Visit of the Ambassador of Sweden in Moldova to the Charity Center for Refugees

The Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR) received a special visit from the Ambassador of Sweden in Moldova, H. E. Mrs. Ingrid Tersman, and the second secretary of the Embassy of Sweden, Ms. Månstråle Dahlström, in the end of April. They had the opportunity to see CCR office and to know more about the services CCR is providing, as well as about the activities carried out by the Center on its premises and not only. The ambassador was very curious to understand which challenges and problems are the most important for the refugees and asylum seekers residing in the Republic of Moldova. The head of the UNHCR National Office, Mr. Octavian Mohorea, together with the CCR coordinator answered her multiple questions and discussed various issues concerning the refugees and asylum seekers. At the end of the discussion, CCR coordinator expressed his gratefulness for the interest of the Ambassador in the CCR’s activities and in the refugees’ and asylum seekers’ lives in Moldova.

Local and refugee children - together for peace

Charity Center for Refugees (CCR) organized an awareness event in the primary school of Mereni village on the 26th of April. In Mereni live four refugee families from Syria, Sudan and Armenia, whose children are attending the primary school. The event was moderated by Mrs. Veronica Chirita, the teacher of one of the refugee children. It was attended by approx. 70 pupils studying in the 2nd grade, Ms. Margareta Ursu representing the Moldavian Ministry of Culture, the deputy Mayor of Mereni village, Mrs. Aurelia Roşca, together with the school’s director, Mrs. Alexandra Cerî, other teachers of the school and members of the school staff, and also the refugees as parents of the children studying in Mereni.

Nowruz Celebration- supporting refugee’s traditions in Moldova

Nowruz, as well as the International Day of Nowruz (21^st March), is the celebration of the New Year according to astronomical solar calendar for Turkic and Iranian peoples. Novruz Bayram is a national tradition that has no direct link with the Islamic customs.

Traditions of celebrating Nowruz are practically the same throughout the region and are preserved for centuries. Except that, in the last ten years, in the CIS republics of Central Asia, Nowruz celebration was officially recognized as a day off. The main day of the festival is the first day-21^st of March. In the following thirteen days, people use to visit their relatives, buy and plant young trees, get together in cheerful companies on the background of the spring nature. On the day of Nowruz it is used to prepare seven dishes, mainly vegetative, while the most famous festive dish is samanak- dish prepared of germinated wheat germ.

CCR is celebrating the International Women's Day 

Charity Centre for Refugees celebrates every year, the most important national and international holidays. One of the most beautiful and expected event- the International Women's Day- was celebrated this year,  without any exception, at the CCR office.

On this beautiful occasion, CCR prepared an entertaining program for all the guests, which included games, merry dances, songs and poems recited by the most little ones for their mothers, as well as gifts for ladies. The event was attended by about 80 people, both women and children as well as men. Men were actively involved in various competitions designed to entertain the beautiful ladies, while all the children were eager to congratulate their moms with a poem or a little song. The feast was embellished with two Indian dances, one being performed with the participation of the CCR Belgium volunteer.

Refugees in Moldova make Martisors

Martisor is a feast celebrating the arrival of the spring, which occurs in the tradition of Moldovans, Romanians and neighboring populations. On this occasion, the 1^st March, people exchange Mărţişors, symbol of the good and welfare.

Martisor itself is a little piece of adornment tied to a lanyard wove of a white and red thread. People wear Martishors during the month of March, as a sign of the arrival of spring. Besides Martisor, ladies often get early spring flowers, the most representative being the snowdrops.