Hannah in Moldova on EVS - 2010

After a day of travelling I sighed a breath of relief as I met my mentor at Chisinau airport. We jumped into a taxi, not a seatbelt in sight, and one of my very first impressions of Moldova was the roads, or in places the lack of. Pot holes were swerved round on the lane-less roads as we drove up the wide highway and entered the capital through the ‘Gates of Chisinau’; two vast apartment blocks on either side of the road reminiscent of the USSR era. Yet, these were exactly the stereotypes of Moldova that I had heard back home; poor infrastructure and vast concrete blocks left behind from the Soviet times.


However, I was soon to discover that Chisinau, and Moldova as a whole, has far more to offer than what fits into these stereotypes. One of my favourite things about the city is its greenness. Vast parks are found in every district and tall trees line the majority of the streets. Another favourite is all the markets selling fresh produce from the countryside, second-hand clothes at bargain prices and flowers in all the colours under the sun.

I am living with a host, an elderly lady called Lydia, together with another volunteer. We have our own bedrooms and the flat is fully functional and clean. Living with a host provides a great insight into the Moldovan way of life, as well as helping with learning the local language. The latter has been a great challenge, especially as there are two languages spoken here. At first it was difficult to decipher which language was being spoken, let alone understand what was being said. I hope, however, that with continued language lessons this will change. The hosting project of ADVIT Moldova that I am working at is the ‘Aids Foundation East-West’. It is a small office with only three permanent staff, of which only my boss speaks English, which is a challenge. So far I have been involved with preparing for and participating in the Aids Memorial Day, which took place on the 16th May and was a great success. I am the only and first EVS volunteer with this organisation. Due to the on-arrival training and intense language lessons I haven’t been to my project much yet. However, I am really looking forward to getting stuck in and involved with the work that they do.

I have got to know fellow EVS volunteers and there is a great volunteer community in Chisinau. There are always things going on in and around town, which is the benefit of being in a capital city. The transport has taken a while to figure out and I’m still not quite sure which number bus goes where, but I hop on and hope for the best.

It is difficult to answer the question ‘What are your first impressions of Moldova?’ It is simultaneously everything and nothing that I expected it to be, if that is possible. I like the pace of life here, taking things day by day rather than continuously planning ahead. To be a capital city, Chisinau is very relaxed. I am still discovering new things every day and look forward to continuing doing so throughout my stay here.

Hannah's stars on Youth Networks see: http://blog.youthnetworks.eu/2010/07/my-first-impressions-of-moldova/

Hannah is spending 6 months on a European Voluntary Service (EVS) project in Moldova. If you are aged 18-30 and would like to spend 6-12 months volunteering in Europe see: http://www.concordiavolunteers.org.uk/volunteering-overseas/european-voluntary-service/how-to-apply/ to find out more.

Moldova - Summer 2003

In 2003, Concordia was involved in setting up and supporting a new project in Moldova. Three volunteers participated in this project, which consisted of running a summer camp for disadvantaged children – including children with physical disabilities - and renovation of a school in order to create a comfortable learning environment and a centre where students can come for different after-school activities. Both schemes would have been impossible without Concordia support and, more importantly, the motivation and commitment of the volunteers who took part. Here one of those volunteers describes her experiences in the summer camp

To visit a place and embrace everything about it means to keep the memories and experiences of it in your heart. I will try to recreate these unbelievable moments of my magical Moldovan summer of 2003.

After a tiring but exciting overnight bus journey from the Romanian capital Bucharest, we arrived at the camp, a beautiful space full of natural play areas, a volleyball court and cute wooden huts. As we walked round to investigate I really felt the excitement and anticipation of the children’s arrival, to fill the quietness with their laughs and happy games. And within an hour they certainly had!

The camp was full of happy faces and at first some homesick, not so happy faces, which soon changed when friendships were made and smiles and hugs exchanged.

The first meal was the most memorable, the children looked at these three strange Brits sitting in the dining area, eating borsch and drinking punch (an apple stewed flavoured water) and watched with curiosity and bewilderment.

I think the children found the language barrier a hurdle at first, however this was only a small problem for a couple of days. Soon the naturalness and want for fun interaction took over, and very quickly it was if we were speaking the same language as opposed to coming from completely different parts of the world.

I believe we shared even more with these children as we communicated through smiles, hugs, laughs, games of 'it' and volleyball, or just sitting and sharing fruit in the wonderful Molodovan sunshine.

The spirituality and ethos of the camp encouraged respect and courtesy to be shown to everyone and everything, which the kids embraced wholly and maturely.

The games at night offered fun and laughter and relaxation, while the activities and themes for the day gave the children educational, fun times with a group feel, as well as freedom to develop friendships and personal skills.

These activities and games were so successful due to the commitment and dedication of all the volunteers involved, and CNG (the Moldovan volunteers) were just fantastic. The children recognised the friendship and trust of the volunteers, and their enthusiasm and energy had such a positive effect on the children and their everyday interactions, games and difficulties.

The parents' involvement and energy was overwhelming for me as they showered their children with encouragement and love, away from the harsh society of this developing country.

The beautiful, natural surroundings with space and adventure for the children with the sun shining all day, every day, symbolised the unbelievable happiness of the camp.

On our return, I look back on my remarkable experience with joy, pride and total admiration for all the fantastic people I met. They will always be in my thoughts and in my heart.

Thank you to Concordia, my fellow friends and volunteers and most of all to the wonderful children and their families. I miss them all very much."

Natalie Clarke, Moldova