Hello everyone! First of all, welcome to reading about a volunteer experience that felt like a dream! Buckle up 😊
When I first saw the Unity project and read its description, I was immediately excited. I just knew I had to be part of this project. It was all about creating “unity,” just as its name suggests, and bringing people from different cultures together to spread the power of goodness. I applied, and finally, after a while, I received the much-anticipated acceptance. Let the adventure to Romania begin with our famous pink plane!
As we took our first step in Romania, we were overwhelmed by mixed emotions. On one hand, there was an overwhelming excitement and curiosity as the project was set to start the next day. We were about to meet volunteers from different countries and gain completely new experiences. On the other hand, a sense of uncertainty loomed in the air. In this unfamiliar country, where we didn’t speak the language, we would have to tackle challenges and unknowns. After buying our train tickets, we embarked on a long journey accompanied by the song “Made in Romania.” Our destination was Craiova, a city in Romania. After hours of traveling, we reached the accommodation that had been arranged for us. The stifling heat of that day is still etched in my memory. As fresh-faced volunteers who had traveled a long way, we settled into our rooms and drifted off into a deep sleep.
The next day marked the beginning of a week-long marathon. At the end of the week, we would disperse in groups to different cities across Romania. On the first day, volunteers from five different countries gathered under the guidance of our coordinator to meet each other. We then planned our days according to the program and reviewed what we would be doing. Since the Unity project focused on disadvantaged children, we spent the next seven days learning and developing activities we could carry out with kids. We learned about the “Giant Doll House” technique and built tiny cardboard houses in line with this method. With the houses that each volunteer made, we even organized a small exhibition.
Beyond that, we gained detailed insights into ESC projects, played creative games called “universal games,” created our own games, and made and edited TikTok videos summarizing our week. In our spare time, we strolled through the streets of Craiova and had the chance to explore the city. For me, one of the most captivating activities was the cultural night. As volunteers from different cultures, we taught each other our traditional dances and shared the food we had brought that represented our cultures. It was like a cultural explosion, and we witnessed vibrant moments that will stay with us for years. We learned how to unite as volunteers from different backgrounds, how to think collectively, and how to act in harmony.
After spending seven days together, we dispersed to different cities. I moved to a quaint town called Targu Frumos. For a whole month, I continued working on the project there alongside my fellow volunteers. We taught and applied the “Giant Doll House” technique and games we had learned during the first week in workshops at local schools. Working with children was an entirely new experience for me. This journey taught me how to think creatively, manage time effectively, persevere, and most importantly, embody the spirit of volunteering. Moreover, staying under the same roof with people from different cultures and working towards common goals deepened my sense of unity and solidarity. After the project ended, I found myself looking at life from a different perspective. If you’re looking for a turning point in your life, and want to closely examine various cultures while becoming a global citizen, you must volunteer at least once!
I discovered completely different horizons and dived into different worlds with this project, which I had the chance to participate in thanks to the Pi Youth Association. I would also like to thank all Pi Youth employees who gave us all their support and interest before and during the project.
Ayşegül Özdağ