifications: No special skills or qualifications necessary.

Cost in US$: 1,390

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: The most typical volunteer is a working professional between the ages of 25 and 45.

Age Range: All ages are welcome.

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

Participants Travel to Romania Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of ,10

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Globe Aware's Mission Statement: Globe Aware seeks to promote lifelong advocates for a better world and to sustain the world's cultural and natural resources. The organization, together with the local community hosts, develops effective local solutions to global problems in non-religious, non-political, multi-international environments. The aim is to expand and foster cross-cultural peace and understanding between Americans and the rest of the world, to preserve culture and promote sustainability. Globe Aware expeditions provide volunteers the opportunity to live and work side by side with a host community. The hosts provide a safe and interesting setting in which to learn, help, and have fun. The volunteers help to empower the host communities in creating renewable, self-sufficient programs. While Globe Aware's financial assistance benefits the community economically, it is actually the involvement and collaboration between the volunteers and community that is the greatest mutual benefit.

Year Founded: 2001