Excursion to Tipova and Saharna 2014

The last inch of good weather has encouraged the Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR), an implementing partner of UNHCR Moldova, to organize an excursion to Saharna-Ţipova monasteries. The initiative had the goal to acquaint newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers with the natural and historical beauties Moldova offers. Aiming at this, CCR invited Mr. Orest Dabija, a consultant in the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Culture RM, who agreed to guide the tour. Around 90 asylum seekers and refugees including children, CCR staff and EVS volunteers joined the excursion, discovering together the cultural heritage of Moldova.

Sport day for asylum seekers and international volunteers

Sport is a great opportunity to make friends and a way of getting people active and involved. Being moved from this belief, Ms. Sofia Gonzales, Spanish EVS volunteer currently working at the Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR), an implementing partner of UNHCR Moldova, agreed in advance with the administration of the Temporary Accommodation Centre and on September 1^st took the initiative of organizing a sport event for the residents of the Centre.

A pleasant getaway to the greenery of the «Dendrariu»

On Thursday, 7^th of August, the Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR) together with refugees, asylum seekers who are attending Romanian language classes at the Ion Creanga Pedagogical University and children participating in the Summer School visited the famous „Dendrariu” park in Chişinău, which was founded in 1973, on the former territory of the Botanic Garden. The 83 ha park is under national protection, because of the scientific and practical importance to the Republic of Moldova.

About 50 people took part in the visit and enjoyed the lovely weather, beautiful nature and the escape from the city noise. Besides that, the Romanian teacher, who also participated in the event, arranged a practical open-air lesson on the topic of nature.

CCR expresses its gratitude to the administration and Director of the park ‘Dendrariu’, Mr. Ion Uzun, for giving opportunity to refugees and asylum seekers to visit the park for free!

Traditional picnic in the village of Costeşti

     UNHCR Moldova together with its implementing partners hosted a perfect summer picnic for refugees, asylum seekers and local community. The event served as an opportunity to commemorate World Refugee Day in an informal meeting and to honour the courage and determination of families who have fled their homes because of persecution or violence. This year the traditional picnic took place on the 2nd of August in the village of Costeşti, district of Ialoveni.

       The picnic started with a briefing about the agenda of the day, a short introduction about the UNHCR support for persons of concern in Moldova and presentations of the Bureau for Migration and Asylum and UNHCR implementing partners: the Law Centre of Advocates (LCA), the Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR) and AVE COPIII.

Interview with Gabriela Roşca, a local volunteer at CCR

Gabriela Rosca, an 18-year-old Moldovan girl, who took initiative to become a volunteer at the Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR) and help vulnerable refugee/asylum seeker community during her summer vacation.

CCR appreciates efforts, help and work Ms. Gabriela did for refugee/asylum seeker children and women, and hopes to have her support in future.

1.Please give a brief description of the tasks involved in your volunteering position.

I think I will start with three words:”Helping all people”, with all that I can. My daily routine begins at 9.30, when I come to the Charity Centre, and every time I find there some of our children and start speaking with them. I ask, what their pleasures are or what they are interested in. During these hours I help CCR team a little bit and in the end of our day I prepare a sweet table for all the children. So, every day I come to the centre, I have to do a different work with different persons there. When I have free time, I communicate with refugees/asylum seekers and just stay and relax with other CCR volunteers.