Care & Community - MOLDOVA Volunteer Stories

Care in Moldova - Amelia Stevens

My experience in Moldova was full of surprises in terms of language, culture, and people - just about everything! I am so glad I came to Moldova and I have learned so much including how incredibly friendly and generous Moldovan people are. I will remember forever the friends I made and I would love to return to Moldova. I really wish I had stayed longer.

My placement was at Casa Gavroche, a centre for the rehabilitation of street children. My host mother Nina was the Director there which was helpful as we would travel into work together, usually by maxi taxi. There were about 16 children ranging from about age 3 to 14 at Casa Gavroche, many of them were there because their parents could not afford to look after them. Quite a few of the children came with their brothers and sisters. The staff were very friendly and helpful. I met my lovely friend Nastia there where she worked as a psychologist and we spent a lot of time together. Nastia spoke English well, but on some mornings when she was not there it could be difficult to communicate.

The centre did have a playground and a small hall but they were lacking in resources. Colouring pencils created much excitement as did magazines. I played with the younger children, with building blocks and puzzles. In most cases the children needed lots of attention and affection. I learned some vocabulary from the children and I helped with their English homework. The older children knew quite a few English words. I found the work sometimes challenging but always rewarding. I helped to sort out the mass of clothes that arrive at the orphanage and also worked in the kitchen, helping to serve borsch for lunch. The best day was Alex's 6th birthday as there was lots of cake and all the children were so excited which was a delight to see. At Gavroche every child's birthday is celebrated in a big way. Alex was adopted during my stay in Moldova, which was wonderful to see. Working with the children was good fun and I really miss them.

As well as volunteering in Casa Gavroche I also travelled with Nastia to her second job at the Moldovan family planning clinic - Neovita (New Life). This was a unique and unexpected bonus. The first week I was in Moldova I was part of a contraception lesson given to young Moldovans!

Many people I met could speak four or five languages. The majority of those I met in Moldova had degrees but there were few jobs and many worked abroad. For example, one friend I made John (Ion) was being interviewed for a job in Dubai whilst I was out there and my host father Nickoli worked in the Ukraine for the majority of the month. Before I went I spoke no Romanian or Russian but by the end of my trip I knew a number of Romanian phrases - goodnight (Noaptebuna), good day, how are you etc. I also learned the Moldovan word for watermelon - Harbus. The Moldovan language is difficult to learn as it is a mixture of Russian and Romanian. I found Romanian easier to grasp and also improved my mime skills!

I realised that a fair amount of communication is non verbal - such as smiling. Even with people with who I shared no language with, like my generous host mother Nina, I was able to feel her good intent and friendliness. My host daughters were very accommodating also, Natalia and Elaina, they were very welcoming to me especially when I was nervous at first as it was my first time away from home. This was also true of my weekend away with Nastia's family in their village about an hour out of Chisinau. We made Moldovan pie together and walked by the river Nistro. Nastia's family were incredibly kind and I feel so privileged that I met them all. It was all an experience that I will treasure forever. Nastia's family worked incredibly hard on their farm, growing vegetables and then travelling to Chisinau to sell them often daily.

There is a big difference in the standard of living between the towns and the villages. Running water and an inside toilet are definitely things people in the West, including myself, take for granted but Nastia's family had neither. I made good firm friends with Nastia and her friend John; we spent a lot of time together during my month - we saw museums, several beautiful public parks and Chisinau Zoo.

Transport in Moldova was initially daunting but I mastered the trolleybuses eventually and soon knew my basic route between town, home and work. Gavroche was in Riscani and Nina's house was in Botanica. Chisinau's three McDonalds acted as useful landmarks. We were shown how to get round the city during the induction by Tatiana and Igor, two of the Projects Abroad staff. Maxi taxis were quick but you have to shove your way to the front in order to get off and shout whereas trolleybuses had designated stops. It was often a big bundle getting onto them. Despite being packed with people transport was generally reliable.

The Projects Abroad staff were very supportive. I felt so relieved to meet other volunteers on the flight, Anna and Judith, and to be met at the airport when we arrived. I met other lovely volunteers as well, from Australia and America. As for trips away I really enjoyed going to Odessa for the weekend, which was a fantastic trip as it was amazing to see the sun rise over the Black Sea. It made the long cramped overnight bus journey worthwhile. It's too difficult to choose my favourite moment but it's the people that I will remember forever. We also spend a few evenings at ballet and opera. This costs around 80 Lei, the equivalent of about £5. My host family were so generous and I felt very welcome. The Moldovan food was very hearty, often Borsch and Mamilga with large portions. Moldovan wine is also delicious.

I would love to go back and visit my friends and my host family. I will never forget my experience in Moldova.

Amelia Stevens

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