Workshop for the World Refugee Day at the Galata gymnasium

    On 20th of May, the Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR), an implementing partner of UNHCR Moldova, together with its European volunteers organised a workshop at the Galata gymnasium, where refugees and asylum seekers study. The main idea of this event was to gather local children, refugees/asylum seekers and prepare a poster for the World Refugee Day, which will take place on 20th of June 2014 in ‘Stefan cel Mare’ park. In addition to that, it was very important to send a positive message from refugees and asylum seekers towards local community and to find out about integration of refugee/asylum seeker children in schools.
      The workshop began with a presentation by CCR staff about refugees/asylum seekers, UNHCR and its partners. Children were attentive and very willing to answer the questions. After that, proceeded the most interesting part – painting a poster. The enthusiasm and interest of the children made the poster very colourful and carrying a very important message: ‘Our power is in friendship and diversity’. 

Family Day – 15th May 2014

  The International Day of Families is celebrated on the 15th May each year. It was introduced by the United Nations in 1993, in order to reflect the importance the international community attaches to families, and promote awareness of issues that affect them.

       This year, the Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR) marked the occasion by inviting refugee families to take part in some of the festivities the city of Chisinau had to offer. Refugee families, staff and European volunteers at CCR joined many other local participants in front of the Maria Biesu National Theatre of Opera and Ballet for a small event commemorating families in Moldova. They enjoyed a performance of traditional Moldovan folk dance, performed enthusiastically (despite the rain!) by some local children. Speeches were also made by minister of Labour, Social Protection and Family, Mrs. Valentina Buliga and a representative of UNFPA Moldova, Mr. Ian McFarlane, showing appreciation for the strength and importance of families within Moldovan culture.  

     

Europe Day in Chisinau and Comrat – 10th and 17th May 2014

    On the 10th and 17th May 2014, in the framework of the EU-funded project, Quality Initiative in Eastern Europe and South Caucasus (QIEE) the Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR) and refugee community took part in Europe Day celebrations in the centre of Chisinau and Comrat, alongside its supporting organisation UNHCR Moldova. Europe Day is a European Union-led celebration of peace and unity, taking place on the 9th May each year.  It is celebrated across many countries in the European Union and its neighbours, raising awareness of the diversity of different European cultural highlights.

     Moldovan authorities and the Delegation of the European Union to Chisinau organised a ‘European town’ in the Central Square, full of stalls hosted by different European embassies and EU-related projects. Each stall had their own attractions; the British Embassy provided tea, the Spanish served paella and Spanish omelette, and the Belgians hosted a very popular barbecue! There was also a wide range of performances held on the main stage. The event was a great success, with hundreds of people attending and enjoying the spectacle, whilst also learning more about the European Union and its member states. 

    UNHCR hosted its own stall, alongside other UN agencies and international bodies. Visitors to the stall could collect a wide variety of information about UNHCR, refugees, asylum seekers and ask questions to staff and volunteers. There was also a quiz with questions related to UNHCR’s activities internationally and in Moldova. In addition, visitors could choose to have their names translated into Arabic and written in henna. There was also the opportunity to have different flags of the world face-painted by the European volunteers of CCR from the United Kingdom and Spain. All of these activities were very popular and successful, especially amongst children. There was always a queue of people waiting for their turn! UNHCR stall even received a visit from the Prime Minister of Moldova, Mr. Iurie Leanca, which was a great honour and privilege.