Redeeming Romania
Romania is currently redeeming its rich heritage following the collapse of an oppressive dictatorship. This charming country embodies the European spirit of past, present, and future. Picturesque castles and quaint farming villages contrast with cosmopolitan cities and ski resorts as the country strives to develop its economy after the fall of communism and its recent admission to the European Union. The Transylvania region in central Romania is home to many treasures, among them the idyllic town of Brasov, where our program is located. This quaint town is only 160 kilometers from the capital of Bucharest and exemplifies the fairy-tale medieval architecture and cobblestone streets of a traditional Eastern European town. Volunteer work will be centered in a village on the outskirts of Brasov, but there will be ample time to explore the town center as well as the countryside. Despite the fact that Romania’s free market has enabled economic growth and development for its people, ethnic minorities, including the Roma population, continue to be marginalized and subject to severe discrimination.
Work Project
The Roma people (also known as gypsies) are not often able to take advantage of Romania’s new economic opportunities due to severe discrimination, a lack of education, and official identity records. Globe Aware partners with local organizations that are working to help underprivileged Romanians fight against poverty and injustice. They target children, and at-risk families; particularly in Roma communities to help with a variety of initiatives.
During your volunteer week, you may work on a variety of projects including continuing improvements on a community center and kindergarten; as well as building homes in Roma communities. Volunteers may also work with needy children in various capacities.
Projects vary depending on the number of volunteers, which projects were finished with the prior group, what priorities have changed, weather conditions, which supplies are available, and often the interest and fitness level of the volunteers. For these reasons, specific projects are often not fixed until the week prior to your arrival and can even change upon arrival.
Click here to view a short video on this program.
Please note it may take a couple of minutes to buffer before viewing, but it does NOT download to your desktop.
Some of our Super Volunteer Coordinators
Food and Lodging
You will be staying in the newly built community center in the town of Tarlungeni, which is on the outskirts of Brasov. The community center includes a number of comfortable and cozy dorm-style rooms where volunteers will sleep. There are separate, brand-new bathroom facilities for men and women, as well as a kitchen and common area. This community center is operated by our partner organization, and you will have ample time to interact with the local children who use the center in their free time.
Meals will be taken with the group. Typical Romanian food includes mamaliga, a cornmeal dish that may be boiled, fried, or baked. Different varieties of soups and other meat and vegetable dishes abound. Wine is also a staple beverage, and regional varieties are plentiful.
Leisure and Activities
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.
Arranging Your Airfare
Volunteers should arrange to be picked up from our meet-up point in central Bucharest at 11 am on the Saturday that your program begins. The program ends at 11 am the following Saturday, so you would not want to book a flight that leaves earlier than 3 on the final Saturday of the program.
Safety and Security
Romania is politically stable and suffers from petty street crime similar to other major cities. Using common sense and not carrying large sums of money, passports, and bank cards in an easily accessible area should help deter thieves. More Safety and Security.
Want to volunteer for more than a week?
Upon registration, you will have a very detailed orientation packet sent to you with more information on the program, what to pack, etc.