My experience volunteering in Moldova at the Center for Developing International Relationships / Edugolux school, arranged through Love Volunteers, was fantastic. I could not have had a better program director or host family. The experience has changed me and is one I will treasure forever.
I had the great blessing of being placed with a family that included me in their weekly Sunday excursions. The first full Sunday, the father of my host family, took me to the Mary and Margaret Monastery, then to Bender and Tiraspol, Transnistria (the pro-Russian breakaway region of Moldova), where we joined his daughter and son-in-law at a large public pool. It was like a trip to the former Soviet Union, and was absolutely fascinating.
On the second Sunday the whole family visited the ancient, partially underground Orthodox Church in the center of the town where our program is based, went out to lunch, then visited a winery near the River Nistria. On our third Sunday, we all went to a very fancy wine festival southwest of Chișinău. After my stay, I spent several days in Chișinău, but the father of my host family picked me up at my BnB there on Sunday morning for a day at the monastic and natural wonder of Orheiul Vechi, including attending the rock/folk Festival Lupilor.
My host family were exceptionally hospitable, but such hospitality is perhaps not unusual in Moldova. I found people very welcoming, curious, and willing to help. That said, Moldovans' public face might be described as "slavic tough and stern." But that is just until you have even a small reason to develop some sort of relation with them. Another note: Not that many people speak English. It is well worth any volunteer's efforts to learn some Romanian and/or Russian. I think my experience would have been much harder and less enjoyable had I not started learning Romanian eight months before my arrival.
Svetlana, the founder, director, chief promoter and engine of the school and its related Center for Developing International Relationships, is an amazingly energetic and creative person. She is passionate about increasing her students' opportunities and providing them with an educational and experiential "step-up," not least for those from backgrounds who might place them "at risk."
What was your funniest moment?
Our host father asked what I thought of our excursion, on my first full weekend there, to a nearby monastery, fortress, and swimming pool in Transnistria. I intended to answer that I felt very happy with the whole experience, using the Romanian word, "fericit." But I got confused and used the word "frumos," instead. Basically, I said, "I feel really good-looking." Gheorghe looked confused, then burst out laughing when I finally reached for the right word.
What other participants should know
- I was not told specifics about my lodging and the volunteer work I would be doing until a week before I arrived.
- The folks at Love Volunteers were always responsive, but not especially proactive about checking in to see how I was doing. Luckily, I was doing great and did not need extra support.
- Many students leave town to spend time with out-of-town family during the latter half of July. This was also when the director left town for conferences. I was once left without much support for dealing with computer & printer glitches.
Response from Love Volunteers
Thanks for sharing your experience, Hamidh. I know this will help future volunteers to prepare for their internship in Delhi.
We appreciate your generous gift of time on this program and hope to work with you again in the future.
The team @ Love Volunteers