My name is Çınar, I’m 20 years old, and I live in Türkiye. I decided to join this project because I have always been passionate about volunteer work. I’m an active member of a student club at my university, which manages over 20 ongoing volunteer projects, most of which focus on children. When I discovered the UNITY project, I immediately recognized it as a valuable opportunity and promptly applied. After completing the preparation process, we arrived in Craiova for comprehensive training. I felt highly motivated to support those in need and make a meaningful impact. I am hopeful that by the end of this project, I will have made a significant difference.
I am Marina, I’m from Italy, I´m 27, and I decided to participate in this project because it is an opportunity to develop valuable skills, and experience a unique cultural exchange. It promotes personal growth while building international friendship. Being part of this initiative allows me to contribute to creating a sense of home and belonging for those who have been affected by war and displacement. This project not only provides much-needed support to these children but also empowers local youth to be active agents of change.
I am Mario, I´m from Spain, I´m 29 and I decided to join this project because the topic was really amazing to me. I am working in the youth center of Ciudad Real and this opportunity represented for me an amazing challenge, since it’s going beyond my comfort zone, seeing other different realities and volunteering has been one of my aims before 30. This ECS challenge allowed me to exchange experiences and to share my time with refugees, and to fully know different realities from countries beyond the EU.
We, as a group, decided to travel to Romania to engage in volunteering service. In Craiova, we, as 60 volunteers from five different countries (Spain, Italy, Türkiye, Jordan and Romania), received an in depth training on childhood education activities that lasted for a week. Subsequently, a group of 12 of us was transferred to Bucharest. There, COSI (Civic Orientation and Social Integration) hosted us and outlined the details of our program, including possible activities and our objectives. We then proceeded to the Youth Center for a meeting where we were briefed on the specific projects we would be executing with the youth.
The UNITY project offers us a unique cultural exchange experience. Working alongside volunteers from different countries enriches our understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives. This immersion fosters tolerance, empathy, and a broader global awareness, making us a more informed and compassionate individual.
Participating in this project promotes personal growth and resilience. Stepping out of our comfort zone and facing the challenges of working in a diverse and dynamic environment helps us develop adaptability and emotional intelligence. These qualities are essential for overcoming obstacles and thriving in any situation.
Another significant aspect of this project is the opportunity to build international friendships. Collaborating with like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a difference allows us to form lasting connections and create a supportive community. These relationships will be a source of strength and inspiration in our future endeavors.
One of the main challenges we have experienced was during the Spanish Class, since we taught the basics, but as many of them didn’t speak Romanian, we have had to create an international team to make the activity profitable. It has been great to see such a successful activity and the interest we have created in beneficiaries to join EU opportunities.
During our time volunteering with the UNITY project, we spoke with an 18-year-old Ukrainian beneficiary. She had fled her hometown with her family and was trying to adjust to her new life in Romania. She shared her story, describing the fear and uncertainty of their journey and the difficulty of leaving everything behind. Despite these challenges, she remained hopeful, dreaming of continuing her education and supporting her family. She struggled with the language barrier and the emotional toll of displacement. Our conversation highlighted the need for language support and mental health resources, such as language classes and counseling. She also suggested social activities to help refugees connect with locals and build a support network. Her story reinforced the importance of our work and showed us how we could better support refugees like her in rebuilding their lives and achieving their dreams.
Finally, the project is a profoundly rewarding experience that inspires change and solidarity. The joy and satisfaction that come from helping others and witnessing the positive impact of our actions are priceless. Through public events and promotion activities, we raise awareness about the plight of refugees and the importance of inclusion and support. Our efforts can inspire others to take action and contribute to positive change in their communities.
In this sense, we have developed and amazing experience full of International activities that wanted to fulfill the needs of the beneficiaries and impregn Youth Centre with an international landscape: arabic calligraphy, Spanish and Italian class, international karaoke, cooking sessions, drag king activity and many surprising activities carried out by an outstanding Minifest which will take place the 4th August, plus the method Giant Doll House, which want to delve into our owns perspectives. Looking forward to it!
To sum up, participating in the UNITY project is a life-changing experience. It allows us to make a meaningful impact, develop essential skills, experience cultural exchange, and build a global network of friends. It is an opportunity to grow, learn, and contribute to a cause that promotes hope, solidarity, and a sense of belonging for refugee children and youth.
Do you want more info? Here you have some links where you can find more info about volunteering and FNT youth center:
FNT YOUTH CENTER: https://rotineret.ro
Instagram FNT: https://www.instagram.com/youthcentre_fnt?igsh=c2hxZ2N6eWhncmF4
European Solidarity Corps: https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity_en